My new muscovy ducklings!

[Miss Lydia]

I use moistened feed actually FF but I know a lot of folks don't think FF is good for our birds but main reason for saying is I think it's good your moistening their feed My babies always love their feed better moistened. Look forward to seeing them. Great to hear they are eating sigh of relief. !! They sure look like healthy lil ones.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

You should definitely mix some up. I always did 1/2 teaspoon of both powders per 1 quart.
Your going to love it when you let them go swimming! It's adorable!

Thanks, I will do that.
When I looked back at the pics you sent, there were a few already swimming. When should I let them do that?

 

[Nyla]

You can let them swim when ever you want. I like to use my Kitchen sink or bath tub with about 1-2 " of water.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Well, got my first initiation by one of the little poopers.
I think she was using it as a defense mechanism. Well, it worked.
Just got done sitting there for about 30 min or longer. Forgot my phone to take pics. They kept getting closer to me, so I call that a win!
It looks like one of the chocolate ones is the leader. She would move and the rest followed.

 

[Julie Birb]

Well, got my first initiation by one of the little poopers.
I think she was using it as a defense mechanism. Well, it worked.
Just got done sitting there for about 30 min or longer. Forgot my phone to take pics. They kept getting closer to me, so I call that a win!
It looks like one of the chocolate ones is the leader. She would move and the rest followed.

That is both funny and cute about what she did.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Aren't they precious

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

They are all doing well I snapped some pics, but will have to post later. I go out to check, they run to the corner. Once I am done I turn off the overhead light, they all come back over to the food and water area. They haven't figured out that I am still in there.
"Whew, coast is clear!"

@Miss Lydia I have read some other threads where you feed flock raiser. That is what I am feeding. Is it ok as a life stage food or do I need to switch at a certain point?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Great food all the way through.
But I highly rec FR crumbles. Are you also supplementing with Brewers yeast or Nutritional yeast?

Sounds like they are settling in just fine. Maybe instead of turning on an over head light that startles them you could use a smaller watt bulb so they don't scare as easy. Do you also talk to them before you turn on the light let them know your coming?

Look forward to pics.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Great food all the way through.
But I highly rec FR crumbles. Are you also supplementing with Brewers yeast or Nutritional yeast?

Sounds like they are settling in just fine. Maybe instead of turning on an over head light that startles them you could use a smaller watt bulb so they don't scare as easy. Do you also talk to them before you turn on the light let them know your coming?

Look forward to pics.

I had read it doesn't need the extra niacin as per purina, but do you think I should add it? It is the crumble version.

As far as startling, there is almost no way to avoid. They are in a heated building. The door seal is so good, it makes a sound when I open the door. I say hello as soon as I can.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Well to be safe I would use some of either the Brewers yeast or Nutritional yeast, saying that way you can avoid any problems if they should arise I haven't ever had any Muscovy duckling with leg issues but mine are on the ground as soon as mama brings them out a big difference than brooder raised. And both NY and BY are so natural it isn't going to hurt them. I use NY because it has more niacin and I use it for myself too. Your lil drake will really take off growing and I have seen a period where mine sit down more when they are having the growth spurt so I think the yeast will help with that. I know PFR is formulated for all poultry but it seems we still see leg issues a lot even when using it mainly with Pekins but Muscovy's grow fast too. Still it's always up to you if you want to use any supplemental nutrients.

Even with mine who are raised by mamas they all get NY in their feed 3X a week to start then I taper off now it's 1X a week on my adults.