New here, loads of questions

[gaerwen]

Hello! Im new here, new to keeping birds too! We bought some miscellaneous chicks and ducklings this spring, and one duckling was walking on his tops of his feet. He is 6 weeks old and they have just turned and he is trying to walk normally. He is very shaky but determined. Has anyone had luck with a duck like this doing well? would swimming help build up the muscle?
Also, how deep does the pond need to be?
I have NO idea what kind of ducks they are at all. Hes brown and yellow and the others are grey, and solid black. We also have 11 various chickens, and wondered if I can continue to house them together? (so far so good)
Husband is expanding the coop this week and installing some kind of pool/pond.

Thanks!!

 

[DUCKOBSESSED]

I use kid sandboxes for my ducks. I have had my Roo kill a duck before so they are housed apart. As for the legs I think it in a Niacin deficiency. I supplement Brewers yeast over their feed. Just sprinkle it over the top. A little everyday until he gets better. It wont hurt the others. Yes swimming would help aswell.

 

[Amiga]

At six weeks I would have supervised swimming only - till they are fully feathered. And be extra careful about giving them a way to easily and safely get both in and out of the swimming area.

Ducklings, even older ducklings, and even adult ducks, can become exhausted and drown if there are access problems.

I agree that B vitamins including niacin would be a great idea. A tablespoon of brewer's yeast per day per three ducklings is what I would do, based on some assumptions and calculations I made a while back.

 

[gaerwen]

Thanks! Ive started them on the brewers yeast and have a kid pool Ill use for swimming.

 

[littlefrog]

I second the supervised swimming. Lost two ducks in the pond on the first day they were swimming (at about 8 weeks). I think they drowned. Not sure I would have been able to save them if I had been watching, but at least I'd know for sure.