I would separate some way but where they can still see each other. A larger duckling can injure a smaller one. Any time ducklings are introduced just like adults it needs to be done slowly to keep anyone from getting hurt.
Of course we want pics. lol be careful using saw dust ducklings sometimes will eat it and it can cause an intestinal blockage. Wood shaving the flake are best. If they have just met then hopefully they will begin to get use to each other and the older will stop picking on the younger ones. Dif separate when you can't be with them.Ive been letting them "indoor freerange" lol, in my house for the past hour or so. he seems to be warmed up to them now, although he still picks at them now and then.. they flock together wherever they go. Im not exactly sure how to go about this, but it seems like theyre getting along better now. I'll keep an eye on them.. and overnight i'll separate them when i cant watch them.
i have very slippery floors though, and i havent had access to any poultry vitamins. in the next day or two im going to be recieving shipments of niacin and brewers yeast, as well as better bedding.. straw and sawdust. Theyve already improved greatly with the leg issues since ive been exercising them very frequently. Im not new to poultry but i AM new to ducks.. i think im starting to get the hang of it now slowly though haha. this forum is certainly a huge help! theyre growing up so fast too
If anyone wants i'll include some pictures.
They sure are precious, another thing is making sure they have plenty of room in their brooder because they grow so fast. Keep us updated on how things go with them.
here are pics of my lovelies above^
i cleaned some of the dirt out of their feathers and took their tags off, all the little distractions that were making the bigger duck peck at them.. now he is leaving them alone moreso than before. i will still separate them at night, at least for the first week or so.
and yeah im just using sawdust as the liner to absorb water, and the straw on top as the bedding
I'd pick up some niacin and put in their water till around 10 weeks of age I even fed Brewers yeast which is another form till 12 weeks because this is when they are growing so fast and can develop leg weakness. Plain niacin is in expensive just be sure to ask for plain crush up and add to 1 gal of water then put into their drinking container[ 100megs]. Make sure what kind of container you use for drinking is deep enough for them to dunk their heads very important that ducks can wash their faces to keep eyes and nares clean.next week im going to upgrade them to a dog kennel lol! a very large fenced in one. i figure that will last them till they are ready to go outside
I'm also going to be buying some supplies on my next visit to the feed store in the next state... i have to travel far, but its a full-service store with monthly meetings and a lot of free services.
I'll be getting them some grit for their treats! and some 1-gallon feeders and waterers. im gonna start construction on their aviary as soon as the snow starts melting in a month..
do you have any advice, or things I should know.. during the time it takes for them to grow up?
Try not to stand over top of them, and sit down on the floor if you can when spending time with them that way you don't look like your going to grab them and eat them, they go through so many stages. Glad to hear they have all become buddies.
