About Ducks?

[Jayson_Black]

had plenty of chickens. I feel very confident about bringing home day or two old chicken hatchlings. but what about ducks. I really don't know anything about pet ducks other than I would love some.

What age can Duck hatchlings be taken home, and what differences in care would duck hatchlings need versus chicken hatchlings.

Also, do ducks need any other environmental things that chickens wouldn't or don't need? Other than a wading pool?

Thank you Oh yes. what do ducks eat. do they eat layer pellets? I doubt that somehow, but I thought Id ask.

Is there special duck pellets? similar to chicken layer pellets but for ducks?

 

[Welshies]

Ducks are very fun, but messy creatures.
Ducklings can be taken home as day olds
They can coexist with chickens but it is suggested you have seperate coops at nighttime, because ducks are so wet.
Ducks don't need roosts, but should have nest boxes and a pool. They also need drinking water containers deep enough to dip their beaks in, because without water to wash their nostrils, they can suffocate.
They'll need water everytime you feed them, as they use it to swallow food.
Ducklings can be fed 18-20% duckling grower from 0-14 weeks or 18-20% flock raiser from 0-14 weeks. If you feed them chick food they NEED a niacin supplement, usually brewer's yeast. At 14 weeks, you can switch them to an 18% all-flock feed with a side of oyster shell, or 18% duck layer feed.
Ducks are very wet so once they are 10 weeks old, you should keep their food and water out of the coop. They are better on bedding such as sand, wood pellets, or straw instead of shavings.
Do not let ducklings swim until they are fully feathered or they will become waterlogged and drown or die.
What are you wanting ducks for?

 

[Ravynscroft]

Ducklings can be brought home as day olds, just like chicks... ducklings until 10-12 weeks of age need higher Niacin than chicks, so a good all flock fedd like Purina Flock Raiser is best until they lay, or brewers yeast (not baking yeast) or nutritional yeast needs to be mixed in their feed, 1tblspn per cup of feed... at POL, yes they can have a layer feed like chickens...

Ducks always need a deep water dish, they need to always be able to dunk their heads to clear out their eyes and nares... brooding ducklings is similar to chicks, but they need a little less heat and they make a much bigger mess... waterers that they can dunk their heads into without climbing into is a must...

Best to read up as much as possible first, I will find some links to help you out...

 

[Ravynscroft]

Here's a whole post full of links for proper information about ducks...


https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/ducks-sticky-topics-index.256233/

 

[Jayson_Black]

hey guys. That was great information. Exactly the types of things I wanted to know. Now I gotta find some ducks. Perhaps I will consider buying internet duck eggs if I cant find a local breeder Thank you again.

 

[chickens really]

Hello..
Ducklings need quality feed specific for Ducklings.
They can begin to bath at two days old it stimulates the oil gland to produce oil for water proof Down and then feathers.
Water dishes deep enough to dunk heads into to clean nares and eyes ..Feed 24/7 till six weeks old and then they can go the night without. Peas and other veggies high in niacin is great . Dry Fish based Cat food is a great treat too.
Water needs to be provided if food is out or Ducks choke..

 

[Welshies]

Ducklings MUST be dried off if they are to go swimming before they are feathered

 

[chickens really]

Ducklings MUST be dried off if they are to go swimming before they are feathered

Huh?...Look at Wild Ducks..Momma does not carry a Beach towel...lol

 

[Welshies]

Huh?...Look at Wild Ducks..Momma does not carry a Beach towel...lol

She uses HER oil to keep them warm and alive.

 

[chickens really]

She uses HER oil to keep them warm and alive.

Huh.. ?