aducklings growing fast!

[quakingtons]

Hello everyone. I am a First time ducky owner and have 2 cute and quirky pekin ducklings. I have had them in theor brooding box since I got them, but it is now too small...theu grow soooo fast. They don't seem happy in there but I know they're too young to be moved outside to a big house...I don't know what to do in this weird transition. Please help, thank you P.S. when do I switch foods to higher protien and can incorporate veggies in their food?

 

[Amiga]

A bigger brooder is in order. Try to be creative and patient. It's really only for several weeks.

Have you seen the sticky on Raising Ducklings? The link to stickies is at the top of the Duck Forum in blue letters.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/750869/raising-and-caring-for-ducklings#post_10611711

Actually, ducklings need higher protein and you drop the protein levels as they grow.

 

[quakingtons]

@Amiga
Ok so what did you do when they were getting bigger? What should I use because I do not have a lot of rokm for something huge inside my room, but I know the porch in my backyard is too hot. I'm in florida.
That link is perfect for the food protein, thank you.

 

[Amiga]

Since I am not there please forgive any ridiculous ideas.

Could you temporarily move some things around in the room?

I got a puppy playpen and 6 mil plastic that I put on the bottom and a foot up the side to catch poop and flung food.

Then towels on top of the plastic, a water catcher and head washer in a pie pan. And of course food bowl.

 

[quakingtons]

@AmigaForgive me if I take way too long to respond, I work doubles at work sometimes :'(.

I can definitely move stuff around! That idea is great. I just have a couple more questions though. What is a 6mil, a footup, and a water catcher?

Also why do you use towels instead of hay or pine shavings?
Thank you for the help!

 

[Amiga]

@AmigaForgive me if I take way too long to respond, I work doubles at work sometimes :'(.

I can definitely move stuff around! That idea is great. I just have a couple more questions though. What is a 6mil, a footup, and a water catcher?

Also why do you use towels instead of hay or pine shavings?
Thank you for the help!

6 mil is the thickness of the plastic sheeting. It comes in long rolls. So it covered the floor and then the edges went one foot up the sides of the puppy pen.

My runners were shavings eaters and the shavings we had were very very aromatic and bothered our own breathing.

 

[quakingtons]

@Amiga
Oh got it! Where did you buy the plastic?
These are all great ideas! It helps, I'll take a pic of it when I complete it this week and post it here.

 

[Amiga]

I got a roll at a big box store (like Home Depot, Lowes, whatever you have out your way). You may be able to find it at a hardware store.

 

[quakingtons]

:yiipchick. You are the best! @Amiga

 

[Amiga]

I just remember we had Brooder I, Brooder II, and Brooder III! Just as I got one all set, they'd outgrow it! Three months they were in the house.