Getting everything started

[ffadude]

Hello, my name is Sean MacKenzie. im with the Rio Vista FFA in California and i need some help. We're going to be raising market ducks to bring with us to our county fair. I wanted to know a few things
1. will ducklings and chicks be ok together when they're under the heat lamp?
2. When can i put them outside? (we have a large uncovered paved back lot behind our barn for excersizing pigs, lambs, and goats, they'll be staying there when they can)
3.what can i feed them?
4. would a deeper pool (like a small fishery tank) be bad for the ducks?
I'm planning on getting rouen chicks from Metzer farms by the way, but if you have a better breed choice, feel free.
Oh and one more thing, Hello! i just made my account today

 

[ffadude]

oh and also, what do i need to do about a coop? i might be able to get a wooden shed from the construction class and convert it to a coop if need be, would that work?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Ducks can be taken off of heat before chickens. The best way is to replicate mother nature. A broody hen chicken or duck don't heat up all the ambient air, they provide a warm spot and lots of cool space. Do the same with a couple heat lamps and let them find their comfort zone.
I say 2 lamps in case one goes out during the night.
Chickens do well with other livestock.
They can all eat a flock raiser or game bird feed of 20-24% protein while growing.
The ducks don't care how deep the water is.

Oh, and another thing,

 

[ChickenCanoe]

The birds don't care what their coop looks like or how it's built. As long as it is predator proof, has a water tight roof and big windows for adequate ventilation.

 

[ffadude]

alright. what we've been doing with the chickens is keeping them in a big tub, with shavings water and feeders, with a heater in a small room cranked up

 

[ffadude]

oh and are ducks tolerant to the heat? California summers are not forgiving here

 

[Miss Lydia]

Make sure they have plenty of fresh water and can get out of the heat and they should be fine. Here is a link to caring and raising ducklings, it's on the left side on the duck thread in case you want to read other things pertaining to ducks but this will get you started. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/750869/raising-and-caring-for-ducklings#post_10611711
AND

And about swimming water, duckling before they feather out do not have the oils yet to make their feathers water proof, so you need to be especially careful that duckling cannot get into anything too deep with water that they can't get out of or they can drown. Most here will let their ducklings start out with warm water up to their knees just to help them get started with preening and getting the taste of water so to speak[nothing more fun than watching ducklings dive and swim around in water] always with supervision. they can start as early as a few days old. The only problem I see with keeping chicks and ducklings together in a brooder is ducklings are very messy, love to throw and splash water all over the chicks may not appreciate that.