- Apr 24, 2013
- 5
- 2
- 64
OK, here's my story..!
We have 4 chicks that are almost 4 weeks old. They stay in the coop with a heat lamp during the day, and we put them in the brooder at night. Thanks to lots of research on BYC, our chicks are happy and healthy.
But..! I took my kiddos to feed the ducks yesterday. A car pulled up, and the driver asked my children if they would like a duck. When they didn't respond, the people got out of their car, practically tossed a duckling into the lake, and drove off! The duckling managed to climb out and followed us around for the rest of the afternoon. Naturally, we couldn't abandon the poor thing, so now we have 4 chicks and a duckling.. and I have no idea what to do!
The duckling is in her own "brooder" (a plastic tub) with pine bedding, chick starter, and water (all get changed frequently!). We have tried her to introduce the chicks, but the duckling nibbles them all over. It might be preening, but I can't tell if she's hurting them. She only has down, so I'm guessing she's about 2 weeks, but she's much bigger than the chicks. Based on coloring and what's available locally, I think she's a Pekin.
How can I introduce them safely, and when can they stay together in the coop? I know there's debate on separating them, but we are definitely back yard farmers. They will have to learn to get along.. Our coop is 4x4, and the run is 8x8. We have 2 dogs and will have to keep all our avian babies caged while the canine babies are out, so we plan on letting everyone roam in the fenced backyard on different schedules.
I will greatly appreciate any advice..!!
Oh, and are ducks really that messy?? Guess I'm looking for someone to say, "it's ok.. you can do this!" Hoping we made the right choice by keeping her. From what I've read, I don't think she would have survived otherwise..
We have 4 chicks that are almost 4 weeks old. They stay in the coop with a heat lamp during the day, and we put them in the brooder at night. Thanks to lots of research on BYC, our chicks are happy and healthy.
But..! I took my kiddos to feed the ducks yesterday. A car pulled up, and the driver asked my children if they would like a duck. When they didn't respond, the people got out of their car, practically tossed a duckling into the lake, and drove off! The duckling managed to climb out and followed us around for the rest of the afternoon. Naturally, we couldn't abandon the poor thing, so now we have 4 chicks and a duckling.. and I have no idea what to do!
The duckling is in her own "brooder" (a plastic tub) with pine bedding, chick starter, and water (all get changed frequently!). We have tried her to introduce the chicks, but the duckling nibbles them all over. It might be preening, but I can't tell if she's hurting them. She only has down, so I'm guessing she's about 2 weeks, but she's much bigger than the chicks. Based on coloring and what's available locally, I think she's a Pekin.
How can I introduce them safely, and when can they stay together in the coop? I know there's debate on separating them, but we are definitely back yard farmers. They will have to learn to get along.. Our coop is 4x4, and the run is 8x8. We have 2 dogs and will have to keep all our avian babies caged while the canine babies are out, so we plan on letting everyone roam in the fenced backyard on different schedules.
I will greatly appreciate any advice..!!
Oh, and are ducks really that messy?? Guess I'm looking for someone to say, "it's ok.. you can do this!" Hoping we made the right choice by keeping her. From what I've read, I don't think she would have survived otherwise..
i clean/change everything all the time tho my brooders and coop -----i seriously have OCD probably hahah my ducks aren't ever dirty either. they walk up to me and stand in a line to wait to get dried off after they get out of their pool then they all preen for an hour haha its so cute 
