Are we ready to brood our first ducks?!

3bird

Crowing
5 Years
Apr 2, 2017
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Rockland, Maine
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Well....7-8 weeks seemed so far off, but today is the day we bring the recently hatched, 6 or 7 silver appleyards home! Here is our brooder set-up. Do we look ready? To be honest we are the most nervous about providing them water in a way that is both not too messy and makes it easy for them to drink/clean their nostrils.

For feed, we are using Dumor 19% chicken starter crumble (non-medicated). We also have Dumor Chicken Grit (insoluble/crushed granite), as we plan to offer greens in their water.

Any last minute recommendations would be greatly appreciated--we'll be picking up the ducklings this evening (any tips or tricks for transporting them home?)

!
 
Looks all good. Just watch that when they get they don't jump over the side! Also, it might be nice to have a selection of different breeds rather than have all the same one.
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Looks great...Just one tip...Use a bowl for feed...They are Ducks not Chickens...
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...They should not jump out..
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....Mine sure cant....Plus do not heat the entire Brooder...They need to choose on their own...
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Thanks. A couple folks had suggested using that feeder so they didn't walk all over/fowl/spill the food.

The light is just over one corner. Do you think we need to adjust it? They are all snuggled up right now, but earlier they were moving freely about.
 
Looks great...Just one tip...Use a bowl for feed...They are Ducks not Chickens...:) ...They should not jump out..;) ....Mine sure cant....Plus do not heat the entire Brooder...They need to choose on their own...:) ...

Thanks. A couple folks had suggested using that feeder so they didn't walk all over/fowl/spill the food. 

The light is just over one corner. Do you think we need to adjust it? They are all snuggled up right now, but earlier they were moving freely about.



If they are moving around happily and then use the heat for cuddling they should be great...If they are getting as far away from the heat then they are too warm...:)..

Best wishes...
 
Well....7-8 weeks seemed so far off, but today is the day we bring the recently hatched, 6 or 7 silver appleyards home! Here is our brooder set-up. Do we look ready? To be honest we are the most nervous about providing them water in a way that is both not too messy and makes it easy for them to drink/clean their nostrils. For feed, we are using Dumor 19% chicken starter crumble (non-medicated). We also have Dumor Chicken Grit (insoluble/crushed granite), as we plan to offer greens in their water. Any last minute recommendations would be greatly appreciated--we'll be picking up the ducklings this evening (any tips or tricks for transporting them home?) !
You will want to make sure you get some nutritional yeast started asap as well. They really NEED added niacin when your feeding chick feed. Some use niacin capsules( harder to find) but 150 mg per gallon of water. Must be plain niacin- not flush free- or time released. I and many others use nutritional yeast- has alot more niacin than brewers yeast. For this you add 1 tablespoon per cup of feed. Without it leg and wing problems are very common. Looking forward to a picture of them
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You will want to make sure you get some nutritional yeast started asap as well.
They really NEED added niacin when your feeding chick feed.
Some use niacin capsules( harder to find) but 150 mg per gallon of water. Must be plain niacin- not flush free- or time released.
I and many others use nutritional yeast- has alot more niacin than brewers yeast.
For this you add 1 tablespoon per cup of feed.
Without it leg and wing problems are very common.
Looking forward to a picture of them
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That's great info. Thanks. I had not heard of nutritional yeast versus brewer's yeast. I'll look for it. I'll post some pictures of the little guys soon. They are very, very active and seem to be adjusting well. :)
 
Their breasts are pretty continuously wet as they splash in the water, but they don't seem cold and the bedding is dry. They have big duck cuddle balls under the heating lamp for a while and then they are back to exploring, eating and splashing. They can't get in the water, but they do manage to get wet.
 
Yep, many people use brewers yeast . It works good too. But if you can find nutritional it does have quite a bit more niacin.
Most ducklings always manage to be a little bit wet. As long as they arent shivering and cold tho its okay. Sounds like yours are doing good!
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