Countdown to Ducklings! [a Journal]

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Very cute. I am sure you will love them to pieces! They might start picking at the pads in there. I only used those for like a week or two, then changed the bedding to pine shavings (the larger flakes).
Definitely they will need a waterer that they can stick their head in to cleanse their eyes and nares as @chickens really showed. And, ducks tend to scoop food - so the chicken feeder might work for now, but I just used a dish for that too.
Also, the brooder will not last long. They grow fast!
I don't know if it was mentioned, but since pekins grow fast they tend to overheat quickly. So, if you happen to see them panting, you will want to make sure the heat lamp is farther away so that they have space to cool off. The brooder recommendations for temps are kind of just a suggestion. You need to observe your ducklings and adjust as necessary.
I have muscovy and they grew fast too. I don't think my brooder was over 80 at anytime and I got mine at a week old.
By the time they were two weeks, I had expanded their brooder to a kiddie pool. I also have 4, so they needed more space more quickly.
You might want to get the save a chick probiotics and electrolytes to give them for the first few weeks. It will help to keep their immune system strong. If you get it, offer them a bowl of fresh water and a separate bowl of the vitamin/probiotics water.
I know you started a thread before you got your ducklings - so maybe were already pointed to certain links in byc. But, this is the duck forum sticky loaded with good advice: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/ducks-sticky-topics-index.256233/
Good luck! And I am sure you will keep us posted! :frow
 
Congratulations on your ducklings :):). Don't worry once they get adjusted to their new home they will relax, I also would put pine shavings down to line the tub instead of the pads & I used the same type of feeder/water containers you have & mine did fine, when they get a few days older you can put a larger bowl of water in the tub so they can dunk their heads into more water & splash around, that makes a big mess but it's fun to watch them play around with the water, ( I wouldn't keep the bowl in the tub all the time until you know they can get out on their own ). Good luck & enjoy
 
I did put out a water bowl for them last night which they kept splashing around in. I picked up some cheap tubs from Walmart today that I'll be able to cut for their water!

I have Aspen bedding I was planning on using since that was the type of bedding I knew to be safe for my rodents when I had them. Is it safe for the ducklings? I'll probably switch to Pine later on since it is cheaper, but I prefer the smell of Aspen to be honest.
 
Miss Lydia said:
Only thing I have ever seen that was harmful is cedar so I think your safe with Aspen.

How are the littles doing this morning? How are you doing this morning? lol
Click to expand...

Okay! Yes, I know Cedar is like the worst bedding for anything from what I can tell!

The little ones finally settled down about 3 hours ago, but mama duck (hehe) has been awake since then and is very sleepy haha. I gave them some cuddles and loving to hopefully get them used to me then let them head back to bed. I am, unfortunately, at work now. Luckily my family is home to ducksit!
 

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