Da' Cute and Cuddly Call Duck thread!

[aoxa]

They look like most of the call ducklings I see around here. Despite their size Call ducks do grow up fast like other duck breeds. They could end up nice pet quality Calls. You have quite the color selection! 

Oh that would make sense They are growing REALLY fast. They feather out slower than chickens though.. And smell really bad within 12 hours :/ How can 12 call ducks make a HUGE brooder smell in that amount of time?

The brooder is 8 x 3.5 ft

That would be big enough for 12 call ducks right? I raised 40 chicks in it :/

 

[Kevin565]

Oh that would make sense

They are growing REALLY fast. They feather out slower than chickens though.. And smell really bad within 12 hours

How can 12 call ducks make a HUGE brooder smell in that amount of time?
The brooder is 8 x 3.5 ft
That would be big enough for 12 call ducks right? I raised 40 chicks in it

Yes I think that brooder will should be fine to raise that many calls in for awhile. The thing is ducks are messy and often stink. In honestly doesn't matter how big the breed and even bigger brooders can't really prevent it. The only thing I've found to help combat the smell is using sand for the bedding.

 

[aoxa]

Yes I think that brooder will should be fine to raise that many calls in for awhile. The thing is ducks are messy and often stink. In honestly doesn't matter how big the breed and even bigger brooders can't really prevent it. The only thing I've found to help combat the smell is using sand for the bedding. 

It's awful. It really is. I put this huge thing in to prevent the bedding from getting wet, which it helps, but that thing needs to be washed out twice a day, and it smells like farts lol.

When can they go outside? Please tell me tonight.

They are 4 weeks old. I have a heat lamp on them ONLY at night when it gets down to 15 on average (around 60)

 

[Kevin565]

All of my ducks are outside by 4 weeks

. I love them but they smell terrible and I can only take so much. If you can attach the heat lamp to a outdoor area I don't see why they couldn't be outside at this age.

 

[aoxa]

All of my ducks are outside by 4 weeks  . I love them but they smell terrible and I can only take so much. If you can attach the heat lamp to a outdoor area I don't see why they couldn't be outside at this age. 

They are in the barn, but I want them out of the brooder so I can use it for chicks

Not too worried about the other birds with them, but to get them to go into the barn at night will definitely be a challenge.. *sigh*

 

[Kevin565]

Ah now I see. I wouldn't think they would need it for much longer. The interesting part is herding everyone in once they realize that they can actually fly. Those crash landings are priceless

 

[aoxa]

Ah now I see. I wouldn't think they would need it for much longer. The interesting part is herding everyone in once they realize that they can actually fly. Those crash landings are priceless 

I only have 3 other ducks. 1 muscovy and 2 Khakki Campbell. They are all girls. I plan to keep a trio. I did get them for my muscovy hen, but she decided she didn't want to be a mom after sitting for a good 3 weeks. So I was left to do all the hard work

Ducks are so much easier to herd than chickens. That's a plus. They run (or waddle) in a tight group. I think I may put them in the coop this weekend at 4.5 weeks old. I want to move my 1 week old chicks from the playpen to the brooder. It's cramped!

 

[Kevin565]

Ducks can be such wish washy mothers some times. Even though I have call who's going on 3 months being of and on broody

. Ducks are defiantly pretty easy to herd. My Mallards used to run in a straight line

. I tried herding Guineas the same once. Didn't work out as well

.

 

[aoxa]

Ducks can be such wish washy mothers some times. Even though I have call who's going on 3 months being of and on broody  .  Ducks are defiantly pretty easy to herd. My Mallards used to run in a straight line  . I tried herding Guineas the same once. Didn't work out as well  .

I put them with the flock today. Herded them all in the barn in 2 minutes if not less. How easy!

They sleep in a pile, and I'm sure they will keep each other warm enough. I took some more pictures of them at this age. Post in a few

 

[Kevin565]

Congrats on the big move!

Now you have more space for chicken math