Im getting my first ducks tomorrow..

[tadpole98]

A friend from work basically said ' You have a farm, right? Good. Get these ducks outta here'. Her daughter bought them as an FFA project and now that they have grown, they cant keep them anymore! So Off i go tomorrow to get some ducks. I dont know what age, breed, or gender they are so be prepared for questions. I know they need niacin, so I am ordering som efrom Amazon.com tonight. what else?

 

[Amiga]

Take a look at the stickies.

Are they adults or older ducklings?

They need predator-proof housing. If less than twelve weeks old or so, they may need some extra warmth. Depends on the duck.

If they are adults they may not need extra niacin - find out what they have been fed, and upload photo's so we can sort out some of your questions.

See how much background information you can get from them on breed, sex, age, previous feeding regimen, watering system, any of that, including health issues.

Congratulations! Welcome to the Duck Side.

 

[tadpole98]

I know these aren't adults, something like two or three months old? She already has them outside in a coop she describes as "it has three sides and a tarp over the top".. Doesn't sound predator proof to me lol
I used to, let's just say "collect" chicken coops. (I had to have them ALL). I am putting them in a 5 by 4 coop with run for a few days until their new coop is done. It will be 8' by 4'.
As for water ( for swimming) we have a little pond I can take them to during the day. It's about 2 feet deep and I don't know how big.

Is t okay to feed them chicken layer feed? Or should we run up and get some other food?

 

[Amiga]

I would offer them a grower ration at first, wait till they're laying for the layer feed.

A kiddie pool in their run might be good, too. Easier to clean. They can enrich water in a matter of minutes.

Bravo for taking them in!

 

[Going Quackers]

I would offer them a grower ration at first, wait till they're laying for the layer feed.

A kiddie pool in their run might be good, too. Easier to clean. They can enrich water in a matter of minutes.

Bravo for taking them in!

I agree! skip the layer till you know whether their ducks or drakes and of laying aging, they don't need the excess calcium. Kiddy pools are fantastic as you can control the cleanliness, this is all i use with my flock.

 

[tadpole98]

Okay quick question ( on my phone si I will keep this short)
I am getting their coop ready and I'm not sure which bedding to use. I have the option of:
Horse shavings
Straw
Hay

Which one?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Okay quick question ( on my phone si I will keep this short)
I am getting their coop ready and I'm not sure which bedding to use. I have the option of:
Horse shavings
Straw
Hay

Which one?

Horse shaving, much more absorbent than straw or hay.

 

[tadpole98]

Quote: Alright, horse shavings it is then! I will go out now and put together some temporary living quarters.


Do you think I should put the water/feed outside or inside?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Alright, horse shavings it is then! I will go out now and put together some temporary living quarters.


Do you think I should put the water/feed outside or inside?

How old are these ducks your getting? if babies then they'll need a brooder with a heat lamp and food and water 24/7. okay went and read your post, so not tiny ducklings and already outside, best to keep them penned up for a couple weeks till they get use to their surroundings and you of course. always feed them inside their pen and take food up when you lock them up at night to keep rats mice and preds from coming around. I don't put food and water inside they make such a mess with it. But you want them to get use to eating close to where they are going to be sleeping for the night so you can get them put up easier. Sounds like you have all bases covered and working on getting them their own safe house is a very good start to keeping your ducks healthy and woth you for a very long time. Giving them access to a pond has some draw back though if you have snapping turtles, they will eat young ducklings and have been known to mame adults. but just a simple childs plastic pool makes for a fun time with ducks. just be ready to clean if often they love playing in the mud and taking it into the pool with them. Have fun and look forward to some pics when you get them home.

 

[tadpole98]

Quote: Talked to her and she said she got them the week before easter. That makes them about 7 weeks old. With this warm and humid weather I think they will be okay outside (yes or no?). We are going to keep them penned up for a week like we would with chickens. About the snapping turtles.. I think I will skip on putting them in the pond then! We are going buy a baby pool until we can make a more permanent duck pond (not a pond, but a nice looking 'pool')