New Ducks

[Miss Lydia]

Are they preening once they finish bathing? Any ideas what they were fed before you got them? If they are younger than 4 months I’d keep them from the drake for at least 4 weeks so he doesn’t mate with them when they are too young. Might want to add some extra protein to their diet it’s good for feather condition.

 

[Quack head]

When I picked them up they were in a small cage 3 x 3 x 3 foot. I would say and it was not the best of conditions. They were only given water to drink and not to bathe. I am feeding them 19% protein mix and quite a few meal worms. I also have a large water dish where all three can fit and bathe. They are eating quite well and the feather are coming in.

Since they are in the same house as the adult pair, when the drake comes in they seem to peck at each other thru the 1" chicken wire divider, quite funny watching. I hope when I take down the divider they will get along without too much trouble.

My question is still how old can one estimate these are. One still have a few down feathers on its head and they had a few "adult" feathers all over their body. One has the "blue" marking feathers on the tips of its wings. Any estimates?

 

[Miss Lydia]

6-8 weeks possibly not 4 months by your description.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Yep just babes. And so pretty. I bet they are thriving now. We need some updated pics.

Love your avatar by the way!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Which one was taken? and very sorry for your loss. If you let them all meet through fencing for a while they should become fast friends. This is a pretty good time to introduce with it being winter the hormones aren't quite as high.

 

[CaliFarmsAR]

Update report on the new ducks, since we figured out they are about three months old. Was wondering when I should put them in the the mature pair? Also they have been in the Quack House (QH) for almost two weeks. I want to make sure I can round them up at night so when should I let them outside to free range. I was thinking about a month? My thinking is they will be more feathered out and should get along with the adults. It is amusing, when I go in the QH to feed and change water of the new ducks the old ducks comes out of the water and hang around outside the QH and sometimes comes in to see what is going on.

Current pic of the new ducks
View attachment 1979729

Beautiful ducks !!!!!