Attention duck experts: NEED YOUR HELP. Newbie questions!

[Nebraskagirl]

We recently rescued a duck. My nephew found it wandering the streets in our local small town. He scooped it up and notice its wings were clipped. To make a long story short I begged my husband for it. We were planning on starting chickens and ducks this coming spring as we don't have a coop (we have the plans were getting the lumber!) and he agreed. A couple days later I bought another duck (the lighter colored one) for $7 at a local duck/chicken farm to keep the brown duck company. They get along great, great with our small daughters and here are my questions for all you experts:

1. I am fairly confident on their breeds but wondering if I am correct: Is the brown female a Khaki Campbell? Is the lighter colored one a Welsh Harlequin?

2. The lighter colored duck was born this spring so when should I expect eggs? Autumn? Also, can you tell the age of the other darker duck? Any way for me to find out?

3. They are both kept out during the day with me keeping an eye on them. We have a small kiddie swimming pool as well for them. At night they are kept in a locked large dog Vari Kennel with alfalfa straw lining the bottom (this is temporary until the coop is built!) Will this affect their egg laying? (NOTE: We also have 10x10x10x10 wire fencing top covered for their protection as well and the kennel sits inside this at night. We have all kinds of wild animals at night in the country here! )

4. Give me any and all advice about ducks you got. Here are some pics of Laverne (the lighter one) and Shirley (the brown.)

 

[LLCoyote]

To me, it looks like you're pretty close on the ducks breeds though I have WH and that one seems like it may be crossed with something.

If you are right on the breeds then yes they will lay eggs and probably year round. Most start laying around 5 months but to be honest, ducks lay in their own time. Each duck is different when it comes to when they start to lay. They looks like adults to me, so they may start laying soon or it may be another month or so.

They actually look really healthy to me. I personally use pine shavings for bedding instead of straw, they cost about the same and are just easier to work with in my opinion. Just give them some layer pellets, some oyster shell, maybe boost their systems with a vitamin supplement, and keep an eye on them. They like frozen peas and my ducks love cat food (might not want to give them a ton of that). Refrain from things with lots of starch in them. White bread and potatoes are a no no.

That's really about it in my experience but I've only owned ducks for a year. No doubt other people will speak up and answer any other questions you have. Have fun! Ducks are really great little creatures <3 you won't regret your decision to rescue them

 

[Kevin565]

1. They look like it could be a KC and WH but I haven't personally raised those breeds so can't assure you they are pure

2. Yes your girl will most likely lay you eggs in fall maybe a little earlier. Sorry I don't think there is a way to pin point the age of your KC.

3. No it should not affect egg laying

4. Congrats on the ducks! As long as you can deal with the mess they are a lot of fun to keep around

 

[Amiga]

Welcome to Duckdom!

Have a look at the stickies thread. I have found that helpful and amusing.

 

[Nebraskagirl]

Thanks y'all! I have been giving them Layena crumbles with 16 percent protein (meant for laying chickens) and they free range (within sight) during the day. I also mix in some cracked corn and give them meal worms in the pool as treats, which is FUNNY to watch them attack them. The bedding is free from a friend who has a LOT of it she no longer needs. I have already learned a lot. My ducks don't seem to want to eat fruit. I tried grapes, blueberries and frozen peas and they pass them over for the insects and bugs and grass during the day. I was just curious as to whether or not them being the same large kennel at night would affect laying eggs? It is large enough for them to comfortably stretch out side by side...meaning they are not cramped.

 

[Amiga]

My ducks are lukewarm about fruit, and forget anything red. sigh. No, I do not know why. Green things, yes. Red things, no.

I sprinkle some flax seed on their feed from time to time, as well as a little millet, wheat berries, other higher protein seeds than corn. Mine get all the extra starches they want with our pea treats. (c:

They lay in their own special places that they decide on in their shared space, so I get to go on egg hunts every day. Very rarely do eggs get hidden.

 

[scrapingran]

I have a couple of Pekins that adore strawberries...