Need basic duckling advice, and putting a 11-day old duck with two 3-day old ducks

[humblehillsfarm]

Okay duck people, help me out.

I recently posted that a friend got ducklings, and all but one passed rather mysteriously. She didn't want to deal with any more, and the feed stores have been out. So I offered to take the duck because at the very least, I do have chickens and I've been planning for ducks, but just wasn't expecting them so soon! I have posted on every livestock forum I could find, and tracked down a woman an hour from me that has two ducklings that are three days old, a Pekin and a mutt, or at least she didn't' know the breed of the parents. It doesn't really matter to me, I just didn't prefer to have a poor single duckling.

Advise on putting the ducklings together? Currently I have all the brooding supplies necessary for chicks, but I want to make sure what I have will work for ducklings. My primary concern is the water. This is what I have (for babies, anyways)

Will this suffice? Do they need something deeper?

Do they need heat all the time? If so, at what temp? The weather outside is to be partly cloudy and sunny in the high 70s and low 80s for the next week or two if I could put them outside during the day, that would be super.

I will need a new watering system entirely for the ducks, as they will be kept separate from the chickens for the foreseeable future. Housing is not an issue as we have two additional coops, but I do intent do build a ground level secure shelter for the ducks, as I image that will be easier for me and then. Should be able to whip up something in two days or less. I already use a flock raiser for my hens, so I'll use the same feed for the ducks, but I already have organic duck starter/grower.

Any other advise?

 

[SolarDuck]

Provide a water dish they can dip their head and bill in, but they can't jump in and play. Many people use plastic Tupperware and cut holes in the lid.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

Provide a water dish they can dip their head and bill in, but they can't jump in and play. Many people use plastic Tupperware and cut holes in the lid.

Excellent idea. I've been wracking my brain on how to control the mess! What about when they are much older and larger and can knock over the tupperware?

 

[KaleIAm]

Provide a water dish they can dip their head and bill in, but they can't jump in and play. Many people use plastic Tupperware and cut holes in the lid.

x2 that is what I did and it worked very well. That way the ducklings can't get wet and chilled.

 

[KaleIAm]

Excellent idea. I've been wracking my brain on how to control the mess! What about when they are much older and larger and can knock over the tupperware?

At that point I moved up to a gallon juice jug, but cut holes in the side for them big enough for heads to poke in only. I've also heard of people using larger tuberware and putting rocks in it.

You have to be creative with these little water monsters!

 

[humblehillsfarm]

At that point I moved up to a gallon juice jug, but cut holes in the side for them big enough for heads to poke in only. I've also heard of people using larger tuberware and putting rocks in it.

You have to be creative with these little water monsters!

Haha I had ducks as a kid but we had a huge stream for them to play in, so we never provided water. Actually we didn't even feed them. They were totally self sufficient. Unfortunately I do not have that resources lol, but you have to work with what you've got.

What about heat needs for the young ducklings?

 

[KaleIAm]

Haha I had ducks as a kid but we had a huge stream for them to play in, so we never provided water. Actually we didn't even feed them. They were totally self sufficient. Unfortunately I do not have that resources lol, but you have to work with what you've got.

What about heat needs for the young ducklings?

I followed the 90 degree under the heat lamp for the first week, and decrease by 5 degrees each week rule for my ducklings. I also had a cooler spot for them so they could decide where they were most comfortable. I spent a lot of time with my ducklings and never found them huddled under the heat lamp or exclusively away from it panting, so I feel like that system worked well.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

I followed the 90 degree under the heat lamp for the first week, and decrease by 5 degrees each week rule for my ducklings. I also had a cooler spot for them so they could decide where they were most comfortable. I spent a lot of time with my ducklings and never found them huddled under the heat lamp or exclusively away from it panting, so I feel like that system worked well.

Alright. I have an enormous run, do you think during the day with daytime temps they'd be alright with supervision outside? or maybe close off part of the run and leave a heat lamp out? I'm sure I'll pick up on their cues, but any info to plan ahead is always appreciated.

 

[KaleIAm]

Alright. I have an enormous run, do you think during the day with daytime temps they'd be alright with supervision outside? or maybe close off part of the run and leave a heat lamp out? I'm sure I'll pick up on their cues, but any info to plan ahead is always appreciated.

I don't think I took my ducklings on feild trips outside until they were about 2 weeks old, and I only did it for about an hour on really warm sunny days. That doesn't mean it can't/shouldn't be done. I just don't have experience with it. I'm also very careful with my ducks.

Though... I think I kicked them out of the house for good at about 4 weeks old. The mess was too intense.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

I don't think I took my ducklings on feild trips outside until they were about 2 weeks old, and I only did it for about an hour on really warm sunny days. That doesn't mean it can't/shouldn't be done. I just don't have experience with it. I'm also very careful with my ducks.

Though... I think I kicked them out of the house for good at about 4 weeks old. The mess was too intense.

Yes I’m worried about that sweet sweet smell of duck