Doing my best to raise these ducks

[Thebaconator]

(This thread used to be called ‘how old are these ducks?’)

I bought some ducks from a garage sale today. We have a fenced in area with a shelter for them but I’ve been keeping them in a box while we make repairs to it. How old are they? They can swim on their own and the Craigslist dude said they were about 8 weeks but I’m not sure.

Also, do I need to have a water bowl that they stand in or just something they can drink out of? Or one of each?

Edit: Okay, after a few hours and a lot of questions I now know these ducks are 2-4 weeks old and I need to buy a bunch more stuff to take care of them. So now this is going to be my update thread as I do my best to raise these ducks!

 

[peachyduckies]

They look to be about 8 weeks old. Very cute!

They need a waterer that is deep enough for them to stick their nares in, but not big enough for them to get in and take a swim. However, they can swim, but you must supervise them until they are fully feathered out.

Make sure you feed them a food that is safe for ducklings to consume. DO NOT feed medicated chick starter! Unmediated is fine, but you will need to supplement their feed with Brewer’s yeast or niacin. If Brewer’s yeast or niacin is unavailable in your area, you can feed Purina Flock Raiser (unmediated). It is has niacin as one of the ingredients, so no need to supplement. You can switch to a layer feed around 24 weeks old.

I noticed in the picture that the ducklings have straw bedding, which I don’t recommend since it doesn’t absorb as well as other bedding types and the odor of duck poop will become stronger. I recommend an old towel or brooding them outside. Outside is probably a better option, since they’re already 8 weeks old.

Best of luck to you and your new babies!

 

[Thebaconator]

They look to be about 8 weeks old. Very cute!

They need a waterer that is deep enough for them to stick their nares in, but not big enough for them to get in and take a swim. However, they can swim, but you must supervise them until they are fully feathered out.

Make sure you feed them a food that is safe for ducklings to consume. DO NOT feed medicated chick starter! Unmediated is fine, but you will need to supplement their feed with Brewer’s yeast or niacin. If Brewer’s yeast or niacin is unavailable in your area, you can feed Purina Flock Raiser (unmediated). It is has niacin as one of the ingredients, so no need to supplement. You can switch to a layer feed around 24 weeks old.

I noticed in the picture that the ducklings have straw bedding, which I don’t recommend since it doesn’t absorb as well as other bedding types and the odor of duck poop will become stronger. I recommend an old towel or brooding them outside. Outside is probably a better option, since they’re already 8 weeks old.

Best of luck to you and your new babies!

Thank you! I have Dumor unmedicated 20% feed but I still need to pick up the yeast/niacin. The pen will be ready by tomorrow morning so do you think it’ll be okay to leave them with straw tonight?

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

I don't think they are 8 weeks. I don't see any feathering.
Look at this thread. They have chronicled their pekins week by week.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/pekin-duck-week-by-week.981385/

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

According to the other thread, I would say 2-3 weeks old. Do you have any heat for them?

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

This post in that same thread is an 8 week pekin.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/pekin-duck-week-by-week.981385/page-2#post-15420350

 

[peachyduckies]

Thank you! I have Dumor unmedicated 20% feed but I still need to pick up the yeast/niacin. The pen will be ready by tomorrow morning so do you think it’ll be okay to leave them with straw tonight?

Yes, they should be fine.

I was in a rush typing the reply and didn’t get a good look at the ducklings. They are most likely Pekin ducks, and since Pekins are large ducks, that means that they are pretty big even when very young. So, as @Soon2BChixMom said above, they are probably a bit younger than 8 weeks. You can still brood them outside in an enclosed pen under grass, but you will need a heat lamp at night. You may need a heat lamp during the day if the weather where you live is too cold for young ducklings.

The feed you picked out is perfect for young ducklings. 18%-20% is recommended for growing ducklings. You should also wet your feed before sprinkling Brewer’s yeast in, so it doesn’t shift to the bottom of the feeder.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Purina flock rasier is a good brand and does have niacin added 55ppm. Which is adequate, but during the first 8-10 weeks you should supplement with a little more. You can add brewers yeast to their food or a lquid b complex to their water since pekins grow so fast.

 

[Lil Drake40]

X2!!

 

[Thebaconator]

I didn’t buy any heat lamps because I thought they were 8 weeks old. I’m pretty sure they’ll be fine during the day without one since it was 86 degrees. It’s supposed to get 65 degrees tonight. Do I need to get a heat lamp ASAP or is there anything I can do to keep them warm overnight so I can pick one up tomorrow? Thank you for your help everyone, I don’t know what my ducks would do without you.