A few questions about a duck enclosure and my ducklings

[RollinWithTheStones]

I have two ducks, which I think are female. They are Pekin and Cayuga (possibly). I honestly never thought the eggs would hatch so I'm totally new at this LOL.


Will they be able to get along fine without a male?

Do these ducks need a big swimming area or will they be fine with a kiddie pool?

What kind of house will work best for them? I was thinking of just using a dog house since it's the two of them with some hay inside it.

Will it be okay if I only make it about 4ft tall? Do they need a taller enclosure?

I'm in Ohio and the winters are kinda cold, should I move them in the coop during the winter or should they just stay in their own enclosure?

When they outgrow chick feed do I just give them flock raiser or what?

Here are Snow White and Cinderella

 

[mrpekinduck]

They do not need a male. Predators will eat them so they need a safe in closure. Purina duck chow is fine. When they start laying eggs feed layer feed. A dog house is fine but needs an enclosed wire run. Ducklings need heat sources so make sure they keep warm.

 

[Amiga]

I have two ducks, which I think are female. They are Pekin and Cayuga (possibly). I honestly never thought the eggs would hatch so I'm totally new at this LOL.


Will they be able to get along fine without a male?

Do these ducks need a big swimming area or will they be fine with a kiddie pool?

What kind of house will work best for them? I was thinking of just using a dog house since it's the two of them with some hay inside it.

Will it be okay if I only make it about 4ft tall? Do they need a taller enclosure?

I'm in Ohio and the winters are kinda cold, should I move them in the coop during the winter or should they just stay in their own enclosure?

When they outgrow chick feed do I just give them flock raiser or what?

Here are Snow White and Cinderella

Awwww

Since they are on chick starter, add some brewer's yeast (a sprinkling) to their feed, or add some niacin (regular, not no-flush or timed release) to their water, 100 to 150 mg per gallon for their first ten weeks.

All girls are fine. I have nine runners and two buffs. All girls.

The kiddie pool should be fine.

The dog house,as long as it is extremely predator resistant, should be fine, and yes, I would keep them in a warmer place in winter. My runners do not read books, so they don't know that they should be fine below 40F. But they do not thrive at colder temperatures, so they go into the walkout basement when the nights are below 40F. It's the easiest, safest solution for us. The thought of running wires out to a wooden house with a foot of wood shavings in it made me shudder.

The runners outdoor house is four feet tall, which works even with the very deep bedding we use.

Many people use Flock Raiser, some say Mazuri Waterfowl is the best, mine seem to do fine with Blue Seal Organic Layer.

 

[RollinWithTheStones]

Awwww

Since they are on chick starter, add some brewer's yeast (a sprinkling) to their feed, or add some niacin (regular, not no-flush or timed release) to their water, 100 to 150 mg per gallon for their first ten weeks.

All girls are fine. I have nine runners and two buffs. All girls.

The kiddie pool should be fine.

The dog house,as long as it is extremely predator resistant, should be fine, and yes, I would keep them in a warmer place in winter. My runners do not read books, so they don't know that they should be fine below 40F. But they do not thrive at colder temperatures, so they go into the walkout basement when the nights are below 40F. It's the easiest, safest solution for us. The thought of running wires out to a wooden house with a foot of wood shavings in it made me shudder.

The runners outdoor house is four feet tall, which works even with the very deep bedding we use.

Many people use Flock Raiser, some say Mazuri Waterfowl is the best, mine seem to do fine with Blue Seal Organic Layer.

Where do I find brewer's yeast and niacin?

The dog house will be in a predator proof run so that should take care of it, they're in the chicken coop now with no problems. Can they eat regular chicken layer feed when they get older? If so that would save a lot of time. I don't buy purina.

 

[Amiga]

When they are older, chicken feed should work fine. Ducklings need much more niacin than do chicks, for nervous system development. Brewer's yeast and niacin are supplements that can often be found in pharmacies, some grocery stores, health food stores, and online.

 

[jessiduck]

Your ducks should be fine without a drake (male) around!
It's actually easier since you won't have to worry about him being aggressive or having more duckies!
I wouldn't advise putting your ducklings in water yet, but when they're older they only need a kiddy pool at best.
All ducks really need is something deep enough to clean their eyes and nose out- they don't need to be submerged.
For winter , their enclosure won't be warm enough so you can either build a coop or buy this dog house off of Lowes
I'm going to use it for our 3 indian runners and it will fit them just fine even as adults!
I wish you best of luck with your babies! Enjoy them!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.lowes.com/pd_42252-60636...br|0||p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&facetInfo=

 

[RollinWithTheStones]

cool thanks everyone

 

[Ilovemyduckies]

they do not need a male, I had two females for a several months no problem.

They will be fine with a kiddie pool. i use a plastic sand box that is not as deep and kiddie pools

I use a dog house, so that should be fine.

I have had mine about 2 ft tall, so that should be perfectly fine.

they can stay outside during the winter, just make sure that shelter is available.

I feed my adult ducks chicken feed.

Cute duckling