An acquaintance of mine e-mailed me this morning asking if I could possibly take three six week old ducklings. I said sure, since at six weeks they can happily march around the yard and enjoy the pond...and because I think they are just so darned cute.
Unfortunately...he has no idea what they are!
They're either Mallards or Rouen ducklings, that much I'm sure of. But which breed they are exactly...I haven't a clue. It's unfortunately been a while since I've kept Rouen ducklings around so my memory of the breed is vague. These guys seem rather smallish, but in comparison to my two rather large Pekin's, everything seems kinda small
They have some pretty hefty claws on their feet. One is definitely a hen, one definitely a drake, and the third can't seem to make up it's mind yet. Sounds like it's voice is changing, so either it's a late quacker or an early drake.
They're just getting in the wing feathers. I'm kinda leaning towards Mallard ducklings, it seems like my Rouens where a lot larger at that stage. More like hefty, like a young Pekin, versus the smallness of these guys. Perhaps their stunted Rouens
If they do turn out to be Mallards, do I need a permit to keep them? Do I need to clip them to keep them from migrating to the Bahama's for the winter? Do they need different food (I'm feeding Purina Flock Raiser crumbles)? Do they brood well? Lay many eggs or few?
At the moment they're all in the chicken tractor so they can accumulate to the new yard better. They have four fuzzy bunnies to keep them company (they all have previous experience in the 'raising' of ducklings and chickens). Plus a biiiig Tupperware container of water to keep them amused for the time being.
Unfortunately...he has no idea what they are!
They have some pretty hefty claws on their feet. One is definitely a hen, one definitely a drake, and the third can't seem to make up it's mind yet. Sounds like it's voice is changing, so either it's a late quacker or an early drake.
They're just getting in the wing feathers. I'm kinda leaning towards Mallard ducklings, it seems like my Rouens where a lot larger at that stage. More like hefty, like a young Pekin, versus the smallness of these guys. Perhaps their stunted Rouens
If they do turn out to be Mallards, do I need a permit to keep them? Do I need to clip them to keep them from migrating to the Bahama's for the winter? Do they need different food (I'm feeding Purina Flock Raiser crumbles)? Do they brood well? Lay many eggs or few?
At the moment they're all in the chicken tractor so they can accumulate to the new yard better. They have four fuzzy bunnies to keep them company (they all have previous experience in the 'raising' of ducklings and chickens). Plus a biiiig Tupperware container of water to keep them amused for the time being.
