I just got ducklings! Need info on care.

[Featherland]

1. What is the best feed to give them?
2. What can I give them for treats as far as vegetation?
3. How old can they be when I start giving them treats?
4. Do they need grit like chickens to to digest vegetation?
5. How old do they have to be before they can go swimming?
6. What is the best way to deal with drinking water in the brooder?

My chicks are about 10 days old and I think they are Indian Runners.
I am sure I will have more questions but I would appreciate help with these.

 

[Whispering Winds]

If you do a search on baby duck care, there is some really good tips.

 

[1lpoock]

1. What is the best feed to give them?

Start them on 20% starter/grower feed. After about a month they can be switched over to grower/finisher with less protein. I always start mixing some cracked corn in their feed at about 2 months.

2. What can I give them for treats as far as vegetation?

Check this link

3. How old can they be when I start giving them treats?

Check above link again

4. Do they need grit like chickens to to digest vegetation?

I never gave mine grit until they started laying...then I just gave it in a small dish and they took it if they needed it.

5. How old do they have to be before they can go swimming?

You can start with supervised swimming at a few days old, always dry them off afterwards though. By a month they will have oils and they can swim in any water as long as they can easily get out.

6. What is the best way to deal with drinking water in the brooder?

I just used a regular gallon poultry waterer. They are ducks, it will get wet. You just have to clean out the brooder often. Then get them outside if it is warm enough and put the waterer out there with them.

POST PICTURES!!​

 

[Featherland]

The feed store sold me game bird feed at 22% protein. Is this ok to give them? I can't quite put them outside yet and they are making a BIG mess in their brooder. They have a chick waterer I placed in a glass pie pan but they soak everything by the end of the day.