Brand new duck owner!

[nursebecky99]

I am new to ducklings but I simply couldn’t resist. So they are brooding with some 1.5 wk old chicks, getting along well so far.

But, I have no clue how old these babies are. Khaki Campbell ducklings... any guess on age? And when will I start to see feathering? Still completely covered in brown fuzzy down.

 

[chickens really]

Ducklings need a deeper water container than that chicken water font. Plus Ducklings require different feed than Chicks. Ducklings create water mess and it's not good for Chicks.
I would separate and Brood in a different Brooder.
Look to be about a week or more old..

 

[dpenning]

I had my ducklings and chicks together for the first 4 days but then one morning one of my chicks looked like it got picked on by the ducks. She had crusty dried food on the back of her head and back. I separated them and cleaned her up but she died that day. I won’t ever try keeping them together again.

 

[Miss Lydia]

@nursebecky99 ducklings can eat chick starter same as chicks but you'll need to supplement with some form of niacin because chick starter doesn't have enough niacin for water fowl so the recommendation is to get an all flock feed [crumble] because it is formulated for all poultry and has the right amount of niacin. Purina makes one called Flock Raiser. the chicks can eat it too and you won't have to change feed just put out oyster shell for when they begin to lay.

Adorable babies!! Enjoy.

 

[nursebecky99]

I am using the purina “all flock” section at least I’ve done that right.

The water fount is deep enough that the ducks can dunk their bill entirely and inside brooder it’s on a screen over top a paint tray to catch majority of their splashing.

I will definitely keep an eye out for picking, so far they seem fine. I am home for 6 days before work so hoping they declare themselves as being able to play nice or not by then.

 

[Enigmius]

I am using the purina “all flock” section at least I’ve done that right.

The water fount is deep enough that the ducks can dunk their bill entirely and inside brooder it’s on a screen over top a paint tray to catch majority of their splashing.

I will definitely keep an eye out for picking, so far they seem fine. I am home for 6 days before work so hoping they declare themselves as being able to play nice or not by then.

Sounds like you are on the right track. I’m a new Duck parent too(7 weeks) and this site has been super helpful and the people kind.
That waterer is what I used when they were that tiny but I had to quickly change to plastic tubs(used sour cream containers) with holes cut into the lid because they grew so fast and could no longer get their whole head under water. Needless to say I had to increase the tub sizes with holes multiple times. Now it’s a huge salad bowl with a lid. I change that twice a day.

Cheers.

 

[nursebecky99]

Sounds like you are on the right track. I’m a new Duck parent too(7 weeks) and this site has been super helpful and the people kind.
That waterer is what I used when they were that tiny but I had to quickly change to plastic tubs(used sour cream containers) with holes cut into the lid because they grew so fast and could no longer get their whole head under water. Needless to say I had to increase the tub sizes with holes multiple times. Now it’s a huge salad bowl with a lid. I change that twice a day.

Cheers.

We have 65-70deg at night minimum temps and 85-95 during day. When can they be without heat? My chicks do fine around two weeks old.

Can you post pics of the waterers you use when bigger?

 

[llombardo]

I was just looking at my guys when they were babies. I kept chickens and ducks together for a long time. Once they required more water, mine lived in the bathtub until I could get them outside. I have 2 khakis and they were a couple weeks old when I got them. They all still get along and I let them visit each other. They are seperated by netting.

When they were small I used an old cat water fountain. The holes were just big enough for them and it was the least messy.

 

[llombardo]

I almost grabbed a couple more ducks yesterday but I was afraid I'd get a male with my luck. So I talked myself out of it, out loud with people right next to me...lol

 

[nursebecky99]

Well a bathtub is definitely not an option since we only have one BR in our house.