Duckling questions

[Ping1019]

Hi everyone! I have a 2.5 week old pekin duckling and I’m pretty new to raising ducks, so I want to make sure I’m doing everything correctly!
1. He/she is inside our home in a brooder-
Does it still need a heat lamp when we keep our home no less than 74 degrees with the central air on but temperatures will usually be warmer at times? He/she doesn’t seem to be going under the lamp much anymore either.
2.What is the best duckling food and how long should they be eating it for before moving to non duckling food?
3. What vitamins/supplements should he/she be getting? I know I have seen people mention Vitamin B, Niacin and Brewers Yeast.
4. When do you start giving these? How often? How much? What is the best method? What brands do you recommend?
5. Do they need to eat grit? Which ones are the good ones?
6. What kids of treats can he/she have?
THANKS!!!!

 

[Stipenvlerk]

goodmorning,
‘You have yourself a cute little duckie

as far as your questions go..

1. Ducklings will regulate this themselve. If you provide a warm spot they will go there when they need it. By keeping the option your duckling has a choice

2.You have so many kinds Of food, I’m serving them waterfowl dedicated grow food called “Watervogels opfok voer” which is obviously a dutch brand and on the bag it says it can be given until twelve weeks of age

3.Vitamin B3, Niacine is on of the most important since you have a Pekin you should not forget that one! Pekings grow fast and it’s needed for good development of their legs.

4. I give koudijs multivitamins (again waterfowl dedicated multivitamins from the Netherlands) twice a week. They absolutely hate the taste but it has a high dose of B3 and all the other vitamins are in amounts suitable for ducks and ducklings.

5. They need grids as soon as they eat things other than the pellets duckfood. It should always be available

6. Mine love melon, watermelon and tomato although I don’t give it to them often. If they free range and get duck food on the side they appreciate a piece of melon once in a while

 

[CurlyQuail]

1) As long as you provide a warm area the duckling will go under when/if it gets cold

2) Waterfowl starter food would be good for ducklings but I’ve been feeding mine chick started with added brewer’s yeast and they like it just fine.

3) Niacin is a form of Vitamin B3 and is found in Brewer’s Yeast. Ducklings need niacin to be healthy and to avoid Angle Wing. This is by far the most important vitamin for ducklings but of course they need others and need the right amount of each. This is why waterfowl starter feed is good as all the necessities will be in there in measured amounts.

4) It’s best to give these vitamins as early as possible. With niacin, if you use Brewer’s yeast, mix some into the feed anytime you give your duckling more. If you use tablets that go in the water, add another one when you refill the water. I recommend Anthony’s Brewer’s Yeast Powder, I mix about a tablespoon or so per cup of feed and I like this brand as it’s unflavored, unscented, and has no additives, pretty much as bare as you can get.

5) If they are eating anything other than their usual feed, they will need grit.

6) Mine get fruits (like watermelon or strawberry) and leafy greens as a treat.

Now I have a question for you. Do you only have one duckling? They’re very social creatures and thrive living with at least one other duck friend.

 

[Ping1019]

1) As long as you provide a warm area the duckling will go under when/if it gets cold

2) Waterfowl starter food would be good for ducklings but I’ve been feeding mine chick started with added brewer’s yeast and they like it just fine.

3) Niacin is a form of Vitamin B3 and is found in Brewer’s Yeast. Ducklings need niacin to be healthy and to avoid Angle Wing. This is by far the most important vitamin for ducklings but of course they need others and need the right amount of each. This is why waterfowl starter feed is good as all the necessities will be in there in measured amounts.

4) It’s best to give these vitamins as early as possible. With niacin, if you use Brewer’s yeast, mix some into the feed anytime you give your duckling more. If you use tablets that go in the water, add another one when you refill the water. I recommend Anthony’s Brewer’s Yeast Powder, I mix about a tablespoon or so per cup of feed and I like this brand as it’s unflavored, unscented, and has no additives, pretty much as bare as you can get.

5) If they are eating anything other than their usual feed, they will need grit.

6) Mine get fruits (like watermelon or strawberry) and leafy greens as a treat.

Now I have a question for you. Do you only have one duckling? They’re very social creatures and thrive living with at least one other duck friend.

Thank you so much for all the great info!
Do you have any preferred brands that you use for the feed and vitamins?
Currently, we only have one duckling. He's only in the house with us at the moment, so I was considering getting another when he moves outdoors at some point. None of the other egg mates made it to hatch unfortunately and he was our only survivor

 

[CurlyQuail]

Thank you so much for all the great info!
Do you have any preferred brands that you use for the feed and vitamins?
Currently, we only have one duckling. He's only in the house with us at the moment, so I was considering getting another when he moves outdoors at some point. None of the other egg mates made it to hatch unfortunately and he was our only survivor

I use Scratch and Peck chick starter with added Anthony’s Brewer’s Yeast. I would recommend and waterfowl starter but this works best for me as I have chickens as well.

Aww that sucks about the eggs! I had a similar thing happen with a batch of chickens, luckily I have another group that’s a little older I can put her with.

 

[CurlyQuail]

my new little duckling not sure on a name yet((think it's a rouen)) just started caring for it today any tips or info would be really helpful thanks....View attachment 2217860View attachment 2217861View attachment 2217862

You might want to start your own post, and include specific questions you have. Were you looking for tips on feeding, housing, health concerns, etc?

 

[CurlyQuail]

oh my bad!! new to all this figured it was group thing

Ahaha no problem, this was just one person’s question but it’s got some useful information in the thread

 

[BrandoMan]

Where I live they dont have a specific duck feed they sell. I have had no issues feeding unmedicated chick starter if your area is the same.

 

[CurlyQuail]

Where I live they dont have a specific duck feed they sell. I have had no issues feeding unmedicated chick starter if your area is the same.

If you feed chick starter (I do as well) please supplement niacin as there is not enough in chick starter for ducklings!