Excited

[TLWR]

Wow. I can not even imagine trying to deal with 30 ducklings. Trying to capture 3 from the back corner of the kennel to put them in the enclosed area on the deck for them during the day and then convincing them I'm not going to kill them so I can pick them up again to go back into the kennel for the night is plenty. I couldn't imagine doing that 27 more times LOL

Oddly, they are much smaller now at ~2.5 weeks than I was expecting. But that works for me. But even at their still small size, they make a huge mess (hence moving them to the deck during the day so I can just hose that down!)

 

[mommyofthreewithchicks]

Hubby loved the ducks~ I guess one of the kids slipped the day before so he knew his present had to do with ducks but he was still surprised at how many. We played with the ducklings a lot yesterday- very fun to watch them!

Shawn decided to give them more water late last night so when I checked them at bedtime they had made a swimming pool with that water~ they were sad to see it go. I clean up the brooder and only gave them a small waterer with no food for the night. This morning they were quite happy to see the food and new water. Today I am working on their space in the barn, so they can be out there full time in a swimming pool brooder.

 

[katharinad]

They should have food at night too. They need food and water 24 hours a day for the first couple of weeks.

 

[mommyofthreewithchicks]

I was worried about their water, since it seems every few hour I have to put more in. But I will figure out something for tonight- Thanks.

 

[mommyofthreewithchicks]

Ducks have proved to be very entertaining tonight. We cleaned out the brooder as DH decided they needed a bigger waterer- thus splashing the water everywhere. I have educated him that no they really don't need a swimming hole in the brooder box

One got it's foot caught on the water/pan and I had to rescue it- looked fine afterwards. I have not decided if they are more work than the chicks as the chicks were also a bunch of work

We all are excited for the adventure!

 

[Amiga]

I remember how wonderful it was to have the ducklings! Hooray for you!

Please do not be discouraged by their splashing. It is normal and healthy. Just remember you will need to manage for it, which does not include keeping water or food away from them at all for the first few weeks! They need that food and the water at the same time so they will grow up strong and happy!

I used splash catchers - you can make them many ways - search the topics and find tons of information on keeping the brooder manageable (forget dry and clean).

I changed the brooder three to five times daily. It was a labor of love, and it only lasted for a matter of weeks. Keep saying that - just weeks, not forever, they are cute, I love them, it's only for a little while, they will grow up and be outside making their mud puddles!

They need to be able to wash their little faces - wading in a container with 90 degree F water (don't want them to get chilled) up to their bellies worked for me. Their first swim was in a cake pan!

As they grew I found ways to give them tubs or little buckets deep enough to immerse their heads - it keeps the eye and sinus infections away.

Wifezilla has a neat brooder setup (as do many others - I just can't remember them all). Again, search the topics. There was so much brooder action going on in March and April it made my head spin!

Enjoy!

 

[mommyofthreewithchicks]

Thanks Amiga- I have been letting them play, just in a control tub

As for their water tonight I am going to fill up the chick water to the top right before I go to bed and I have been making mush out of their starter food. When I turn out the lights (minus their heat light) they seem to settle down and go to sleep for a while. During the day they have been mostly playing. I am working on their Swimming pool brooder that is located out in the barn and hope to have them out there later this week. We are also working on their full time quarters which will also be in the barn along with the chickens winter housing.

Isn't it fun when you try and do ten projects at once

Good news is that DH is trying to fit in some time to help.

 

[mommyofthreewithchicks]

Lets see if I've done this correctly these are my ducklings

 

[shelleyd2008]

One trick I've learned to feeding ducklings is to use the gallon water bases. Put the feed in the 'ring' on the bottom (where the water would normally be), and put a bowl with lid in the center. Cut some holes in the top of the bowl so they can get a drink but not get in it. Most of the water they spill will spill onto the food, and they won't make near as much mess in their brooders