Ducklings what to do?

[Makenabrwn]

Ok everyone I have raised chickens for 10 years but never ducklings. I have no idea were to start so please help me!!!!! What do they eat? When do I need to let them swim? I just dont know where to start I was in Tractor Supplies and the poor things looked so lonely I had to bring them home.. So any information will be very helpful.

 

[duckyfromoz]

We have both done a swap... I have raised waterfowl for over 25 years now- and am currently hatching some of my first chickens ever.

I am assuming that the ducklings you bought are only a few days or so old- So swimming although something that will come naturally to them - and they will enjoy immensely is maybe best left for another day or so while you get other things worked out. When you do let them have a first swim- only give them some fairly shallow water- and dont leave them in for more than a few minutes. Make sure you have somewhere warm for them to dry off. Ducklings that get too waterlogged before being about to protect themselves with the oil they produce in a gland just above their tails could easily get sick.

They will need heat for a few weeks- just like chickens- but may not require it for as long as chickens, depending on the weather in the area you live in- If it is still cooler at night- you may wish to continue with a heat source for a few extra weeks just at night- rather than 24 hours a day.

Water is one of the main differences in the requirements between Ducklings and chickens. Waterfowl need to be able to have access to water deep enough they can put their whole head into to keep their nostils and eyes clean. It can lead to quiet a mess when providing enough water for ducklings as they will pretty much want to play and swim in what ever container you give them.

Although here in Australia medicated feed produced for chickens is safe for ducklings- Many people in the USA recommend alternatives to the medicated chick starter. Someone closer to you may be able to suggest a particular brand.

Good luck with those ducklings... Gald they found a loving home.

 

[Makenabrwn]

Thanks for the advice I just want them to grow up safe and happy. I never have had ducks but I have been wanting them for awhile now. There in my garage right now and mixed with my silkie chicks. They got the wrong chicks at the store and got silkies so I bought all of them so they could order some moré that were suppose to be the right chicks. Im pretty nervous but I have been reshearching them so I will understand moré about them. If you have anymore advice feel free to tell me. Thank you sooooo much for the help

 

[dieselgrl48]

Congrats on your duckling's

.Probably by now you have experienced how messy they are lol.I have been raising ducks for about 5 years now.Since all of the ducks I have hatched were done so in an incubator I never let mine actucly swim or put them in water until they started getting thier feather coats.When mother ducks hatch their own babies they get a natural oil like protective layer on thier bodies which helps them repel water and keep them warm.Ducklings that are artificialy hatched dont have this and can get chilled very quickly and can die if they get wet and not dried good.As for feed duckyfronoz is right medicated feed can kill some duckling's.I recently have been getting the basic Dumor feed from tractor supply and my ducklings are doing good on it so far.Never give them Gamebird food etc.Just keep them warm and dry as possible until they grow some.I have 2 cayuga's about a month or so old and they are graduating already to a coop with a heat lamp and seperate water feed area this week.They grow quickly and get messier by the day.They are a joy to watch and have around when they grow and you get over the brooding stage.Enjoy your new duckies. DG

 

[dieselgrl48]

Oh darn I didnt read the last post.Do you have the ducklings in the same brooder as the silkies?The ducks will get those chicks wet and ....not good idea.I have on occasion housed A newborn duckling for a day with substainsiated chicks.Learned the hard way a couple times.Would hate to see ya lose any of you silkies so I would suggest seperating them ASAP.Hope all goe's well for ya. DG

 

[Makenabrwn]

I am going to seperate them as soon as possible. I just wanted to let them get confortable and not stress them out to much. I am going to go buy a plastic swimming pool for them and plan on putting shavings in it. If that is ok and all what type of shavings can I put in them? I have some fresh wood shavings from the other day could I put that in it?

 

[gryeyes]

Pine shavings, never cedar. That would be a great brooder, IF you can provide heat over part of it warm enough for ducklings. Ducklings don't need the heat as high as chicks do, you can start at 90 instead of 95 degrees for the first week, then it's the same, drop it 5 degrees a week.

I strongly suggest you get a Cool Whip container, cut a slice out of the lid, and use it for the duckling waterer.

They'll fling around a whole lot less water, but can still get their heads into it. Keep it full of fresh, clean water.

If you do provide swimming practice, just do it for very short periods, maybe 5 - 10 minutes, in a small dishpan (I'm using an upside down cake cover in this photo)

and then dry them off afterwards (as much as possible) and put them directly under the heat lamp again.

 

[dieselgrl48]

I use pine shavings for mine.Cedar is hard and doesnt absorb water as well and I have read also can be toxic to young bird's so I only put that to refresh a little on floors in coops and holding pens or sleep area's for Way older bird's.

 

[littlefarm2]

I have hatched ducks for the past 4 years and have good success with the chick starter for Tractor Supply. It's the starter/grower that I start them on the second day after hatching. I put mine in to swim in my bathtub when they are a week old with only enough water for them to stand in for about 10 minutes then just towel dry them before putting them back in the plastic tote that is there temporary home. I use pine chips as bedding and scoop out everyday (a big cat little scoop works great). Good luck and enjoy!!