First time paranoid duck mom

[New2pekinducks]

Hi everyone. So I am new to ducklings and have some concerns!! So I have two pekin ducklings. I got them at two weeks from tractor supply. So they are four weeks now. They have been kept together. One-daffy I believe is a male and very protective of the other. Daisy is the smaller of the two. However both are the same age, eat the same food-starter, they have the water with nutrient packet. Daisy seems a little off- her balance isn’t very good it almost seems like her sight isn’t good either. So question. Why would they be different sizes. I read where she could be the runt. Am I hearing things or can ducks hiss. Should I be concerned about daisy.

 

[TheBeardie]

I've never personally had pekin ducks I've mostly had muscovies and I prefer them over any other duck. To my knowledge only drake, male, muscovies hiss. The ducks,female, kinda peep. You could have a runt or she have something wrong. I don't know much about the more 'domesticated' ducks, so I hope someone with more experience with pekins helps you!

 

[Helloworld]

Hi everyone. So I am new to ducklings and have some concerns!! So I have two pekin ducklings. I got them at two weeks from tractor supply. So they are four weeks now. They have been kept together. One-daffy I believe is a male and very protective of the other. Daisy is the smaller of the two. However both are the same age, eat the same food-starter, they have the water with nutrient packet. Daisy seems a little off- her balance isn’t very good it almost seems like her sight isn’t good either. So question. Why would they be different sizes. I read where she could be the runt. Am I hearing things or can ducks hiss. Should I be concerned about daisy.

Hi,

You need a blue light. I use a regular night light covering light with blue painters tape or permanent marker and hang it over my plastic bin. Ducks do not see very well at birth and bright light is hard on their sensitive eyes.

As for hissing, Ducks require deep enough water to be able to rinse their nasal passages. She may not be getting that. Also, they must have water to swallow food just in case you did not know. You said nutrient package. Electrolytes and probiotics or something else?

Is she a runt? My males grow faster than my females. He may be wearing her out using up all of her energy from being herded by him. I would put separate cage, side by side and see if your other one is hogging food.

 

[New2pekinducks]

Omg thank you so much I have been using the heat lamp for light and then natural light in the room they are in I will try the night light !!! The electrolyte is what I put in their water. I make a gallon and mix it in there every day. For the water I have their water dish inside another dish so that it can get deeper I knew they needed the deep water. He hisses when I pick him up after I pick her up. I’m not sure if she is the runt. She is just really small compared to him.

 

[New2pekinducks]

 

[Dandy's mom]

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Your babies are ADORABLE!

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

I've never heard of using a blue light. Usually the red heat lamp is enough. I left mine on all night and day for the first two weeks.
Looks like they need a deeper water source than the fount you are using.
@chickens really has great pics of hers. As well, they need deeper dishes for their food.
It's really too early to tell the sexes of your ducklings unless vent sexed at this age.
One is most likely eating more. Unless you when you bought them they were already sized differently.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Also, start reading through the sticky topics.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/ducks-sticky-topics-index.256233/
Maybe invest in Holderead's book how to raise ducks. I found it to be a great investment.

 

[chickens really]

My water dishes..Homemade. I use a 175watt red heat lamp for livestock and only heat half the Brooder.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

I'm one to do a bit of research and just because I have never heard of the blue light doesn't mean that it is not a viable option. So, found this article and would take it into consideration in regards to lighting.
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/articles/3539/effects-of-light-colour-on-poultry-health-and-welfare/

I did as @chickens really suggested. I only heated part of my brooder as ducklings tend to get hot and need a place to get away from the heat.