Duckling advice

[Misterorw]

Hi, I came home and found that my mother bought 5 ducks from the local tractor supply. She brought feed (Purina Flock Raiser Crumbles Premium Poultry Feed) that the store gave her along with a Kiddie pool and pine chips for bedding.
I have since done some research on how to better care for them than that. They have their own giant pen for them to sleep in with hay bedding (looking into a larger area to cage in so they can play without supervision. They come out during the day to run around and play in our field and swim in the pond (with supervision). However I'm asking for any other tips on how to better them

Is the bedding I have okay for them? I read a lot of different discussions on pine vs hay/straw

Is the feed I have okay or should I look into getting a different brand or supplements?

What are some good snacks for them? I have given them non canned peas and blueberries but I'm not sure if this is the best snack option for them

And is there a better way to identify what kind I have? I've been looking at pictures of ducklings for hours and I cannot figure out what kind they are.

I am not planning on raising them as live stock but as pets so I want them to be able to live a long and healthy life.

Please do not hate on my mother, no matter how poor of an impulse it was...

 

[cheezenkwackers]

If you post pictures we may be able to help you with what kind they are. You sound like you are doing great. Only thing I would add is nutritional or brewers yeast, a table spoon or so, per bowl of feed. It just ensures they get enough niacin. Some possible treats to offer are leafy greens (leaf lettuce, Arugula, Dandelion leafs, Collard, etc.), thawed frozen peas, watermelon, dried mealworms, and cut-up tomatoes. They especially love their treats floated in water.

 

[Crazy Maizie]

Tsc gets their birds from Hoover hatchery. You could go to that site and check out the pics of the ducks/ducklings to help identify. Or post pics here of your own ducklings.

I'm not sure what was exactly wrong with your mom's set up as that is how I brooded my own ducklings. I used pine shavings - but maybe it is the same as "chips". Hay molds quickly and will definitely do so with the water needs of the ducklings. As well it is more of a food source as it is a type of grass.

Flock raiser is what I've used in the past - currently using a different feed for all flocks (but I use a different brand as I get it from a local feed store). I would recommend adding nutritional yeast. Just sprinkle some on the food that is offered. It won't hurt and ducklings are very susceptible to niacin deficiencies. Purina has a recommended amount of niacin, but sometimes ducklings need more.

If you offer treats (anything other than their feed), make sure they have chick grit available.

Have fun and good luck with your ducklings!

 

[CluckerFamily]

I think what your mom came home with is perfect.
Ducklings grow fast way faster than chickens.
Do you have a plan for when they are out of the brooder? (Duck house/duck run)
If you provide treats to them only give them very little since they need all their nutrients from their feed and make sure to provide grit for them.

 

[Misterorw]

Tsc gets their birds from Hoover hatchery. You could go to that site and check out the pics of the ducks/ducklings to help identify. Or post pics here of your own ducklings.

I'm not sure what was exactly wrong with your mom's set up as that is how I brooded my own ducklings. I used pine shavings - but maybe it is the same as "chips". Hay molds quickly and will definitely do so with the water needs of the ducklings. As well it is more of a food source as it is a type of grass.

Flock raiser is what I've used in the past - currently using a different feed for all flocks (but I use a different brand as I get it from a local feed store). I would recommend adding nutritional yeast. Just sprinkle some on the food that is offered. It won't hurt and ducklings are very susceptible to niacin deficiencies. Purina has a recommended amount of niacin, but sometimes ducklings need more.

If you offer treats (anything other than their feed), make sure they have chick grit available.

Have fun and good luck with your ducklings!

There wasn't much wrong with my mom's set up they just out grew it very fast and we're jumping out of the pool itself. As for Hoover hatchery I did look however I don't believe my yellow ducks were white layered based of the color of the beak and feet they look more like aylesbury ducks rather than the ones on the site even when they were much smaller and still yellow they looked like that as well. I've attached a photo of all of them. The black one has blue on its feathers so I believe it's Cayuga duck but I'm not too sure

 

[Misterorw]

I think what your mom came home with is perfect.
Ducklings grow fast way faster than chickens.
Do you have a plan for when they are out of the brooder? (Duck house/duck run)
If you provide treats to them only give them very little since they need all their nutrients from their feed and make sure to provide grit for them.

Yep! We got them a 5x5 pen for them to sleep in at night and we're setting up a chicken wire fence around that area so they can roam without having my dog locked in the house. They'll still be able to swim freely in the pond, especially on hot days. I got them some of the recommended products other replies have said and they're doing lovely as of today. Im just working on trying to get them to follow me so they know when it's time to go back in the pen

 

[Crazy Maizie]

There wasn't much wrong with my mom's set up they just out grew it very fast and we're jumping out of the pool itself. As for Hoover hatchery I did look however I don't believe my yellow ducks were white layered based of the color of the beak and feet they look more like aylesbury ducks rather than the ones on the site even when they were much smaller and still yellow they looked like that as well. I've attached a photo of all of them. The black one has blue on its feathers so I believe it's Cayuga duck but I'm not too sure

Yeah, the pool set up doesn't last long. I guess it was the way it was originally worded.
I only have muscovies so no help with figuring out other breeds. But, if someone else pops on, they might need to see the face and feet.

 

[Misterorw]

If you post pictures we may be able to help you with what kind they are. You sound like you are doing great. Only thing I would add is nutritional or brewers yeast, a table spoon or so, per bowl of feed. It just ensures they get enough niacin. Some possible treats to offer are leafy greens (leaf lettuce, Arugula, Dandelion leafs, Collard, etc.), thawed frozen peas, watermelon, dried mealworms, and cut-up tomatoes. They especially love their treats floated in water.

Here's a picture! I also got the brewer's yeast and did everything you recommended! They absolutely love it and are doing so well!

Still not sure of what they are. The black one has this blue metallic color on its feathers so I believe it's a Cayuga duck? But not too sure and feed back is appreciated





Note* the blue of the water is a natural dye labeled as animal and plant safe.

 

[cheezenkwackers]

Here's a picture! I also got the brewer's yeast and did everything you recommended! They absolutely love it and are doing so well!

Still not sure of what they are. The black one has this blue metallic color on its feathers so I believe it's a Cayuga duck? But not too sure and feed back is appreciated





Note* the blue of the water is a natural dye labeled as animal and plant safe.

I am so glad they are doing well. They are adorable. I think you are correct about the black one but Cayuga is not a breed I have. They are beautiful though. The gray one looks to be a blue Swedish. I have a silver Swedish (avatar) and she is wonderful. The white and brown one appears to be a female Welsh Harlequin, another great breed, loved mine. I believe the two white ones are Pekins but it is possible that they are white layers, not breeds I am very familiar with. The girls should be starting to quack now. That will help you know what gender they are. They look wonderful. Keep up the good work!