Keeping up with growing ducks???

[corriemartin]

How do you keep up with these rapidly growing creatures????

I haven't even had these for two weeks, and I'm already trying to figure out where to move them next. They're in their THIRD incarnation of a house. First was a medium sized stock tank, in the diningroom, which only lasted for four days before they outgrew it. Then I made a pen on the from some shelving units on the front porch (about three by six feet), with a dry area (MHP and light and lots of wood shavings)and a wet area (food and water), but they grew so fast that I had to make an annex (another 3 X 3 feet), and now, at not quite two weeks, I'm thinking that's too small too. I'm not ready to move them outside for real--haven't built their duck house yet; I thought I'd have plenty of time to get to that, but they're growing SO FAST. It's like they double in size between morning and afternoon, or between evening and the next morning. There are ten of them, Swedish blues.

What have you all done to house your growing ducks???

 

[tribalacres]

Scream and laugh all at the same time. . We actually built a house ahead of time by researching and yeah that was a total bust because we didn't consider the amount/rate they grow. We started in a kiddie pool with shavings, then a crib with wire as the floor and put pine pellets on top for a sturdier floor and much easier clean up. The house we built was just for night time but still wasn't comfortable with the size so we went bigger. We had ours moved out on week 5/6. We live in Florida so it's hot here. ducklings are almost as amazing as goslings . I hope that helped. I'm no expert just thought I would chime in...

 

[corriemartin]

Scream and laugh all at the same time. . We actually built a house ahead of time by researching and yeah that was a total bust because we didn't consider the amount/rate they grow. We started in a kiddie pool with shavings, then a crib with wire as the floor and put pine pellets on top for a sturdier floor and much easier clean up. The house we built was just for night time but still wasn't comfortable with the size so we went bigger. We had ours moved out on week 5/6. We live in Florida so it's hot here. ducklings are almost as amazing as goslings . I hope that helped. I'm no expert just thought I would chime in...

Oh, I certainly appreciate the perspective--and am glad that I'm not the only one who's ever had to scramble. I swear they're doubling in size about every day.

 

[Zan]

If it warm and you have a safe area, put them out during the day and only bring them in at night when it cools off. They don't need as much space at night since they are sleeping.

 

[tribalacres]

Oh, I certainly appreciate the perspective--and am glad that I'm not the only one who's ever had to scramble. I swear they're doubling in size about every day.

That’s exactly how we feel. So we ordered from a hatchery, two didn’t make it, so I reordered three more, and then they replaced three so imagine only preparing for six and having 11. Super fun! You go to sleep and the next moment you know you are checking on them and boom they are little giants. We found our crib and outside playpen on OfferUp, so it saved a ton of money and yes the pine pellets will save you so much stress and time. Just my opinion. When are you gonna start building the coop? Do you have a larger yard area that you can let them play out in the sun as the previous person said. Just be cautious of the birds in the sky. They love little ones.

 

[corriemartin]

That’s exactly how we feel. So we ordered from a hatchery, two didn’t make it, so I reordered three more, and then they replaced three so imagine only preparing for six and having 11. Super fun! You go to sleep and the next moment you know you are checking on them and boom they are little giants. We found our crib and outside playpen on OfferUp, so it saved a ton of money and yes the pine pellets will save you so much stress and time. Just my opinion. When are you gonna start building the coop? Do you have a larger yard area that you can let them play out in the sun as the previous person said. Just be cautious of the birds in the sky. They love little ones.

The yard is a little problematic. There's dog poop in it and lots of shrubbery (ie wildness), but mostly it's that we're not home all that much during the day, which is lasting until 8:30 pm now (we're out at the farm where the chickens already are and the ducks will be eventually). We need to finish a perimeter fence, and build the duck house and yard. I guess I should get on that ASAP, except that we're also needing to get the people-house ready. Ack. Too much to do. We probably should have waited. These ducks are SO entertaining; it's just alarming how fast they're growing.

 

[tribalacres]

The yard is a little problematic. There's dog poop in it and lots of shrubbery (ie wildness), but mostly it's that we're not home all that much during the day, which is lasting until 8:30 pm now (we're out at the farm where the chickens already are and the ducks will be eventually). We need to finish a perimeter fence, and build the duck house and yard. I guess I should get on that ASAP, except that we're also needing to get the people-house ready. Ack. Too much to do. We probably should have waited. These ducks are SO entertaining; it's just alarming how fast they're growing.

Oh so you’re building too on a farm. Exciting. Best wishes and you’re doing a great job. Breathe and before you know it, you’ll be sitting back enjoying it all on the farm.

 

[corriemartin]

Oh so you’re building too on a farm. Exciting. Best wishes and you’re doing a great job. Breathe and before you know it, you’ll be sitting back enjoying it all on the farm.

I can't wait for that point. It's a little nerve-wracking right now. I don't know how much longer I can keep them on the front porch. At least today, we drew up some plans, and a location for our duck house and yard.

 

[tribalacres]

I can't wait for that point. It's a little nerve-wracking right now. I don't know how much longer I can keep them on the front porch. At least today, we drew up some plans, and a location for our duck house and yard.

Keep us updated. Best wishes on all the growth and building.

 

[Beastxxx51]

My 2 Appleyards Rosie and Baxter age 6 weeks and 9 weeks you can almost see them growing. It’s crazy. I also have some 3 week old Appleyards currently only 2 have names Jemima and angel