New Duckies TSC

[nick97]

Hey guys, went to Tractor supply today and saw baby ducklings so I bought a pair. I love em but am pretty new to ducklings. Any advice? I assume their white Peking ducks. Correct me if wrong though.

 

[Amiga]

Okay, time to tap into your inner nurturer!

Please read at least the first post here, and get back to us with questions. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/750869/raising-and-caring-for-ducklings#post_10611711

They need food 24/7 for at least the first 6 weeks - we can talk more about that then. They need to be 90˚F their first week of life, dropping 5 degrees a week till the brooder and the rest of their world are the same temperature.

They need to be kept safe - from falls, dogs, cats, feet, little tidbits they might swallow, drowning, chills . . . . .

Congratulations, please keep us posted.

What kind of shelter are they in? Bedding? Do you have a way to measure temperature? Have they stolen your heart yet?

Water management is a big issue. It is not that hard, but it is really important.

Take a look at post 39 here
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/848637/wow-the-mess-newbie-shocked/30#post_12994017

I need to turn in, plan to check back tomorrow.

 

[nick97]

Have followed all advice and ducklings look healthy. Also should I feed them medicated feed?

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk

 

[Amiga]

Bravo!

There are different feelings and experiences with medicated. I would not. I recently learned that the medication - amprolium - works by blocking thiamine uptake. Thiamine is a B vitamin and somewhere along the line I have read that it can affect leg health. Aside from that, ducklings just need really good nutrition to build healthy little bodies and reduce risk of illness short and longer term.

 

[Speceider]

There's not much to worry about with amprolium. A duck'a daily requirement is 1 mg per day (niacin is 70 mg per day). All commercial feeds contain enough thiamine, even with amprolium.

Clint

 

[Kelsykin]

Medicated feeds are not recommended for ducks due to the amount they eat versus chickens. Ducks can overdose on the medicated feed.

 

[Speceider]

Medicated feeds are not recommended for ducks due to the amount they eat versus chickens. Ducks can overdose on the medicated feed. 

Ducklings do not eat more for their body mass. They grow body mass faster and waste more. They will not od. The recommendation comes from the old medicines bring arsenic-based and ducks have a much lower tolerance for arsenic than chickens.

Clint

 

[Kelsykin]

Yes and the ducks eat more of the feed to grow bigger, but most of the medicated feed state on the bag that the feed is not recommended for ducks or geese. I was told by a vet that they can O.D. due to how the medication mix is done.

 

[Speceider]

What medication are you talking about? Amprolium is not a medication mix. Obviously, if the bag says not for ducks you shouldn't feed it, buy numerous studies show no danger from amprolium.

Clint

 

[Kelsykin]

What medication are you talking about? Amprolium is not a medication mix. Obviously, if the bag says not for ducks you shouldn't feed it, buy numerous studies show no danger from amprolium.

Clint

The medicated feeds. I have not found one that does not say on the bag in small print not to feed to ducks and geese. When I asked a vet a few years ago she said it has something to do with how ducks versus chickens break down things. Sorry if I was not clear. I am dealing with a torn muscle in my leg and it is making me a bit scattered brained.