First batch of Welsh Harlequins hatching today !!! PICTURES ADDED !!

[duckyfromoz]

Give it a few days to add a swim dish since they are outside- rather that the depth of water- make sure the depth of the container is shallow enough for the babies to get out of. Something an inch deep would be ok so that they dont get waterlogged and stuck in the container not able to get out. As they grow you can give them something deeper. Also having something very shallow is less likely to cause your momma hen too much stress when she sees her babies playing in the water.

 

[shelleyb1969]

You need to feed them a gamebird starter...not chick feed. It will be ok for mama hen to eat the gamebird feed, too. If you're worried about the Niacin, just put an electrolyte/vitamin supplement in their drinking water. Congrats on the new ducklings. I have Harlequins, too, and I just love them.

 

[emjay]

I got some brewers yeast today.

How much of that do I add to the feed? and how often, and how long?

 

[missred871]

Quote:
I have never put brewers yeast in their food..... so I dont know what to say about that.... I give my babies either chick starter (non-medicated) or gamebird food. Occasionally I mix the two but only with certain bird types. I raise a lot of different species lol. With my scooter (the only duckling that hatched under my broody a couple weeks ago) I just feed him chick starter. He is in a house with three baby chickens (the result of another broody hen) so they all eat the same thing (non medicated). They are all happy and healthy. But they are not momma raised they are me raised lol.

 

[emjay]

I think I have a buyer fro them already, so I might not even have to worry too long about this

They are so cute, so if the bills are dark , are they definitely boys?
if they are dark with some pink patches on the side , would that be a boy too (the majority of that bill is dark, with slight pink on the side)
I am hoping there will be some girls in this group.

 

[emjay]

So i have a girl who wants to buy 2 , tomorrow !!

What is the best way to take the ducklings out without losing my hand or stressing mama too much?

 

[emjay]

well, it was a bittersweet photoshoot. minutes after the pictures were taken, they left for their new home with a very happy girl.
They are so cute, and mama hen, well, she is mad at me, and I can't blame her, she has been a good mama so far, but, the sooner I find them homes, the sooner she can return to the flock and get fat and sassy again.
I have never had ducklings before, it was kind of sad to see them leave, awe. I think I should stick to chickens, I can part with them easy enough now. Why do ducklings have to be so darn cute ??!!!!
I didn't think it would be so hard to let them go, haha. awe.

so do you think it is two boys here?

 

[BooBear]

They are cute.

 

[emjay]

anyone care to hazard a guess.

I think they are both boys, would you all agree?

 

[DuckyMom]

Niactin isn't mandatory but is always helpful. The unmedicated chick starter will be fine as long as the protien levels arent too high.
You shouldnt add play water until they have their first feathers come in. (they lack oil from a mama duck)
I think your hen should be a great mother! Post picturesss!