New ducklings tomorrow!

[fowlfriends]

I can hardly contain myself!

I get to go tomorrow to pick up my new Saxony ducklings from Holderreads! Just 4 babies, since I really do not need any more. These are my first, and likely only baby birds of the year.

Off to get things ready for them! Yay!

 

[chicken_boy_Kurt]

Cool. Are these your first ducks? If they are good luck and a word of warning: Like chickens they are addicting. If you already have some then you already know that.

 

[fowlfriends]

Yes, I am already an addict.

These kids will be added to a mixed flock, and a lone muscovy hen (to be remedied soon, I hope!).


Pictures to come as soon as I get home tomorrow!

 

[fowlfriends]

Well we all got home in one piece! 4 Saxony ducklings, just like I ordered - I ordered late, so am just thrilled to be able to get them! I had a credit left from last year, and asked they throw in one duckling of their choice to make up for the credit. I simply could not believe it when Dave's niece opened the box to show me the babies. Two extras, rather than one. A pair of Miniature Australian Spotteds!!!

So here they are, approx 2-3 days old now, and just too cute already. I had to temporarily pull them from the heat lamp for pictures, as the red light made them look just a bit odd.

The two Australian Spotteds are in the middle in this pic

 

[SamG347]

Cute Ducklings! But remove that newspaper NOW!!! Ducklings should never be brooded on a slippery surface. Either pine shavings or wire.
Good Luck!

 

[ticks]

congrats. I would personaly put them on shavings (not cedar) so they can have some footing. they can't walk well on newspaper!!

 

[fowlfriends]

Thanks for the gentle reminder SamG347 - a wire floor is what they belong on - I certainly dont want the little guys to have spraddled legs. I have them on the newspaper only until I get them eating. I guess it was wrong of me, but I just wanted them to find where the food is before putting in the pine shavings - these pictures are only about half an hour after getting them home.

I have a wire bottomed pen, but am not so sure its large enough for these guys to roam around.

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

precious, I love waterfowl

 

[Toast n Jelly]

You could also use old towels for awhile then maybe sand if the wire cage is too small.

 

[SamG347]

A good idea is to put paper towels on top of shavings in the brooder. They are awfuly cute little guys be sure to post lots of pics as they grow.