Help!

[callmeRISH]

So I'm getting ducklings from metzer farms shipping on July 28. When I get them I should immediately put them in the brooder with heater I know that. From ther I have questions
1. Where is metzer farms based from
2. Should I give them some sugar water
3. Will I need to mix brewers yeast with there food and how much for two welsh harlequin ducklings
4. Anything else that would help like when to switch them to grower feed and other stuff

Help me I'm so nervous\anxious\worried

 

[callmeRISH]

Scratch that we are buying the ducks from purely poultry farms in Montfort Wisconsin I think it Montfort it's north of Oshkosh that's all I know. If you have experience with this place please put that in your reply to

 

[callmeRISH]

Please help

 

[callmeRISH]

I'm not getting much help here...

 

[desertdarlene]

Sorry, can't help with the other hatchery. Metzer Farms is based in California, but have a good track record with shipping ducks across country. You can get gro-gel if you want, to help with the trip. I recommend that for long distances. The other questions I can't really answer.

 

[Amykins]

First off, yay for duckies!

I don't know about the sugar water, I don't think I'd feed that to them but some mashed up cooked egg yolk would be great. As for the brewer's yeast, you only need that if you can't find duck starter or crumbles. If all you can find is chick starter then yes, you will need to add niacin. The yeast will work, I just crush up a niacin pill, you can find 'em in any supermarket. As for how long, starter feed is usually given for two weeks before you swap to grower, and then finally, layer pellets. I'm not sure how long you'd need to give them niacin, but you do want to keep an eye on their protein levels, too much will cause angel wing!

 

[callmeRISH]

we r getting ducklings not eggs and we switched back to metzer. what is gro gel. couldi please get help with other questions

 

[Amykins]

we r getting ducklings not eggs and we switched back to metzer. what is gro gel. couldi please get help with other questions

I know, I edited my comment after I realized my mistake. Go read it.

For future reference, BYC has some great articles on how to raise ducklings, all you gotta do is run a forum search. It's good that you have a few weeks until they arrive, but as for me when I chose to get ducks I researched to find out everything I could possibly learn about them before taking the plunge and getting the eggs. When dealing with living beings, you can't afford to wait until something bad happens to learn about the potential risks, diseases and hazards. Something I learned the hard way, unfortunately. :/

 

[callmeRISH]

i know ive looked at several sources i ordered storeys guide to ducks this morning but i just want to make sure i do all this right. and thanks i will run a forum search

 

[Amykins]

i know ive looked at several sources i ordered storeys guide to ducks this morning but i just want to make sure i do all this right. and thanks i will run a forum search

Forgive me, it's just as a vet tech and shelter volunteer I see all too often people who want something cute, but then break down and abandon it when it hits them just how much work it is. Every time I have to do the paperwork on an owner relinquish request, all that goes through my mind is this:

Either way, I hope you love your duckies and they thrive in your care! Sorry I wasn't able to answer all of the questions you had, I'm in the beginning phase too. I got my starter crumbles ready and my eggs just went into lockdown today. If you want we can be "newbie duckling buddies", like a two-person support group, hehe!