I had been reluctant to order animals through the mail. My greenwing macaw had a mangled toe that had to be amputated as somehow his foot got caught in some wire when he was shipped. But happily, my little duckies seemed to have fared well this warm week. While pricing duckies for a future order from Ideal the other day, I hit the submit button. Oops, no more procrastinating. I called the folks there to ensure that I wouldn't get any packing peanuts (I love my roos but they don't love each other, so I don't want more). Their customer service was great and my little two day old girls arrived at the PO this morning: 3 fawn and white runners and 2 crested pekins.
I got a pair of baby ducklings at TSC last spring, and a muscovy baby last summer, all probably only a few days old (5-7?) when I got them. All fared well on just chick starter, but now I've read so much, I'm completely disoriented. A few questions-
-They all drank a lot of water and are eating moistened chicken starter crumbles (20%). I got some Gro-gel with my order. What's the bet way to give it to ducklings and for how long?
-I read about taking the water away from them for periods when they don't have food so they don't drink too much. Is this necessary? (I'll do it at night though)
-How long is it safe to let the mash sit for them to nibble on before discarding? (Aside from when it's obvious they pooped in it)
-When can I give them straight up dry food, as opposed to the mash I'm making?
-If I go to the store for niacin tablets, what strength should I look for and how should I dilute it?
-I've got a towel down so they don't get spraddle leg. When can I switch to straw or wood shavings? Is one better than the other or is it just a matter of preference?
-When is it best to start handling them a lot so they're tame? My pekins from last year were total spazzes and only reluctantly come to me now to grab treats. But my muscovy drake was always a totally mellow lap duck. I want my new girls to be people friendly.
I got a pair of baby ducklings at TSC last spring, and a muscovy baby last summer, all probably only a few days old (5-7?) when I got them. All fared well on just chick starter, but now I've read so much, I'm completely disoriented. A few questions-
-They all drank a lot of water and are eating moistened chicken starter crumbles (20%). I got some Gro-gel with my order. What's the bet way to give it to ducklings and for how long?
-I read about taking the water away from them for periods when they don't have food so they don't drink too much. Is this necessary? (I'll do it at night though)
-How long is it safe to let the mash sit for them to nibble on before discarding? (Aside from when it's obvious they pooped in it)
-When can I give them straight up dry food, as opposed to the mash I'm making?
-If I go to the store for niacin tablets, what strength should I look for and how should I dilute it?
-I've got a towel down so they don't get spraddle leg. When can I switch to straw or wood shavings? Is one better than the other or is it just a matter of preference?
-When is it best to start handling them a lot so they're tame? My pekins from last year were total spazzes and only reluctantly come to me now to grab treats. But my muscovy drake was always a totally mellow lap duck. I want my new girls to be people friendly.
