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!!)

 

[KathiQuacks]

Some wateriness in poop is normal, but too watery, and paired with heavy breathing, I’d think they’re drinking too much from overheating.
At this age, room temp may be enough to keep them warm without the lamp or brooding plate.

I’m leaning towards what Cheez suggests for the outside. Have them out during the day with the brooding plate, and bring them inside to sleep overnight. The heat lamps can certainly be dangerous. I personally had 1 that sparked & caught fire. I’d be nervous using it overnight unattended.

Once fully feathered, provided they have dry, bedded shelter with no drafts, they won’t need any additional heating.

 

[Yardmom]

I have raised many Ducklings both in brooders and with their duck mothers. Ducklings drink a lot and is normal to have liquid poo.
Ducklings are ready to be off heat before their feathers come in. They feather much slower than chickens, but can regulate their own body temperature much sooner.
I had a situation where I needed to get a four week old duckling out of the house around Christmas. It was fine outside in winter with the only heat source its chick(en) friends. (I don't recommend brooding together, but it would have been alone otherwise)
Young birds like chickens and ducks of any age can be in a dry, wind blocked area outside if they have a heat source. These ducklings would would be fine in your shed.