New Duck Owner needs help!!

[kyliesmommax5]

Ok I just got my very first ducks! I know I have 2 pekins 1 mallard and on that looks like the ugly duckling lol! Any ways I was just curious at what age is it safe to start feeding them veggies as treats? And when are they old enough to go outside?
Thanks for your help!

 

[chickboss]

Hobby Farms book on Ducks by Cherie Langlois says that by the time they are 1 month old they "will have grown in enough feathers to keep them warm outside in all but the most inclement weather." You can always watch them when you think they are ready, they will huddle when cold. We have been letting ours out during good weather, surpervised since they were two weeks old. We are very new to ducks as well. Ours are 3 weeks old. I think we slipped a few treats to ours after a week or so. Not sure about the rule on that.

How exciting for you! They grow sooooo fast, you will be amazed! Ours are like a little less than half the size of a grown duck already. We have four Kahki Campbells. So cute!

 

[smithzoo100]

Aaawwww...congratulations!! Chickens are fun, but ducks are the ABSOLUTE best

I usually will take our babies out for short amounts of time when they are little if the weather is nice and under strict supervision. They love to forage and play in the grass and dirt as well as a puddle if it's warm enough to make them one. Sometimes they just take off running in circles flapping their absurdly tiny little wings in pure joy!! By the time they have all their belly feathers, they are usually big enough to be outside as long as they have a place that they are protected from the elements. It all depends on your set up outside as to how early you can do this safely. Four at least is a good number to snuggle up if they do get chilly!!

You could probably try giving them bits of leafy greens, and offer grated carrots, yellow squash, assorted colorful veggies and fruits like strawberries

LOL!! Now that I am thinking about that, I think I will add strawberries to my list of plants to add to the garden next!! Try sprinkling tiny bits of greens into their water, just be prepared for quite a bit of clean up. Their joy tends to make the extra work well worth it. Enjoy your babies!!!

 

[duckyfromoz]

I usually offer some small pieces of fruit and some greens after about ten days, And allow them outside for a few hours in the afternoon from about 3 weeks old.
I love spending time with them out in the front garden with a container of water for them to swim in- watching them chase bugs and flies around the garden is so cute. They always seem to grow up way too fast.

 

[Amiga]

I noticed no one mentioned outdoor temperatures. When my ducklings were two weeks old, it was 38 degrees F outside. They stayed indoors, as the recommendations from Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks are to keep them around 85 degrees their second week, dropping to about 80 their third week.

Last weekend, we had unseasonably warm (near 70 and sunny) weather and then I had them out for a few hours in the afternoon (now about four weeks old). They won't have enough feathers to keep them warm at night (night before last it was 25) for a while yet. They also still need to put on a little more flesh, so their surface to volume ratio will help prevent hypothermia.

For treats, there is a stickie on the duck forum here from Nettie, who has compiled recommendations for treats. Some things need to wait, some things are safe for younger ducklings.

I give mine finely shredded salad (lettuce, cress, mache, dandelion, chard) almost daily (2 or 3 cups for 11 ducklings) and thawed frozen petit peas (about 3/4 cup for 11 ducklings) every couple of days.

 

[chickboss]

LOL, yeah putting them out in near freezing weather because a book said they could do some adventuring at a couple of weeks old is probably not too great. Common sense is good! LOL. Unless duckiecicles are the goal. Thanks Amiga!