Help!! I'm a newbie in duck raising and I'm not sure what to do!

[alexkimoto12]

Hey everyone! I just got some new ducklings from the feed store and I really need your help! I used to have Buff ducks, but I got them as full grown ducks, just a boy and a girl.

I have a couple questions I'm hoping you guys can answer...

First, I got some ducklings at the feed store but now I'm a little worried. We got 4 blue/black Swedish and 4 Rouen ducklings. We were originally going to get a girl and a boy Swedish and a girl and a boy Rouen.
The lady at the feed store didn't know how to sex them, so I had to do it. We were in a rush so I just did it quickly... Big mistake! (Ps I just learned from YouTube) After I got home I double checked before I named them and it turned out we accidentally got two male Rouens! I decided to simply go back and get two more girls, but while I was there my sister got a female and a male Swedish.
So now we have eight ducklings, and it's 4 girls and 4 boys, is that going to be a problem, or will they all get along? Do I need to get rid of some of them?

Second, all I am currently feeding them is non medicated chick starter, do I need to give them something else?

And what are the best treats for ducklings?

Also, do ducklings need chick grit?

 

[flossyfelix]

Congrats on the new crew! They will need some extra niacin, brewers yeast or nutritional yeast will work great! As far as treats this is a great go too!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/242460/the-ultimate-list-of-duck-treats-and-supplements

Now as far as the Drake to duck ratio, I'm not 100% sure. I know Drake are very territorial... & Very hormonal during spring(mating season) idk if because everyone has a girl they will be OK... Or it so many Drakes will fight over the girls, which could end up in death for the ladies. (Drakes will rape ducks & are very aggressive!) However...@Miss Lydia @Amiga aren't go too duck mom's & will be better with answering your questions!

Good luck! & I hope everything works out for the best! Xo.

 

[alexkimoto12]

Okay! Thank you!

 

[Amiga]

I think flossyfelix covered it - often there are problems in flocks with too many males. We only have one because I do not want to risk issues. As it is, Bean and his two girls are their own flock because he has a fixation problem with Romy. Long story.

Anyway, you may need to eventually rehome some drakes. Or you might be able to pen them separately. If you do, they would, I think, need to be some distance away from any females. I have been told that helps prevent aggression toward each other.

I would add the extra B vitamins. Plain niacin if you use that - not no-flush. Brewer's yeast if you use that - not baking yeast.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Hey everyone! I just got some new ducklings from the feed store and I really need your help! I used to have Buff ducks, but I got them as full grown ducks, just a boy and a girl.

I have a couple questions I'm hoping you guys can answer...

First, I got some ducklings at the feed store but now I'm a little worried. We got 4 blue/black Swedish and 4 Rouen ducklings. We were originally going to get a girl and a boy Swedish and a girl and a boy Rouen.
The lady at the feed store didn't know how to sex them, so I had to do it. We were in a rush so I just did it quickly... Big mistake! (Ps I just learned from YouTube) After I got home I double checked before I named them and it turned out we accidentally got two male Rouens! I decided to simply go back and get two more girls, but while I was there my sister got a female and a male Swedish.
So now we have eight ducklings, and it's 4 girls and 4 boys, is that going to be a problem, or will they all get along? Do I need to get rid of some of them?

Second, all I am currently feeding them is non medicated chick starter, do I need to give them something else?

And what are the best treats for ducklings?

Also, do ducklings need chick grit?

@alexkimoto12 Welcome to BYC.

I hate to tell you this but your drake to duck ratio is way off, It should be 1 drake to 2-4 ducks the more the better because drakes are extremely rough on ducks. Now there is always the exception to this rule @flossyfelix has a pair of Pekins and Felix is a perfect gentleman with Flossy. But that isn't usually the case. And drakes will fight with each other to the point of injury. Now saying all of this we are talking 4-5 months down the road right now you have ducklings so try not to freak out you have plenty of time to enjoy them before you decide what you want to do. But down the road your most likely going to have re home at least 2-3 drakes. Don't say your getting rid of them please, your going to find really good homes for the ones you can't keep.

Duckling do need chick grit if they are eating anything other than their chick starter. place in a bowl separate from feed or sprinkle on bottom of brooder.

 

[alexkimoto12]

Okay, thank you! I didn't mean to make it sound like I was going to do anything bad to the ducklings when I said I was going to get rid of them, it makes me sad to think I might have to re-home the drakes, I've already grown attached... but do you have any suggestions on what to do? What age do I need to rehome some of the drakes?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Okay, thank you! I didn't mean to make it sound like I was going to do anything bad to the ducklings when I said I was going to get rid of them, it makes me sad to think I might have to re-home the drakes, I've already grown attached... but do you have any suggestions on what to do? What age do I need to rehome some of the drakes?

If you decide you don't want to rehome any drakes get more females. You may have to separate everyone come mating season to keep the peace. split the girls up between the boys. How do you plan on keeping them will they all be penned up together or will they be free ranging most of the time? They will begin to get sexually active anywhere from 4-5 months that is when things can get rough. Right now just enjoy those babies.

 

[Niche Flock]

@alexkimoto12
Hello! I recently had to rehome my drakes to a friend who uses them for herding. I had 7 ducks and 4 drakes, and after the drakes killed one of the ducks, I knew it was time to do something. I kept them separated for a long time but after awhile it became difficult and the drakes spent all day frantically walking along the fence line. The drakes were 1 year old and they were already very aggressive. After my friend adopted them I promised only to adopt sexed female ducklings to lessen the heart break. A healthy ration in my mind would be 1 drake to ten females at least....

 

[alexkimoto12]

Okay, for @Miss Lydia I'm not really sure we were looking to get more ducks. We have eight, so our hands are pretty full... and we were planning on letting them free range half the time, and be in their coop/duck run the other half of the time. I just wasn't sure what age was best to rehome the two ducklings...

And for @Niche Flock thanks for the info! I'm sorry about losing that duck! And for having to rehome some drakes!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Okay, for @Miss Lydia I'm not really sure we were looking to get more ducks. We have eight, so our hands are pretty full... and we were planning on letting them free range half the time, and be in their coop/duck run the other half of the time. I just wasn't sure what age was best to rehome the two ducklings...

And for @Niche Flock thanks for the info! I'm sorry about losing that duck! And for having to rehome some drakes!

@alexkimoto12 might be best to let them go now as hard as it is, but then again when all Hell-o breaks out when they are older you may be really ready to let them go just to keep the peace and your sanity . Really up to you.