Ducklings!

[KOTurkeyRanch]

I have some questions:

What do you keep the brooder temp at?
When can they go in water?
Any distinct differences in mallards when they are born?

Ive never raised em so keep the info coming!

 

[duckyfromoz]

The requirements for the brooder temp reduce with the increasing age of ducklings. Starting at 85 F for day olds - 80 F for week olds 72, 65, 59 and then 55 F progresively in weeks of age. I have my brooder set up with a light at one end and the food the other- leaving enough space for ducklings to get further away from the heat if they are getting too warm. They will also crowd under the heat if it is too cool for them.

Duckling can be provided with a shaalow dish for supervised swimming from a few days old- but be sure to only have them in for a few minutes and that there is somewhere warm for them to dry off afterwards.

 

[Amiga]

KOTurkeyRanch,

I second duckyfromoz's advice on temperatures and swimming. I used a cake pan the first few days, with water at 90 degrees F, then the tub (they grow quickly) with water up to their bellies. Three of my eleven just stood around in the brooder afterward, so I would wipe them a little with a dry washcloth. After the fourth or fifth swim, everybody was preening happily afterward. They seemed to poop out after three to five minutes at first.

I am not sure I get your drift on differences in mallards. Could you give me a little more direction on that one?

I had a few mallards long ago - we raised them with Pekins.

Welcome to the Duck Forum!

 

[KOTurkeyRanch]

Quote:
Sorry, i meant to say are their any differences in sexes

 

[jbrown_14105]

A question.....(been 20-30 years ago when I had the last batch and I can't remember anything any more!)
When can ducklings go outside in a covered shelter with "duck run".
I have had 4 mallards & 2 Mascoveys now for a week but they were "older" than some at the feed store. They look to be 3-4 weeks old.
Still have "chick" feathers but they are getting big. They don't seem to need the lamp on in the day time unlike the baby chicks next to them in another nursery bin!
Thanks
Jim Brown
Lockport NY

 

[KOTurkeyRanch]

Not sure about ducks, but i know turkey poults can go out at like 8 weeks.

 

[Amiga]

Jim,

It is not just a when - what are the temperatures like where you are? At three weeks old, the ducks need to be about 75 degrees F, give or take 4 or 5 degrees.

In southern New England we are still getting some freezes at night. Not good for my ducks, now almost nine weeks old. They still need it to be 50, 55ish. They are mostly feathered, but they are a ways from being mature - they are still developing internally, so they need the energy they might spend trying to stay warm to grow up healthy.

If the temperatures your way are mild - like, the 70s, you could take some pressure off your indoor arrangements by having them in a predator-safe environment outdoors during the day, once it warms up and before it cools off (we do this).

 

[Amiga]

KOTurkeyRanch,

I don't recall being able to tell the difference with the young mallards, but maybe someone else knows a way, aside from vent sexing, which can be risky when done by someone inexperienced.