Muscovy ducklings...any tips?

[Silkiesaz]

Hi all, I just got these 2 ducklings from a friend. Any tips on how to care for them. And what are their colors? Their names are Cracker and Precious. View attachment 3214614View attachment 3214615

 

[ProudRedneck]

Hi all, I just got these 2 ducklings from a friend. Any tips on how to care for them. And what are their colors? Their names are Cracker and Precious. View attachment 3214614View attachment 3214615

I believe you have either Rouens or Mallards there. They are adorable

Keep food and water available at all times. Water needs to be deep enough for them to stick their whole head in in order to keep their nares and eyes clean, however you want to make sure they cannot get into the water dish while unsupervised to ensure they do not drown. My best suggestion would be a small Tupperware dish with holes cut in the lid so that they can fit their heads in but if they jump on top of the lid they won't go into the water, plus it will cut down on some of the spilled water ruining their dry bedding. It will take a little while for their oil gland to start working properly and them to learn how to spread that oil on their feathers to waterproof themselves. Swims in the bathtub for small periods of time is fine as long as you're watching them. I always left the higher side of the tub without water so that way they had the ability to get out of the water if they wanted. Kind of like a beach for them without the sand LOL

 

[Silkiesaz]

I believe you have either Rouens or Mallards there. They are adorable

Keep food and water available at all times. Water needs to be deep enough for them to stick their whole head in in order to keep their nares and eyes clean, however you want to make sure they cannot get into the water dish while unsupervised to ensure they do not drown. My best suggestion would be a small Tupperware dish with holes cut in the lid so that they can fit their heads in but if they jump on top of the lid they won't go into the water, plus it will cut down on some of the spilled water ruining their dry bedding. It will take a little while for their oil gland to start working properly and them to learn how to spread that oil on their feathers to waterproof themselves. Swims in the bathtub for small periods of time is fine as long as you're watching them. I always left the higher side of the tub without water so that way they had the ability to get out of the water if they wanted. Kind of like a beach for them without the sand LOL

I believe you have either Rouens or Mallards there. They are adorable

Keep food and water available at all times. Water needs to be deep enough for them to stick their whole head in in order to keep their nares and eyes clean, however you want to make sure they cannot get into the water dish while unsupervised to ensure they do not drown. My best suggestion would be a small Tupperware dish with holes cut in the lid so that they can fit their heads in but if they jump on top of the lid they won't go into the water, plus it will cut down on some of the spilled water ruining their dry bedding. It will take a little while for their oil gland to start working properly and them to learn how to spread that oil on their feathers to waterproof themselves. Swims in the bathtub for small periods of time is fine as long as you're watching them. I always left the higher side of the tub without water so that way they had the ability to get out of the water if they wanted. Kind of like a beach for them without the sand LOL

Thanks for the advice! They are muscovys though, that's all my friend has at the moment.

 

[ProudRedneck]

Thanks for the advice! They are muscovys though, that's all my friend has at the moment.

Yep you're right, sorry that was my mistake, I didn't pay attention that the line across the eye didn't extend all the way to the bill. Anything specific that you have questions on? I don't know how new to ducks you are.

My female, Daffy, says to say hi to you and her relatives.

 

[Silkiesaz]

Yep you're right, sorry that was my mistake, I didn't pay attention that the line across the eye didn't extend all the way to the bill. Anything specific that you have questions on? I don't know how new to ducks you are.

My female, Daffy, says to say hi to you and her relatives.
View attachment 3214669

Right now I have them in a brooder with a heat lamp, in their towel cave is that okay or to hot? Your Daffy is adorable!

 

[ProudRedneck]

Right now I have them in a brooder with a heat lamp, in their towel cave is that okay or to hot? Your Daffy is adorable!

Get a small thermometer to sit in the brooder with them. How old are they?

Temperature should be 90-95 degrees for the first week, then decrease your temperature by 5 degrees each week for the first few weeks. Afterwards, they will not need supplemental heat, as long as your temps remain above are 70° day/night.

Thank you, she's nosey and thinks she's queen bee around here LOL

 

[Silkiesaz]

Get a small thermometer to sit in the brooder with them. How old are they?

Temperature should be 90-95 degrees for the first week, then decrease your temperature by 5 degrees each week for the first few weeks. Afterwards, they will not need supplemental heat, as long as your temps remain above are 70° day/night.

Thank you, she's nosey and thinks she's queen bee around here LOL

Okay, Precious hatched this morning and Cracker is 4 days old. Precious thinks Cracker is her mama and Cracker has decided she is Precious mother! They run to each other and preen each other.

 

[Quatie]

Your new ducklings are adorable! It looks like you have one chocolate and one black Muscovy. I haven't raised them from ducklings yet, but I know a lot of people talk about them being able jumping out of brooders.

 

[Silkiesaz]

Your new ducklings are adorable! It looks like you have one chocolate and one black Muscovy. I haven't raised them from ducklings yet, but I know a lot of people talk about them being able jumping out of brooders.

Thank you! Chocolate and black was what I was hoping! I have them brooding in a tub with sides a foot-foot and a half tall. Will they be able to jump out of that?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Eventually. And they climb real good too. lol