Help?

[ErinLeTourneau]

Hello, good day!

If you didn't know, I've just ordered some pekin ducklings that are going to be arriving in the week of May the 11th. I have owned turkey poults and chicks in the past, but not ducks.

Therefore, I do have a couple of questions. I also will put some things I've learned to make sure they are factual (thank you for your time).

Things I Know:
- Ducklings need to have their beaks dipped in the water every so often to make sure their bills are clean (please, *please* comment if you know how often I need to do this, I've heard different answers from different sources).
- Ducklings need a heat lamp on them at 90 degrees that is to be lowered five degrees every week (until an outside temperature).
- Ducklings cannot eat the same *medicated* feed as chicks since they do not have the same medical issues as chickens, but they can eat the same general feed.
- The water that the ducks should have cannot be too deep that the duckling can drown, but deep enough for the bill to be able to get wet. (Any depth recommendations?)
-The ducklings do not have the oils on their feathers similar to that of grown/adult ducks, therefore there needs to be extra precautions around water as they cannot float on water.
- Pekin ducks do not fly!
- Ducklings must have access to clean water to drink near their food.
- It is best to make the feed "mushy" at first to make it easier to swallow, but it needs to be replaced more often than regular feed.

Things I Question:
- Since pekins do not fly, what happens during migrating season? Is it best to keep them inside a heated coop, or something else?
- I've heard that ducks can be "walked". Is this humane or okay to do with a duck? If so, I'd love to try this, do you have to get them used to the harness young (similar to that of a foal with a halter)?
- When do the ducklings gain the ability of dipping their bills in the water by themself?
- Will they be okay with human contact (holding, petting, etc...) when they first arrive or should I just let them adapt to their new surroundings first? If not either of these, what do you recommend?

Please let me know if I missed anything, or, if you please, let me know the answers to my questions.

Thank you so, so much!!
-- Erin

 

[Chloes chicks]

They won’t fly away during migration season or leave the coop or the surrounding area they usually don’t stray to far for me and we have lots of water around and they stay close to the house you won’t need a heated coop unless it gets in the 20 degrees and even then a heat lamp is okay if you pet them and play with them from a young age they will imprint and love to follow u however I have walked my ducks before and it’s humane as long as you don’t jerk them ive never had to dip beaks in water so should just do it as soon as u get them just once so they no where the water is when little give them a tiny water container like a paint tray and they should be good just wait to introduce the swimming and splashing water for maybe a day or two and once they get the oils after about 1 week then you can actually let them swim other than that you seem like a prepared duck owner

 

[Isaac 0]

Hello, good day!

If you didn't know, I've just ordered some pekin ducklings that are going to be arriving in the week of May the 11th. I have owned turkey poults and chicks in the past, but not ducks.

Therefore, I do have a couple of questions. I also will put some things I've learned to make sure they are factual (thank you for your time).

Things I Know:
- Ducklings need to have their beaks dipped in the water every so often to make sure their bills are clean (please, *please* comment if you know how often I need to do this, I've heard different answers from different sources).

Ducklings are capable of drinking water by themselves

- Ducklings need a heat lamp on them at 90 degrees that is to be lowered five degrees every week (until an outside temperature).

Correct, but make sure the ducklings can move away from the heat as needed, different breeds require different temps.

- Ducklings cannot eat the same *medicated* feed as chicks since they do not have the same medical issues as chickens, but they can eat the same general feed.

Ducks can be fed medicated chick starter, BUT it would be advised you don't since medicated chick starter contains thiaminase which can inhibit proper thiamine absorption. They should be fed a feed intended for all poultry or for waterfowl specifically,

- The water that the ducks should have cannot be too deep that the duckling can drown, but deep enough for the bill to be able to get wet. (Any depth recommendations?)

I keep the water deep enough so they can clean their nares for the first week, and then add a deeper dish so they can partially swim in.

-The ducklings do not have the oils on their feathers similar to that of grown/adult ducks, therefore there needs to be extra precautions around water as they cannot float on water.

Yes.

- Pekin ducks do not fly!

No, they can't fly, their wingspan is not in portion to their weight.

- Ducklings must have access to clean water to drink near their food.

Correct.

- It is best to make the feed "mushy" at first to make it easier to swallow, but it needs to be
replaced more often than regular feed.

Sure.

Things I Question:
- Since pekins do not fly, what happens during migrating season? Is it best to keep them inside a heated coop, or something else?

Ducks can survive the winter fine, wild birds migrate south during the winter because the lack of available food sources, not the cold. No heat needs to be provided, just ensure they have a draft-free area with thawed water and available feed.

- I've heard that ducks can be "walked". Is this humane or okay to do with a duck? If so, I'd love to try this, do you have to get them used to the harness young (similar to that of a foal with a halter)?

They can, but most don't enjoy being taken for walks.

- When do the ducklings gain the ability of dipping their bills in the water by themself?

They are able to dip their bills in water from day one, they need no assistance to drink water.

- Will they be okay with human contact (holding, petting, etc...) when they first arrive or should I just let them adapt to their new surroundings first? If not either of these, what do you recommend?

I would let them acclimate to their new home first, shipping can be very stressful for them, so constantly picking them up, may make them more stressed.

Please let me know if I missed anything, or, if you please, let me know the answers to my questions.

Thank you so, so much!!
-- Erin

 

[Isaac 0]

I just reread your first question, that would not be needed.

 

[Texag87]

Adult Pekins fly. About 3 inches off the ground and about 18 inches forward.

 

[Isaac 0]

That's more like a jump..lol

 

[ojust4today]

Hello, good day!

If you didn't know, I've just ordered some pekin ducklings that are going to be arriving in the week of May the 11th. I have owned turkey poults and chicks in the past, but not ducks.

Therefore, I do have a couple of questions. I also will put some things I've learned to make sure they are factual (thank you for your time).

Things I Know:
- Ducklings need to have their beaks dipped in the water every so often to make sure their bills are clean (please, *please* comment if you know how often I need to do this, I've heard different answers from different sources).
- Ducklings need a heat lamp on them at 90 degrees that is to be lowered five degrees every week (until an outside temperature).
- Ducklings cannot eat the same *medicated* feed as chicks since they do not have the same medical issues as chickens, but they can eat the same general feed.
- The water that the ducks should have cannot be too deep that the duckling can drown, but deep enough for the bill to be able to get wet. (Any depth recommendations?)
-The ducklings do not have the oils on their feathers similar to that of grown/adult ducks, therefore there needs to be extra precautions around water as they cannot float on water.
- Pekin ducks do not fly!
- Ducklings must have access to clean water to drink near their food.
- It is best to make the feed "mushy" at first to make it easier to swallow, but it needs to be replaced more often than regular feed.

Things I Question:
- Since pekins do not fly, what happens during migrating season? Is it best to keep them inside a heated coop, or something else?
- I've heard that ducks can be "walked". Is this humane or okay to do with a duck? If so, I'd love to try this, do you have to get them used to the harness young (similar to that of a foal with a halter)?
- When do the ducklings gain the ability of dipping their bills in the water by themself?
- Will they be okay with human contact (holding, petting, etc...) when they first arrive or should I just let them adapt to their new surroundings first? If not either of these, what do you recommend?

Please let me know if I missed anything, or, if you please, let me know the answers to my questions.

Thank you so, so much!!
-- Erin

 

[ojust4today]

Hello, I read over your entire post and have raised baby ducklings for the first time recently. I may have not did everything to the expectations of many but there all alive and well so I did a lot right. First off, it’s way easier then it seems like you think. You have some good questions but it seems like you are overthinking it a bit. You have did your research and a lot if what you mentioned is true.
When we got our ducklings we put them in a large tote with a heat lamp. We gave them access to water and duckling feed. We gave crumbled feed that we did not wet down. However every thing will end up wet. They are very curious and messy when they are babies in a tight space. I did not feed them that food or not feed them the other food for any reason. We just grabbed that cause it was easily available. We began letting the ducklings swim something where they could stand and feel out the water. We noticed though from the first dip they were ready to go they wanted to life up their feel and glow through the water like ducks. So we did that a couple more times. Then we got a baby pool. We filled it up 1/2 way and they were loving life. We out a wooden log in the middle that floated and they climbed right up on it. We were so surprised cause they were so little. We wrapped up the bottom of our trampoline with a roll landscaping Liner. What you out under your mulch to prevent weeds. If it was sunny they were out there for hours. I would put like the lid from a plastic dessert tray you get at the grocery store out there. Something that they could get in and out of by their selves. They loved it. We kept them under a heat light indoors in the tote for a few weeks. Then we took them outside with all the other poultry where we have a heat light on at night and they have did fine. They are still little. They come and go as they please. They go into the pond and are able to climb in and out if it with no assistance. They stay close to the edge. Now they are going on 3 months old. They eat chicken crumbles. I am not sure about walking them in a harness personally I would not recommend to do that. Just learn as you go. Through experience and most less I have learned the most. One thing I wound suggest you do is read about the duck imprint. That was the most fascinating to me. Good Luck.... so exciting.
I have 5 Peking ducks they will be one in June. I am in awww of them on a daily basis, there personalities are awesome. There eggs are delicious.

 

[ErinLeTourneau]

Thank you so much for your reply! It was very informal, I appreciate it a lot.

 

[ErinLeTourneau]

Adult Pekins fly. About 3 inches off the ground and about 18 inches forward.

Hello, I read over your entire post and have raised baby ducklings for the first time recently. I may have not did everything to the expectations of many but there all alive and well so I did a lot right. First off, it’s way easier then it seems like you think. You have some good questions but it seems like you are overthinking it a bit. You have did your research and a lot if what you mentioned is true.
When we got our ducklings we put them in a large tote with a heat lamp. We gave them access to water and duckling feed. We gave crumbled feed that we did not wet down. However every thing will end up wet. They are very curious and messy when they are babies in a tight space. I did not feed them that food or not feed them the other food for any reason. We just grabbed that cause it was easily available. We began letting the ducklings swim something where they could stand and feel out the water. We noticed though from the first dip they were ready to go they wanted to life up their feel and glow through the water like ducks. So we did that a couple more times. Then we got a baby pool. We filled it up 1/2 way and they were loving life. We out a wooden log in the middle that floated and they climbed right up on it. We were so surprised cause they were so little. We wrapped up the bottom of our trampoline with a roll landscaping Liner. What you out under your mulch to prevent weeds. If it was sunny they were out there for hours. I would put like the lid from a plastic dessert tray you get at the grocery store out there. Something that they could get in and out of by their selves. They loved it. We kept them under a heat light indoors in the tote for a few weeks. Then we took them outside with all the other poultry where we have a heat light on at night and they have did fine. They are still little. They come and go as they please. They go into the pond and are able to climb in and out if it with no assistance. They stay close to the edge. Now they are going on 3 months old. They eat chicken crumbles. I am not sure about walking them in a harness personally I would not recommend to do that. Just learn as you go. Through experience and most less I have learned the most. One thing I wound suggest you do is read about the duck imprint. That was the most fascinating to me. Good Luck.... so exciting.
I have 5 Peking ducks they will be one in June. I am in awww of them on a daily basis, there personalities are awesome. There eggs are delicious.

Thank you so, so much for that in-depth response. I guess I did research a little too deep! Lol! I guess you’re right — I should learn as I go!! Tysm, and have a great day!!