HELPP! Baby chicks and baby ducks.

[Joycejames]

So I’m new to this whole thing and have no clue what I’m doing.
I recently bought 3 ducklings and 4 chicks from TS. I have no idea how old they are exactly or what kind they are. Right now I have a makeshift brooder out of a DG plastic tub.
Please tell me everything I need to know.
When I need to separate them.
Food/water.
Do’s and Dont’s.
If I’m doing anything wrong.
My husband is going to build a coop this weekend. He’s been raised around chickens. But not ducks. And I bought these so they are my responsibility and I’m trying to do everything right and give these babies a good life.

 

[chickens really]

I never Brood or house the two species together. They both require different things. Chicks need to be dry and Ducklings are wet and messy.

 

[Joycejames]

Im planning on separating them in different browsers Saturday.

 

[Kris5902]

What are you using as a heat source?
And how big is your tub?

 

[Joycejames]

What are you using as a heat source?
And how big is your tub?

A heat lamp and bulb. I’ve got my brooder temp at 85°. And I’ve got them in a 18gallon blue plastic tub from dg.

 

[Fishkeeper]

And you didn't buy food?

Go back to tractor supply and buy a food that's labeled for ducklings, and a food for chicks. Be ABSOLUTELY sure you get a food for ducklings to give the ducks, or they won't have enough niacin and their legs won't grow properly.

You need to start reading everything in the helpful areas of the forum. Next time, wait to buy animals until after you research them.

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

I never Brood or house the two species together. They both require different things. Chicks need to be dry and Ducklings are wet and messy.

x2 on this advice. The tub looks too small to allow them to get away from the heat lamp if it gets too hot, so you'll need to watch them carefully to ensure they don't overheat (or, conversely, look cold), until you can get them into larger brooders. Chicks will chill easily if they get wet, and the ducklings will make the bedding soggy in about half a second.

The BYC Learning Center is a good place to start. There are comprehensive resources for raising chicks and ducklings there, covering nutrition, housing, behavior, etc. And the respective forums are there for questions, of course. Have fun learning about your new mixed flock!

 

[chicklove14]

They are Khaki Campbell ducks and Rhode Island Reds, I have gotten both of them before.

 

[Joycejames]

And you didn't buy food?

Go back to tractor supply and buy a food that's labeled for ducklings, and a food for chicks. Be ABSOLUTELY sure you get a food for ducklings to give the ducks, or they won't have enough niacin and their legs won't grow properly.

You need to start reading everything in the helpful areas of the forum. Next time, wait to buy animals until after you research them.

I bought food for them.

 

[Joycejames]

x2 on this advice. The tub looks too small to allow them to get away from the heat lamp if it gets too hot, so you'll need to watch them carefully to ensure they don't overheat (or, conversely, look cold), until you can get them into larger brooders. Chicks will chill easily if they get wet, and the ducklings will make the bedding soggy in about half a second.

The BYC Learning Center is a good place to start. There are comprehensive resources for raising chicks and ducklings there, covering nutrition, housing, behavior, etc. And the respective forums are there for questions, of course. Have fun learning about your new mixed flock!

Thank you! I’ve got the temp set at 85° right now.