Ducklings have arrived!

[MerryMeridional]

@Miss Lydia @DuckyDonna @Texag87 @Magnolia Ducks

Does anyone know what kind of weight gain to expect with runner ducklings?

Most of the color zip ties fell off but I am starting to be able to tell the difference between them based on size alone. I have one bigger duckling (is it possible she's a day or two older? She's a porker!), one obviously smaller duckling, and 3 that are about the same in the middle (one is the crested duck so that further helps telling them apart). I took starting weights, and had 1 smallest at 39g, 3 in the middle at 43g, and one biggest at 48g. Yesterday when I weighed, the smallest was 66g and the largest was 97g with the middle ones in the 80s.

Is this normal? Anything to watch out for? Can I expect them to even out as they age?
I received them by mail last week Thursday, they shipped out that Tues 3/19.

Just want to be sure my babies are healthy. They all appear to be eating, drinking, and pooping enthusiastically. Thanks in advance.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I see they love meal worms. They all sure look healthy and bouncy. I think that is pretty typical with ducklings just like with kids your going to have some bigger than others. As long as they are gaining and acting like they are on that video I don't see anything to worry about. They are sure adorable.

 

[MerryMeridional]

I see they love meal worms. They all sure look healthy and bouncy. I think that is pretty typical with ducklings just like with kids your going to have some bigger than others. As long as they are gaining and acting like they are on that video I don't see anything to worry about. They are sure adorable.

Thank you! I agree, they are so adorable. They recognize me now and all gather round to look up at me in the brooder. I'm in love!

Glad that the weight thing is a nonissue.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I can't wait for mine to arrive this is going to be along 26 days. lol

 

[MerryMeridional]

I can't wait for mine to arrive this is going to be along 26 days. lol

Aagh 26 days?! The wait can be difficult. I got mine about a week after I planned due to availability and the waiting was so hard. I'm looking forward to the pics of your new fuzzybutts!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thanks I was worried about the weather and them traveling in some of the cold we have had. Where are you located? When I had my chicks shipped they came late May and we still had a cold snap but they arrived healthy and in good shape. If mine are as happy and energetic as yours I will be very happy!

 

[MerryMeridional]

Thanks I was worried about the weather and them traveling in some of the cold we have had. Where are you located? When I had my chicks shipped they came late May and we still had a cold snap but they arrived healthy and in good shape. If mine are as happy and energetic as yours I will be very happy!

I'm in East Oregon and the ducklings are from Cameron, TX at Ideal Poultry. Our lows last week were right at or below freezing. So they had quite a trip. The people at the hatchery told me it would take 2 days to arrive but the tracking said 4!! So I called the post office and explained that I was expecting some poultry babies, and I decided that I would drive 30min to the next town to skip 2 legs on their trip over 2 days. But that morning when I was prepared to drive the next town over, the post office called me and said to come and pick them up here in town! Not sure what they did, but it worked out in my favor. Good for me and good for the ducklings! My 5 were packed with 4 warmer chicks. I wasn't happy about that, but they did all arrive healthy and happy, and I was able to rehome the warmer chicks to a lady who rescues/takes unwanted chickens and keeps her flock mostly for eggs and pets.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Well that sure worked out great. Mine are coming from Cackle and I am so hoping if they feel they need to add another to my 3 for heat they send me another female Runner I have plenty of Testosterone here already with 2 drakes 2 rooster and 1 gander.

 

[MerryMeridional]

Well that sure worked out great. Mine are coming from Cackle and I am so hoping if they feel they need to add another to my 3 for heat they send me another female Runner I have plenty of Testosterone here already with 2 drakes 2 rooster and 1 gander.

Are there reviews online, or a stated policy about warmers? There was a google review for Ideal from a woman who had a small order and they put about as many warmer chicks (7 & 5, I believe) as purchased poultry and she was upset by that. I'm sure the distance and weather influences how many warmers are in there, too. It might be warm enough by the time yours ship to reduce the number of warmers.

OR, you could just order more babies for a full box

 

[Texag87]

More Runners . Sorry I cannot answer the questions about the ducklings weight. I was not being as scientific about it when brooding ours. Plus, we had four different breeds with nine total ducklings.