Buying an existing flock

[rjmyooper]

Khaki Campbell Ducks So I'm new to Ducks and I have an opportunity to buy an existing flock of Khaki Campbells. There is 4 Hens and 1 Drake. They say they're only 3 years old, so at that age I would have to raise some chicks right away. Being new, I would need to learn how to raise chicks.
So what are the things I should look out for?

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

3 is middle age for ducks and probably not much laying time left. Are you sure they are only three? Have they shown you eggs? Why are they disposing of the flock? How much are they? I have too many questions sorry.

 

[rjmyooper]

3 is middle age for ducks and probably not much laying time left. Are you sure they are only three? Have they shown you eggs? Why are they disposing of the flock? How much are they? I have too many questions sorry.

They have sheep and want to get rid of the small animals.

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

Ok. Just be careful, the worst thing that can happen is you have ducks

 

[rjmyooper]

Ok. Just be careful, the worst thing that can happen is you have ducks

My concern is existing problems and age. They want $120 for the 5. $30 each for the Hens and the Drake for free.

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

My concern is existing problems and age. They want $120 for the 5. $30 each for the Hens and the Drake for free.

Yikes that's really expensive. For here anyway, I don't know your location. Its up to what its worth to you.

 

[rjmyooper]

I might just buy 4 Cayuga day old Ducklings from purelypoultry.com, but I don't know how to raise Ducklings. I'm guessing that I could buy a large plastic tote with a cover, put a blanket in it when they're real young and then move them to a pen in the basement. Do they eat pellets at a real young age?

 

[indianaducks]

Here, I bought 3 teenage (like maybe 4-5 month old) hens for $10 each. I can't imagine spending that much money on older ducks that don't even have that much laying time left.

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

Babies are pretty easy to raise. Be sure you get sexed females. You can brood them in a kiddie pool. I use puppy pee pads for bedding. You need a heat source in the beginning such as a heat lamp. You start at 90 degrees and drop 5 degrees a week. Use crumbles for the first few weeks. Purina flock raiser is a good choice. You can do lots of research on this site and get the book storeys Guide to raising ducks by Dave Holderreid. They are messy and a lot of work but can go outside at about 4 weeks. You need a secure coop at night to protect from predators. I would suggest more research before you get babies or adults.

 

[RHF]

My concern is existing problems and age. They want $120 for the 5. $30 each for the Hens and the Drake for free.

Yeah that's a lot for their age, where I live I can buy year old hens for 10-15