alaskaducks
In the Brooder
- Aug 17, 2015
- 19
- 0
- 29
Hi all! Hubby and I live in a tiny fishing village, Port Protection, in southeast Alaska. To say we are rural is an understatement. This spring we purchased 24 golden 300 ducklings and they are now about 12 weeks old. They have the most secure coop and pen we could make. They have a small boat for a pond. I am feeding them the best food I can afford, right now Hiland Feeds naturals, and all their feed and straw has to be flown into our village (for the most part), so expensive is the word. Also, there are no roads here, no vets at all, and, like I said, everything has to be ordered and flow in; sometimes we don't get a mail plane for as much as 6 weeks. So with that information, here are some things I desperately need advice about:
1. Other than brewers yeast, diatomaceous earth and apple cider vinegar, what medical-type supplies should I have on hand for my babies?
2. We have an abundance of sphagnum moss on our farm. Can I dry this and use it for bedding if I should run out of straw? No chemicals or pesticides have ever been used on this property.
3. It never gets below 0 degrees here and their coop is well ventilated with deep straw bedding. Any ideas on keeping their floor drier. Right now, it looks like they have a pool party in there every night.
4. We will be putting a light on a timer in their coop very soon. Any recommendations for types or colors of light they need? Their coop is 8' x 16'.
5. We have been supplementing their diet with thoroughly rinsed raw kelp, raw salmon and halibut, and blueberries and blueberry leaves. They also get other treats, but I want to make sure that the kelp, raw fish and berries are okay.
6. This is my first time around with birds of any sort. My ducklings all run and scream when they see me, but, they're getting a little better about that. One of the ducks seems to have a sore foot or leg. She keeps her foot lifted up, but she will walk on it. She had a slight limp last night that was worse this morning, but better again this afternoon. I don't know if it's bumblefoot or if it's actually her leg. I am concerned that if I try to catch her she will hurt herself worse, but I will if it's best I inspect her foot. Any suggestions on how to separate and safely capture a duck from the flock?
Thank you all for your advice. BYC is an amazing site and I'm proud to finally be a bonafide poultry parent!
1. Other than brewers yeast, diatomaceous earth and apple cider vinegar, what medical-type supplies should I have on hand for my babies?
2. We have an abundance of sphagnum moss on our farm. Can I dry this and use it for bedding if I should run out of straw? No chemicals or pesticides have ever been used on this property.
3. It never gets below 0 degrees here and their coop is well ventilated with deep straw bedding. Any ideas on keeping their floor drier. Right now, it looks like they have a pool party in there every night.
4. We will be putting a light on a timer in their coop very soon. Any recommendations for types or colors of light they need? Their coop is 8' x 16'.
5. We have been supplementing their diet with thoroughly rinsed raw kelp, raw salmon and halibut, and blueberries and blueberry leaves. They also get other treats, but I want to make sure that the kelp, raw fish and berries are okay.
6. This is my first time around with birds of any sort. My ducklings all run and scream when they see me, but, they're getting a little better about that. One of the ducks seems to have a sore foot or leg. She keeps her foot lifted up, but she will walk on it. She had a slight limp last night that was worse this morning, but better again this afternoon. I don't know if it's bumblefoot or if it's actually her leg. I am concerned that if I try to catch her she will hurt herself worse, but I will if it's best I inspect her foot. Any suggestions on how to separate and safely capture a duck from the flock?
Thank you all for your advice. BYC is an amazing site and I'm proud to finally be a bonafide poultry parent!
