How to best raise 18 day old Mallards from auction

[kaumlauf]

I have them inside in a large tote. I'm using a red colored heat bulb for warmth, but it's too hot, so I turn it off, are there less hot bulbs? I'd like to move them outside eventually. They need to stay inside until fully feathered, right? Will they follow my chicken hens into the coop at night or find bushes to hide in? Raccoons and owls are around. They are being handled and pet, and talked to to get used to me, and they are doing pretty well. I'll be feeding them TS duck grower and greens. Anything else? Thanks.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Here is some good info in this link.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/categories/ducks.30/
I would not feed anything other than their grower until you can get chick grit they need the grit to process greens and other things. They also need extra niacin to have strong legs. I use Nutritional yeast mixed into feed some use brewers yeast. 1 Tab per cup of feed until at least 10-12 weeks old. They should be as close to being feathered in before moving them outside, but looking at your set up, they will need a larger brooder pretty quick. Duckling grow supper fast. But on nice warm days take them outside and let them run around with supervision of course and your going to want to get your hens used to them also chickens can put a hurting on young duckling and even ducks. So making sure they will be safe cooped with your hens is very important. They are sure precious enjoy them.

 

[kaumlauf]

If I turn them out now, for supervised day trips, won't it be a challenge to round them up without running after them? I want to avoid chasing and scaring them...

 

[HollowOfWisps]

How warm is it outside where you are at during the day and night?

 

[kaumlauf]

Days, 75 to 85, and nights, 60-70. The red heat lamps are too much heat, is there a smaller incandescent bulb you recommend?

 

[HollowOfWisps]

If I turn them out now, for supervised day trips, won't it be a challenge to round them up without running after them? I want to avoid chasing and scaring them...

At first they might be scared, but they will get used to you. Just calmly walk with your arms out. Picture it like herding cattle. Keep a distance, but put enough pressure as necessary to guide them. Too close too fast they will bolt somewhere you don’t want them to go, but calmly step as needed to guide them and they will move off of your body language accordingly. Eventually they will get to the point where to go in at night on their own and on the nights where they want to stay out later it’s easy to herd them up. Mine are used to it now so if they aren’t in the barn when it’s time for lock-up all I have to do is yell “ducky-duckies” and their heads pop up out of the weeds then they start waddling over.

 

[Miss Lydia]

If you have a fenced are you could also put them into it and be let them have outside time. Just stay with them it’s so good for them to get outside where they can run around get fresh air and exercise.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Days, 75 to 85, and nights, 60-70. The red heat lamps are too much heat, is there a smaller incandescent bulb you recommend?

I used a 125 red lamp but that may even be too warm do you know the temp in the brooder?

 

[muddy75]

Days, 75 to 85, and nights, 60-70. The red heat lamps are too much heat, is there a smaller incandescent bulb you recommend?

I like reptile heat bulbs. Gets them used to natural daylight cycles

 

[muddy75]

I like reptile heat bulbs. Gets them used to natural daylight cycles

I think I purchased 80W from amazon