Duckling identification

[ShelbyCiave]

Of course! They just need to gain more trust and have more treats, but I’m sure they will be attached in no time! You’ll have to let me know how it goes after some time!

 

[Stellasmomma]

Of course! They just need to gain more trust and have more treats, but I’m sure they will be attached in no time! You’ll have to let me know how it goes after some time!

I will thank you!!!

 

[Vicktoria Giuergia]

Honestly, whenever I have time I put a towel down and sit in their pen or lay on the towel to get to their level. I also had brought them in the house and let them cruise around in a playpen while I did every day house chores so they could watch me from afar and know I’m not a threat. I started early on giving them mashed up peas and crushed up mealworms. Once they got a taste for those, every time I walked up they assumed I would give them some sort of treat. I pulled fresh kale from my garden and would let them tug pieces from my hands. They do run if I try to hold them, but once they are in my arms they nuzzle up to me and are completely calm. My blue Swedes scream when I initially pick them up, but I just talk to them and they stop instantly and become calm. For my adult drakes, I did the same thing with them and they follow me EVERYWHERE! If I go inside the house, they literally wait outside the door for me. You just gotta devote time to spend with them and entice them with treats. Now that my 5 week old ducklings are outside, I’ll sit in their pen with them still and both the babies and the adult drakes can check each other out. I think when the babies watch the boys follow me and see that they trust me, it helps them gain trust with me too. My drake pekin let’s me hug him, kiss him, and hold him. My mallard cross drake isn’t fond of getting loved on, but he never leaves my side. Sorry for the lengthy response!

I don't believe that is the norm. At least not with my Mallard/Pekin cross ducks-old & new. Long replies are more helpful than not. Keep doing what you're doing, sounds like it works for you. The rest of us can just do what we can & see what happens. My last two took a year a show any attention to their feeder, (me)

 

[citymeetscountry]

My ducklings are about a month old now. Their feathers are coming in and they are beginning to quack. They run up to me when I come to their pen, cry for me when I walk away, crawl all over me, and eat from my hand Here are some up to date pictures if anyone has an idea of the breeds!

Any new pics (I know it’s only been about2 weeks). Quacking yet?

 

[Vicktoria Giuergia]

I very much appreciate the lengthy reply!! I think I need to go into the pen with some foods as you mention being new to ducks I have been afraid to give them anything but their duck starter. I spend time with them everyday and my crested Dre seems to enjoy the pets and is warming up to me but the blue I defiantly need to work with more. They would like nothing more then to be left to float in their pool all day LOL I will get some treats and try that approach and continue to sit in the enclosure with them could you suggest some things that are safe to give them? I know you mentioned Kale and peas and meal worms are there other things that are ok? sorry for the questions as I said first time with ducks! I am trying to do really good for them, they are growing really well and seem happy so I am doing ok with that I think!

I go into the pen every day now that they are older. When they were little (they're all different ages) I held them & I did have a couple quack when I opened the door. I give all ages fresh fruits & vegetables. I have 2 pens outside & a brooder inside until they get hard to clean up then they go un the patio so I can still watch them & take care of them.

 

[Stellasmomma]

I don't believe that is the norm. At least not with my Mallard/Pekin cross ducks-old & new. Long replies are more helpful than not. Keep doing what you're doing, sounds like it works for you. The rest of us can just do what we can & see what happens. My last two took a year a show any attention to their feeder, (me)

I appreciate all the help here I am new to ducks so being probably over cautious. Its nice to learn what I can give to them and some tips on helping them like me LOL

 

[ShelbyCiave]

My ducklings are 6 weeks old. The 4 blue Swedish have a loud quack. The other 4 mystery ducklings have a subtle peep still. The black ducklings are actually relatively quiet. Now they are getting more plumage, anyone wanna take another stab as to what breeds I have other than the blue’s? The three blackish ducklings have a greenish tinge all over their bodies. Two have a gray slate colored bill while the other has slightly greenish. They all are starting to get white and blue colored feathers at the tips of their wings and their feet are turning orange. As for the duckling with the white stripe around her neck, she is getting blueish tipped wing feathers and lightening up all over.

 

[ShelbyCiave]

Also, I have read many different articles on angel wing. I have noticed the articles I read were predominately with Black and Blue Swedish ducks. 3 out of my 4 blue Swedish began developing angel wing. One of them had it so bad that she was bleeding severely from the other ducklings nibbling at her wings. I tried wrapping her wings and she was not having it! I then started to ferment their feed and cut their feed with some overnight steel cut oats. I gave them more greens for snacks and pulled back on the mealworms. Within days, their angel wings had reduced. After about a week, only the severe case had a very subtle twisted wing. Today, after almost 2 weeks of doing this feed method, every case has diminished. I have attached some photos showing the beginning stages of their angel wing. I think if you catch it in time and drastically change their diet, you have pretty good chances at reversing the issue. If you refer back to my post right before this, you can see that their angel wing is 100% improved.

 

[ShelbyCiave]

This is how I trained the babies to go into their house on their own every night to get locked up. Made some oatmeal, add peas or mealworms, and a little water to make it more soupy. I gave them nibble, they loved it and wanted more, but I would take the remaining and lead them inside their house. Eventually, they would see the dishes I used for the night time treat and they just run straight into the barn. My 2 adult drakes, chickens, and potbelly pig were all taught to go inside before sundown using this exact technique. Hopefully it helps someone who is struggling to get their flock inside at night!

 

[Luv Ducks]

This is how I trained the babies to go into their house on their own every night to get locked up. Made some oatmeal, add peas or mealworms, and a little water to make it more soupy. I gave them nibble, they loved it and wanted more, but I would take the remaining and lead them inside their house. Eventually, they would see the dishes I used for the night time treat and they just run straight into the barn. My 2 adult drakes, chickens, and potbelly pig were all taught to go inside before sundown using this exact technique. Hopefully it helps someone who is struggling to get their flock inside at night!

I absolutely love your Ducks!!! I was so interested that they are supposed to be all Ducks and no Drakes. I am trying to sex my 6 week old Muscovy hen Mallard Drake babies. I had read that the longer heads meant boys. I noticed in some of the pictures yours have the longer head than others. I was surprised to see that and now have hopes that I don't have all males. Please keep us posted as to the sex of all of your ducklings. I can't put pictures on here so I am trying to figure it out on my own. My peepers that did not get their quacks all turned out to be Mallards in my Mallard babies. I have never had the mules or hinnies whichever they are called before and I hatched them out from my own ducks. Thanks for your pictures, they are helping me decide the sex of my own.