Need Tips for New Duckling Owner!

[countyroad1330]

I have 3 duck eggs in my incubator due to hatch in a couple weeks. I had a rescue duckling one time, but it was in with my chicks, and I only had her a couple weeks. So I've got lots of questions!

I read about bedding ideas in another thread, but I will still take any suggestions! I've always used the wood shavings for my chicks, so I can't think outside the box.

What can I do to keep the duckling brooder dry? Should I leave water in at all times?

Is duckling feed medicated? Is there a brand anyone would recommend?

Should I put a towel or stuffed animal in the brooder box with them? Do they need a box or something to hide under?

What temperature should the brooder be? I will be using a heat lamp.

Thanks for all of the help! I'm so excited and can't wait, they will hatch around my birthday!

One more question! When do I introduce them to swimming water? How do I go about it? My rescue duckling hated water!

 

[Deedee]

Quote:
Hi!!!

I can't help with all your questions. I am new to this also. But I know my duckling feed is not medicated, I have mine on Mamma Pro bought from Atwoods.

I have right now newspaper laid out and a towel folded in quarter on the other and my sleep on the towel it also helps with their footing and traction.

For the other question i am not sure

But am intresting in what others have to say.

 

[Guitartists]

Quote:

 

[ChickenToes]

I use wood shavings to brood my ducklings. You just have to replace the wet shavings around their waterer with fresh shavings everyday.

Yup, leave water in the brooder at all times.

Feed only non-medicated. At about 4 weeks old I start adding oats to the feed to cut the protein level.

As long as you have more than one duckling, you don't need to add a stuffed animal.

As for the heat, it's the same as chicks, only 5 degrees lower.

 

[sandspoultry]

We found sand works really well in the brooder. for the brooder we use a "kiddie" swimming pool. about 3 to 4 inches of sand on the bottom and all the water they splash out will soak into the sand. Last year we used the smallest size pool and after a few weeks they were able to jump out- so I got the bright idea to use a strip of cardboard around the edge to keep them in. That worked good until the little beasts found out they could eat the cardboard.

There was a couple goslings in with the ducks and I think the goslings were the ring leaders. This year we will get a pool with taller sides.

Steve in NC

 

[kycklingmamma]

I have puppy pads under their eating and drinking area in the brooder, beacuse it gets very messy and wet. It seems to work very well, but can get pricey. I also have shavings in there, so it will smell nice and the girls seem to like to sleep on it. But be careful, if they are very young cover the shavings with an old towel or paper towels at first, they might think the shavings are food and try to eat it.

I have had my three runner girls on Mazuri waterfowl starter since they came to us, and yesterday I met one of Purina's reps at our feedstore in the area and she said we can easily move the girls onto purina flockraiser, it has high protein and added niacin. Purina also makes mazuri but it is very expensive, about $25.00/50 lbs bag for starter and then about $38.00/50 lbs bag for maintenance feed. The flockraiser was only $14.00 for a 50 lbs bag, and they can stay on it until they are about to lay eggs, then move them over to layer feed, like Layena or something similar.

You need to remember that ducks need water if food is available. Without water food might get stuck in their throat and they would choke. I am at the point of maybe taking the food out at night, they don't seem to be eating then anyway, but I will still leave the water in with them.


Kycklingmamma

 

[Wifezilla]

This worked rather well for the first 3 weeks...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=143262

 

[Guitartists]

I forgot to clarify that I was speaking of swimming water

whoops... yes, they need drinking water available at all times...especially if there is food. But swimming water I don't leave in because they make such a mess of it. I take them out once a day usually and let them swim in a big tub of water. If I were brooding just ducks I would have swimming water there 24/7 as they LOVE it!

Also... I've been wondering.... think a Shamwow would work good under the waterers? Man they just drip water everywhere

 

[countyroad1330]

I added another question to my original post! Thanks for all of the help everyone!

 

[Guitartists]

I bought mine from the feed store when they were a couple of days old.... they put theirs in the water AT the feed store. I started taking mine for swims a couple of days after they were acclimated.