Got 2 mallard duck chicks

[ChuckenGirl]

Well, long time no see everyone. Been real busy out on "the farm" but anyway, yesterday we officially became a "poultry farm" because now we have 2 duck chicks. Against my fathers will, I brought home these adorable fluffers and now i'm clueless. They're down in the brooder with the other chicks I have and I need to know a few things:

Can they swim now? They seem to be a few days old. I put them in their make shift pool and they stay in for a few seconds and then they run/swim/jump out.


Can you tell the gender now? Or do i have to wait until they get older?


Can i feed them the same chick food i'm feeding the other chicks or do they need special food?



Any other info. for a totally clueless kid is good also!

 

[chickensioux]

Hi and congrats! They can swim now but being so young I wouldn't let them swim for very long or unsupervised. I would feed them gamebird chick starter with water available at all times. They must be able to completely dip their bills under the water. They are too young to sex. If you have them with chicks, ducklings are very messy and will keep the brooder wet. I would seperate them but that is what I would do in this situation. Alot of folks keep duckies and chickies together with no problems. I just don't like the mess the ducks make for the chicks. Have fun!