Baby Duckies!! Brooder questions

[Bakbuk]

Hey y'all we are getting ducklings from Meyer hatchery in about two weeks! We currently have chicks in the brooder but they'll be moved out by the time the ducks get here. This isn't our first experience owning ducks (we have several that we bought as adults) but it IS our first time brooding waterfowl and undoubtedly some things are going to be different from raising chicks. I've heard that duckies are messier and require a different type of waterer (one they can dunk their whole head in so they can clean out their nares) but is anything else different? What would you recommend for feed? Anything else about general brooding that is different?

Thanks in advance for your advice and info! This is exciting!!

 

[SilverBirds]

Here is a list of things to help you:

Ducklings to require a slightly different care then chicks. First, they are messy. DO NOT underestimate when I say messy. They have to have water when eating otherwise they will choke. This means they are mixing water in their food and food in their water. They will also try to swim and splash in the water. Then they also like pooping in the water. This means you have a mushy poopy wet food mess all in the brooder. So number one, make sure they have a water bowl they can dip their heads in, but can't sit in. Number two, you can feed them food specially for ducklings or you can buy unmedicated chick feed and add niacin to it. I buy brewers yeast and add it to the chick food but their are other supplements too. Number three, ducklings have sensitive legs that can be broken easy. Make sure they have a non slippery easy to walk on surface in the brooder. Number four, they grow FAST. Make sure you have a big enough space for them to grow.

You can let your ducklings have supervised swim time. I normally let my start at day two. Just monitor them to make sure they aren't getting too tired. Thirty minutes to an hour is a good start. Make sure to dry each one off and place under a heater so they don't get chilled.

Good luck!

 

[Bakbuk]

Here is a list of things to help you:

Ducklings to require a slightly different care then chicks. First, they are messy. DO NOT underestimate when I say messy. They have to have water when eating otherwise they will choke. This means they are mixing water in their food and food in their water. They will also try to swim and splash in the water. Then they also like pooping in the water. This means you have a mushy poopy wet food mess all in the brooder. So number one, make sure they have a water bowl they can dip their heads in, but can't sit in. Number two, you can feed them food specially for ducklings or you can buy unmedicated chick feed and add niacin to it. I buy brewers yeast and add it to the chick food but their are other supplements too. Number three, ducklings have sensitive legs that can be broken easy. Make sure they have a non slippery easy to walk on surface in the brooder. Number four, they grow FAST. Make sure you have a big enough space for them to grow.

You can let your ducklings have supervised swim time. I normally let my start at day two. Just monitor them to make sure they aren't getting too tired. Thirty minutes to an hour is a good start. Make sure to dry each one off and place under a heater so they don't get chilled.

Good luck!

Thank you so much! This was helpful.

 

[Bakbuk]

Number three, ducklings have sensitive legs that can be broken easy. Make sure they have a non slippery easy to walk on surface in the brooder.

So just normal bedding like straw or shavings?

 

[SilverBirds]

So just normal bedding like straw or shavings?

Yes, that's good. Some people use newspaper, puppy pads, or mats which are slip hazards.

 

[Bakbuk]

Yes, that's good. Some people use newspaper, puppy pads, or mats which are slip hazards.

I can imagine. No way I'm using that stuff.

 

[rjmyooper]

Here is a list of things to help you:

Ducklings to require a slightly different care then chicks.

...four, they grow FAST. Make sure you have a big enough space for them to grow.

You can let your ducklings have supervised swim time. I normally let my start at day two. Just monitor them to make sure they aren't getting too tired. Thirty minutes to an hour is a good start. Make sure to dry each one off and place under a heater...

Spectacular and scary advice. 1st year for me, and I've chosen Ducks exclusively for eggs.

 

[Bakbuk]

Spectacular and scary advice. 1st year for me, and I've chosen Ducks exclusively for eggs.

Why scary?

 

[rjmyooper]

Why scary?

The messy mess. Poopy, food in water dish.

 

[Chicken poppy]

Here is a list of things to help you:

Ducklings to require a slightly different care then chicks. First, they are messy. DO NOT underestimate when I say messy. They have to have water when eating otherwise they will choke. This means they are mixing water in their food and food in their water. They will also try to swim and splash in the water. Then they also like pooping in the water. This means you have a mushy poopy wet food mess all in the brooder. So number one, make sure they have a water bowl they can dip their heads in, but can't sit in. Number two, you can feed them food specially for ducklings or you can buy unmedicated chick feed and add niacin to it. I buy brewers yeast and add it to the chick food but their are other supplements too. Number three, ducklings have sensitive legs that can be broken easy. Make sure they have a non slippery easy to walk on surface in the brooder. Number four, they grow FAST. Make sure you have a big enough space for them to grow.

You can let your ducklings have supervised swim time. I normally let my start at day two. Just monitor them to make sure they aren't getting too tired. Thirty minutes to an hour is a good start. Make sure to dry each one off and place under a heater so they don't get chilled.

Good luck!

Ducks are super messy, water + ducks = chaos