New at this.....

[lem968]

Hi there!

I'm just starting out as a duck owner. As in - TODAY! I just picked up my new babies at the post office about an hour ago (2 Cayugas, a Buff Orpington, a blue runner, a chocolate runner, & a blue swedish - all female). I've been doing lots of research & have bought a few books to help out, but any advice would be greatly appreciated. I'll get some good pictures as the day goes by & post them later.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Quackers08]

How old are they?

 

[lem968]

They're 2 days old today. They're eating & drinking very well. They seem to be settling down in their brooder pen now. Nap time!

 

[Quackers08]

Aww thats so sweet Pics?

The only advice i can give (because im new to this as well) is just keep the heat right, if they look too hot let them cool down for a bit and if they look too cold then warm them by boosting the heat of the brooder. Make sure they are getting the nutrients that they need from their food so they grow up well and healthy.

I expect this is all in books and on the internet and that you've seen it but didnt want to read and run.

Goodluck

!!!!!!!!!

 

[Amiga]

Stay in touch, we love to watch the babies grow, and hear their stories.

Watch them as much as you can, you will learn what normal is and isn't.

Don't hesitate to raise concerns here.

Remember we are all, and will ever be, learning.

Safety, hygiene. Safety, hygiene. . . .

If I made changes in the brooder, I would watch for 20 minutes afterward to make sure it was not a mistake.

Enjoy them! They grow faster than you may believe. I mean, really fast!

Related to that, you will need to adjust things in the brooder as they grow.

Water management is key to reducing your frustration and workload.

 

[lem968]

Thank you!!! I had to make a few adjustments/rearrangements in their brooder pen throughout the day yesterday, so I didn't get a chance to post any pics. I'll work on that this evening & tomorrow for sure! They are an absolute delight & I can't wait to watch them grow.

Thanks again for the advice!

 

[Blondiega1]

Best piece of advice I ever got on here:

Relax and enjoy them. They are not nearly as fragile as you think and good common sense will take you a long way.
Remember, that for all the people on here you see with duck problems, there are thousands of others with no issues at all.

 

[Wynette]

I totally agree with member Amiga that water management is the key to end frustrations! They MUST have a waterer that they can put their entire bill under the water. I was just posting in another thread about this. I have done tons,tons, TONS of research, and in my personal opinion, that is the one thing that leads to the most issues.

WELCOME to BYC, by the way, and learn how the search function works here - you'll find SO much info. it's incredible! Enjoy your little ones - pick them up a lot (making sure to not take them from the heat "too long") and get them used to handling & you'll have ducklings that literally run to you when they hear your voice!

 

[Amiga]

Thank you!!!

I had to make a few adjustments/rearrangements in their brooder pen throughout the day yesterday, so I didn't get a chance to post any pics. I'll work on that this evening & tomorrow for sure! They are an absolute delight & I can't wait to watch them grow.
Thanks again for the advice!

 

[lem968]

My babies are 7 days old today & all is well!

I posted some pics of them on my profile if anyone is interested. I'm still trying to figure out how to post pics in a thread though...