Completely new and no idea what we are getting into lol

[Djcoak]

My wife and I have a small 5.5 acre farm that till now has been limited to horses. We have about a 1/2 acre pond and wanted to get ducks. In our search for ducklings we came across 5 9 month old Pekins that were rescued from and animal hoarder. They have never even seen a pond that I know of.

So I am building a coop area in our barn for them as we get them next week. We actually took the 3 females and 2 female rouens that are from the same house

So the ducks seems skid dish, is it too late to imprint on them? What should we do when they arrive. What do we feed them? Any help is appreciated!!!!!

 

[Amiga]

First, make them a secure area that is fairly spacious - they will need to be in that area for a couple of weeks.

Everything wants to eat duck. Predators will go through anything they can, or under, or between, or over, anything to get to a duck or a part of a duck.

Once you have a secure area, then a way for them to bathe (no soap, but water), drink and eat. Spend a little time next to the pen talking to them and offer treats. There is a sticky listing good treats for ducks (link at the top of the Duck Forum in blue letters)

Congratulations, and thank you for taking in these ducks! They are likely to be frightened and depressed by the big changes in their lives. If they were part of a big flock, they have just lost most of their "family." It will take some time for them to acclimate. But bringing food, providing fresh water and company seems to work very well. Each duck is different, so see what works best. Assume they will need to be watched and minded very closely for over a month. Temporary fences are very good to have to direct them where you want them to go. Eventually, they will get the routine and not need them. Probably.

 

[Miss Lydia]

My wife and I have a small 5.5 acre farm that till now has been limited to horses. We have about a 1/2 acre pond and wanted to get ducks. In our search for ducklings we came across 5 9 month old Pekins that were rescued from and animal hoarder. They have never even seen a pond that I know of.

So I am building a coop area in our barn for them as we get them next week. We actually took the 3 females and 2 female rouens that are from the same house

So the ducks seems skid dish, is it too late to imprint on them? What should we do when they arrive. What do we feed them? Any help is appreciated!!!!!

So awesome of ya'll to give them a new start. and your doing good by building them a nice safe place to live especially at night, They will love the pond but they will really be afraid of everything when you first get them ducks don't like change and even though they will be coming to a much better place to live it is going to take time for them to acclimate. But they will with lots of patience and good food. When you first get them get them into a routine they need to be kept close to their coop inside a fenced area for at least 2 weeks, in the meantime you are showing them this is their safe home and where they will get fed, make sure to only feed them at their house so they will come there to eat, once they get use to their new surroundings you may want to only feed them of an evening so they will come to their house and you can lock them up. what ever you decide make sure to only feed them at their coop though so they get use to eating there only. You don't have to put food or water inside their house because they are very messy and will make a big mess inside, Just make sure to put the food up after you lock them up to keep predators and vermin away. when around the ducks walk slow and talk low to them spend time just being around them doing normal things so the get use to you. or just sitting with them, ducks love chopped lettuce, dried mealworms and the feed can be either duck feed if you can get it or an all flock feed or chicken feed. but since these girls are good layers you want to make sure they have a good quality of feed and also some oyster shell to give them extra calcium they may need.if only ducks and no drakes you can also feed the layer feed. Oh and in the mean time while getting them use to their new home you can give them a kiddy pool or some other kind of tub to splash and wash in. try to make it easy for them to get in and out of though. They will also need a bucket of water daily to keep their faces [eyes and nares] cleaned out. and make sure your pond is free of snapping turtles they are really bad for chomping on ducks feet. and causing injuries.

 

[Djcoak]

They will be in a fenced in area in our barn. It has good natural light and airflow and the horses will keep them company. The doors stay closed at night so security won't be an issue.

So would wood shavings be ok?

 

[Miss Lydia]

They will be in a fenced in area in our barn. It has good natural light and airflow and the horses will keep them company. The doors stay closed at night so security won't be an issue.

So would wood shavings be ok?

That's what most of us use.

 

[Djcoak]

Thanks. Very good advice so far!!!! I was thinking of letting them run around the barn during the day with the doors closed after a week or so then gradually let them outside once they are used to us.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thanks. Very good advice so far!!!! I was thinking of letting them run around the barn during the day with the doors closed after a week or so then gradually let them outside once they are used to us.

Sounds good. let us know how it goes. you may have to keep them in longer than a week but that is something you'll have to decide after you get them and see how they do.

 

[Amiga]

Sounds like a good plan, and caring people. Please don't underestimate predators. I have heard too many tragic stories, so I get a little insistent.

 

[Djcoak]

In the barn what would be a good floor? Part of it is concrete and part stone and dirt

 

[Miss Lydia]

In the barn what would be a good floor? Part of it is concrete and part stone and dirt

If you are going to put down shavings I'd just leave it like it is, only thing the dirt part can preds dig into it? I have wood flooring with in expensive vinyl sheeting down on top. easy to keep clean and I use deep bedding.