Any tips for someone new to raising ducklings?

[newtochickening]

We recently got two Muscovy (likely) ducklings. Does anyone have any tips for raising them (in comparison to raising baby chicks)?

 

[YodaBat]

Safe house, clean LOL drinking water, mucking water, proper duck food\kritter foraging time with greens, space, and you. Popcorn goes a long way but goes fast.

 

[Quatie]

I didn't raise muscovies, but other ducklings. You want water deep enough for them to put their head in. That is how they clean their eyes and noses. I put a tray under the water dish to catch splashes water, and it will reduce wet bedding. You want to keep the food and water on opposite sides. It helps keep the food cleaner. Otherwise it will turn into a soupy mess. Make sure your food has plenty of naicin in it, ducks need it for proper development and chicks don't. Also make sure it is unmedicated food.

You can also give them baths pretty early, but muscovies are not as big into swimming. If you let them swim at a young age, just make sure the water is warm and provide heat afterwards. They don't have the water protection at that age.

Otherwise they are messy, but so much fun!

 

[Chickmgnet]

WATCH YOUR STEP!

 

[Ted_Harrell]

Yeah those muscovies have some claws!

 

[SkyeT]

Since muscovies are larger than other ducks, they will grow larger faster. Be prepared for that. I think ours looked like everyone else until about 6 weeks of age, and then it's like they exploded and doubled in size over night and dominated the box.

The niacin issue is the biggest thing. Making sure their feed has plenty of this will go a long way.

 

[Ella_r_ab]

We recently got two Muscovy (likely) ducklings. Does anyone have any tips for raising them (in comparison to raising baby chicks)?

I’ve read many of the other supplies but a few point I’ve noticed I wanted to just point out are SO important that I didn’t know when I first started. First off is the niacin. It’s is SO important to raising duckies and muscovys. You can find it in bulk stores or online. Another one is to take your pair to swim a little bit In water. Their feet get dry so easy. The last one I think would be drying them after the bath and making sure they have the right temperature heat for their breed)