New duck mom a few questions

[Newchickenlady1045]

Okay for one. I've had my ducklings for about three weeks give or take, one of my ducklings has watery poop, you can hear it come out as if it's a fart almost but it's wet.. This same duck is breathing harder and faster then the others buys is acting fine, eating and driving normal.

Second question... Can those same ducklings go outside in our shed with their brooder plate and possibly a heat lamp if needed. The shed is secure and the ducks will have their own box that locks and closes. We live in Michigan so the weather is up and down right now but they would stay in there. They are out growing their brooder rapidly.

 

[cheezenkwackers]

Ducks drink a lot of water so watery stools isn’t usually an issue unless there are other issues. If he is eating or drinking I wouldn’t worry.
As for the shed, ducks grow fast but yours are not feathered out yet. Could they maybe go out there during the day and come in at night? They seem too big to all fit under the brooder plate and heat lamps are fire hazards. Just a thought?!

 

[Papaye]

Hi.


• What do you feed your ducklings, exactly?
And do they have an unlimited access to their food - including at night?

► AT LEAST until they are big enough (meaning : 2,5-months-old at the MINIMUM) : your ducklings need to have an unlimited access to their food day AND night, so to allow an optimal growth - since ducklings, contrary to chicks, do eat at night too.


• Is your ducklings' waterer deep enough for them to submerge their entire head in water...?
And do they have an unlimited access to their water - including at night?

► Never let your ducklings/ducks have access to their feed IF they don't have access to their waterer (and are able to plung their whole head in its water so to clean their nares), or they could end up choking...!

This same duck is breathing harder and faster then the others buys is acting fine, eating and driving normal.

...Sounds like your duckling could be overheating?

How big is your ducklings' brooder?
(Would you mind posting a picture...?)

Can those same ducklings go outside in our shed with their brooder plate and possibly a heat lamp if needed. The shed is secure and the ducks will have their own box that locks and closes. We live in Michigan so the weather is up and down right now but they would stay in there. They are out growing their brooder rapidly.

I don't know much about Michigan, or - honestly - about raising ducklings in brooders...
...BUT : eating grass (is what) would really benefit them during their growth period!

At 3-weeks-old, they should be able to go outside during the days, even without a mom to keep them warm, IF :
• temperatures are warm enough;
• there is no strong wind;
• you put your ducklings out in the sun (AND with an access to shades, preferably);
• you supervise them carefully.


(Good luck!!)