First Duck. Any tips?

[neferset]

My first baby duckling hatched this morning. I am hoping I get more soon. I put him in the other bator with my newest chick because they were trying to get through the sides of the incubators to each other and the duck was somehow able to pry up a corner of the lid. They seem happier now. (In the future, I might have to explain why my baby duck follows a bantam chicken everywhere, though.)

Does anyone have any tips for me? Other than the fact that I probably shouldn't have put the duckling in with the chick?

 

[toletiquesbysam]

My 3 ducks were in the brooder with my chicks, they did just fine together! They do make more of a mess with water than the chicks but otherwise they will be fine together! The chicks always cuddled with the ducks for warmth, it was too cute!
I used a gallon of milk jug for the ducks water, cut a little bigger than "head" size holes about the middle area of the jug and then put the water in. That way the duck can get their head in and dunk their whole head, they need water with their food so they can eat it.

 

[neferset]

I have a mason jar chick waterer in there for the chicks. Would that be a problem? Of course, if I get more than one, I'll probably put them in a brooder by themselves. I can get as many as 12 or so, I think. They aren't due until tomorrow. I think this little one is the advanced scouting party.

 

[rainplace]

the waterer will be fine. congrats on your first duck!

 

[neferset]

My second duck is back to work on his shell!

He was so quiet all morning, I thought I lost him.

 

[eggybritches]

Chicks are cute and all, but there is just something special about a messy stinky little duckling.

Congrats! You'll have to post pics!

What kind of ducks?

 

[neferset]

Khaki Campbells, so far. They are the ones hatching on day 27 anyway. I've also got a couple of Rouen and Black East Indies (not sure about them. They candled well all the way through, but I had them in turners while candling. The bottom halves were clear when I took them out of the turners). Oh, and one goose egg.

 

[neferset]

My second Khaki Campbell hatched. I put them both in the brooder with the chicks, since everyone was sleepy in there. The Buff Orpington x Rhode Island Red chicks went into an immediate conference (that's exactly what it looked like) and the bantams all huddled around them for warmth.

 

[rainplace]

Quote:
I got a laugh out of this. I had the funniest picture in my head of a chicken conference.

 

[neferset]

I think they were assessing the potential dangers of the alien threat.

They must have decided everything was ok, because this morning they were eating and drinking together. The first little duckling even stopped his little white bantam (the one he was with in the incubator) from being picked on.