I have only ever had ducklings once...

[Mom2Munchkins]

About 3 years ago, we bought 6 duckings at TSC. They were fine for a bit, maybe a week, and then one by one, they would get really tipsy and twitchy, and just stop breathing.

We lost all 6, and had no idea why. But this year I plan on getting ducks/ducklings and I do NOT want a repeat. Does anyone know if I by chance did something wrong??

 

[Mom2Munchkins]

BTW..... Decent Deal??

http://albany.craigslist.org/grd/1625496198.html

 

[tia]

We probably need more information. I would recommend buying "Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks." What were you feeding them? What did you use for bedding? How old were they? Where did you keep them? Did you have a light over them? What temperature was it? What kind of water dish did you have?

When they are little you have to keep them warm and slowly start reducing the temperature as they grow. You should have a lamp up above their brooder. I think the temperature should be around 90 when they first hatch and then slowly start reducing it. I've heard reduce it 5 degrees a week. You want to have a big enough brooder so they can move away from the heat if it gets too hot for them. They should have duck starter to begin with, some people feed them other things, but that has worked for me. If you search duck treats on here there is a wonderful list of things to feed ducks as treats. I'm sure you will get other good advice. Make sure their water dish is not too big, because they can drown in it. I use a dish and then fill it with enough marbles, so they can't get in. Their water dish should be full all the time when they have food in their dish. Some people take the food and water out at night. I don't usually, because I'm afraid they might get hungry. I put towels down on the bottom of the brooder and change it three or four times a day. I wash the towels in the washing machine after rinsing all the duck poo off of them. (it is a pain, but works well)

Then you have to make sure you post lots and lots of pictures on here so we can all enjoy them!!! Have fun!!!

 

[Mom2Munchkins]

I kept them the same as my chicks, and they all did fine...

Well, I did give them a bowl of water. It seemed like they would drink too much sometimes, or just start running really fast, and then keel over.

 

[tia]

Did you feed them chick food. Some say medicated chick food isn't good for them.

 

[Wifezilla]

The old style medicated food was deadly for ducks. The new stuff with ampro in it is fine.

I use game bird feed since I can't get duck food locally.

 

[Mom2Munchkins]

Quote:
I honestly can't remember if it was medicated. But do you think if that was the problem, that that's what could have happened? I am just afraid to get more ducklings, especially from TSC. But I do WANT them!

 

[tia]

I'm sure Wifezilla knows more about it than I do. I just read in books that you don't want to use medicated chick feed. She was saying that it used to be deadly, but it doesn't sound like from what she said that it is now. She I am sure - has more experience than I do, so I would go with what she has to say. There are others on here that could give you advice too.

 

[Wifezilla]

I used non-medicated when I brooded my ducks because that was what was available. Chick starter doesn't have enough niacin in it so I had to supplement with brewer's yeast.

If you really want to make sure there are no problems, get some waterfowl starter. Plan on having the feed store order it for you since so many places just don't carry it.