Getting new Ducklings (:

[TheRookie]

I'm getting new chicks and new ducklings on Saturday!! I'm so excited right now! They will all go together for a while because of limited space in my room but I have the ability to separate them if I need to. I am using two boxes with a hole cut for them to go back and forth. The smaller of the two will have feed and water while they will have a (hopefully) cleaner large box where they can sleep and play. I do have some questions though... Can I just use niacin tablets for the ducklings? Will it hurt the chicks to get the extra niacin? I just really want to do this right and I want to be prepared. Here are some pics of my brooder. There are puppy pads under the shavings and after I took the pics, I added paper towels just to be safe.

 

[Amiga]

Good start!

Are you going to have some kind of platform-splashcatcher in the annex? I like the concept of separating them. That is how my adult ducks' house and porch are.

Have you tested out your heating system to see if you can maintain the 90, 85, 80 etc. degree temperatures?

How many will you be getting?

Ducklings grow much much faster than chicks, so between their water habits and size, you may need to separate them pretty soon.

Just make sure the bedding is no-skid to avoid splay leg. Do you have a head washer? Gryeyes uploaded pics a year or two ago of hers (a margarine tub with a hole cut out of the lid).

I need to check on the chick niacin situation. Perhaps someone over at the chicken forum could answer, and you could post here (and then maybe, maybe I will remember this time!)

Please keep us posted!

 

[TheRookie]

My heat works fine, worked for all 17 chicks we had recently. They were never cold, in fact I had to move the lamps up sooner than expected because they were warm. We are getting 3 muscovy ducklings and 5 chicks. I figured they wouldn't stay together long because of size but I wanted to at least try it. And as for a water catcher, I'm going to put in a flat plastic dish that will hopefully catch most of the food and water spillage. I'll have the butter tubs they will be traveling home with to use as a headwasher. hope I answered everything, I'll try to post over on the chick forum tomorrow and see what they say on niacin. thanks

 

[jessiduck]

The ducks, I feel, need more niacin than the chicks do.
So glad you're using puppy pads! They will make your life so much easier---with ducks especially!
I just want to add that the cardboard boxes for the ducks will be very temporary! They love to make gigantic messes, and soak things to the point of no return! I have mine in a plastic clothing tub! It gets changed twice a day and its much easier to dry with paper towels and to house down when it gets very dirty!

I wish you best of luck and I hope you have a wonderful time with your ducklings and chickens! You can't help but fall in love at first sight of them!

 

[TheRookie]

I know they probably won't stay in the box long but I'm hoping to make it last as long as I can because otherwise I'll have to have them split up and I don't have anything big enough for 5 chicks and of course I only have 2 heat lamps.. So.. I'll be looking at Walmart and trying to find a larger tote than what I have now. If not.. they will go in the kiddie pool we got them and we'll just have to put up wire around it. I have no school tomorrow, so I have all day to move things around and get things set up.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I know they probably won't stay in the box long but I'm hoping to make it last as long as I can because otherwise I'll have to have them split up and I don't have anything big enough for 5 chicks and of course I only have 2 heat lamps.. So.. I'll be looking at Walmart and trying to find a larger tote than what I have now. If not.. they will go in the kiddie pool we got them and we'll just have to put up wire around it. I have no school tomorrow, so I have all day to move things around and get things set up.

I have the toe warmers for trip home!!

 

[TheRookie]

I have the toe warmers for trip home!!

Good! I've got three boxes set up for the trip home just in case I end up with more than originally planned lol

 

[TheRookie]

I am so excited for Saturday!! I even bought a duckling diaper so my new babies can run around and I won't get fussed at for getting poo on the floor lol. Are they like chicks, the more you handle em, the tamer they are? That's what I've read, just wanted some individual opinions.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I am so excited for Saturday!! I even bought a duckling diaper so my new babies can run around and I won't get fussed at for getting poo on the floor lol. Are they like chicks, the more you handle em, the tamer they are? That's what I've read, just wanted some individual opinions.

Yes once they know you as mama duck they will be your shadow. and good thing your bringing extra boxes sounds like there will be plenty to pick from. There will be name tags so we can all meet who we have been talking to.

 

[TheRookie]

Yes once they know you as mama duck they will be your shadow. and good thing your bringing extra boxes sounds like there will be plenty to pick from. There will be name tags so we can all meet who we have been talking to.

Oh how I wish I had a job! (My mom informed me that I can get as many more animals as I want as long as I can pay for everything to care for them.) And I'm glad for the name tags because otherwise I might never find anyone lol