Ducklings arriving next week!

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Almost at the same time as i did last year! Winter ducklings are the cutest: Almost certainly you must keep them in house for the first weeks because it is too cold outside, even in a garage or a barn, so they will get really close to you. All you need is

• breeder
• duckling-proof waterer
• duckling starter
• a heat source
• love

You can read the story of my Spring-Ducklings here on BYC, i'm sure you will find many helpful ideas: 2019 Spring Ducklings are here!
If you don't like heat-lamps like me, try out a duckling cave, much safer and more natural than a lamp: Building a Momma Heat Cave for Ducklings
And please: we are all starved of pictures and videos of cute little ducklings! So help us out here!

 

[Ratchnick]

You probably will have to keep them inside until they have full feathers, 6 to 8 weeks, so be ready.

 

[Hunnied]

first ducklings are so exciting!

What kind of brooder are you going with?

I’ll start them in the large, clear, plastic storage bin which I’ve already used for chicks (thus fitted the lid with a screen), and then probably switch them to the galvanized metal tub/tank that I also used for my chickens as they grow (but I hated that the chickens couldn’t see out of it, so I’m looking out for something else).
I’ve yet to make a decision about their heat source, and welcome advice. I’m still using the ceramic heat bulb in my chicken coop to keep the Girls’ water from freezing during the coldest nights, but I could rework that set-up.

I also have a cheap and small brooder heat plate that I can use while the ducklings are still tiny, if needed?

I’ve been shopping around online for heat lamps and bulbs, and will check the stock of my local shop before I make a decision.

 

[Jpat]

Nice! Sounds perfect

alot of folks use the brooder plate, i didnt like mine, and when i brooded quails theyd get lost and ide wake up to them crying and shivvering

My favorite is the ceramic heat bulbs, i assume we are talking about the same thing

I like them because they are shatter proof and the babies can find the heat easier. And i use an inline lamp dimmer to turn the heat up or down, instead of moving the whole lamp

 

[Hunnied]

Almost at the same time as i did last year! Winter ducklings are the cutest: Almost certainly you must keep them in house for the first weeks because it is too cold outside, even in a garage or a barn, so they will get really close to you. All you need is

• breeder
• duckling-proof waterer
• duckling starter
• a heat source
• love

You can read the story of my Spring-Ducklings here on BYC, i'm sure you will find many helpful ideas: 2019 Spring Ducklings are here!
If you don't like heat-lamps like me, try out a duckling cave, much safer and more natural than a lamp: Building a Momma Heat Cave for Ducklings
And please: we are all starved of pictures and videos of cute little ducklings! So help us out here!

They’ll definitely be inside! When I got my first day old chicks last autumn I slept in the same room as them for almost a week! I was like an anxious and awestruck new mom (I have human children, so I know ) - watching them while they slept and constantly checking on them with every new chirp, or when it got too quiet.

 

[Hunnied]

Nice! Sounds perfect

alot of folks use the brooder plate, i didnt like mine, and when i brooded quails theyd get lost and ide wake up to them crying and shivvering

My favorite is the ceramic heat bulbs, i assume we are talking about the same thingView attachment 2016922


I like them because they are shatter proof and the babies can find the heat easier. And i use an inline lamp dimmer to turn the heat up or down, instead of moving the whole lampView attachment 2016923

I didn’t know a dimmer would work for that, sweet!
I didn’t realize the ceramic bulb helped the babies find the heat easier, do you know why that is?
I went with mine for my chickens because it doesn’t emit light, and is safer.

 

[Jpat]

I didn’t know a dimmer would work for that, sweet!
I didn’t realize the ceramic bulb helped the babies find the heat easier, do you know why that is?
I went with mine for my chickens because it doesn’t emit light, and is safer.

i dont think they find it easier more its harder to get out of, They dont have to crawl under or climb on anything

And add a small stuffed toy underneith they cant help but cuddle with it

 

[Jpat]

Even a rolled up towell under the lamp they will love it

 

[Hunnied]

Even a rolled up towell under the lamp they will love itView attachment 2016931View attachment 2016932

I love this! Now I’m shopping for stuffed animals...
Probably ought to start with my fabric and craft supplies; will give me something else to do while I wait for my ducks to arrive next week!

 

[Jpat]

I love this! Now I’m shopping for stuffed animals...
Probably ought to start with my fabric and craft supplies; will give me something else to do while I wait for my ducks to arrive next week!

Thats the best idea, Theyll love it