Chicks and baby ducks?

[renae]

if you want to keep them in the kiddie pool to try it out just make sure they are away from drafts and that they are warm enough if they huddle all together then they are to cold and need more heat you can try lowering the bulb to give them that but being that they are only a day old you should watch them closely and make sure they get enough heat you may want to try the plastic bin for the first week or two if you can that would make sure they stay warm they shouldnt be huddled together that is your sign it is to cold

 

[65browneyes]

Quote:
I remember eating duck eggs as a kid. I really liked them. As I recall, they were richer than chicken eggs, and of course, much larger.

Good luck with your ducks!!

 

[SkeeredChicken]

I see alotta people talking about medicated chick feed. I myself find it irresponsible to use it. Here's why: the abuse of antibiotics can lead to antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria. I personally dont use medicated starter. I feel antibiotics should only be used to treat, not to "prevent." It's most effective that way. Nevertheless, It's your choice.

ref: http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/anti_resist.html Google "antibiotic resistance" for more info.

 

[AccidentalFarm]

I cound be wrong, but I don't believe that all medicated starters contain antibiotics.

 

[amporter]

Are you sure it is a mallard or is it a rouen, the ones that look like mallards but don't fly. Just curious. I have raised Pekins 2 yrs ago. They were so much fun! Unforunately they adopted our goats last fall, and I counldn't lure them out of the goat pen and one day a dog (or other) got them. I just got 5 more and 2 rouens I think, and 8 chicks from the feed store. I have them in separate empty bunny cages 2x4x2 with a light wired in the center, a piece of towel to stand on (to be washed),water and feeder off to the side, a part of a plastic bin with a opening cut in it filled with pine shavings. Over and around it I have towels and a fleece blanket wrapped. It's working good! All are happy and alive. Oh Pekins get big fast, be prepared to have a place for them within a month. They are fullgrown then. Males are quiter and females quack. Last time when they were getting their feathers and changing their voices I thought one was a mute- he was the boy.

 

[backyard redneck]

i think it is a mallard. the feed store guy said it was a mallard but he has been wrong beofre when we got chicks. it sounds like you have a nice setup for yours. I am going to switch my ducks out of the cage today. i built an outdoor pen with the harware cloth and one end is a covered shelter. i did not put a top on it, will it need a top or cover for ducks? it is about 8feet long and 3feet wide with a plywood gate and hinges and i put out straw in-the feed guy said oat would be ok

 

[amporter]

The only reason I would put a cover on it I for preditor protection. I built something similar for the ducks only it was triangular for full protection and they'd go in their at night and when we were gone, if they weren't at the neighboring pond. You can train them too if you start early. I got to where I could clap my hands and they'd come running for feed in their house and and I'd put them up.


So cute. I have missed my ducks so much!

Here is the link for pics of a Rouen
http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/product/rouen.html

 

[backyard redneck]

thank you for the info.i have bought some
non-medicated chick food and they are doing fine.

 

[Dudley Designs]

My brother-in-law and I plan to start raising chicken, ducks, and maybe geese. I raised chickens + as a kid but remember very little. So my request is HELP. I want to have some better idea of the whole process from chicks to however long. Plus I want to have a few ducks and geese. Any help will be welcome. Please only real info cause I don't need bs.