New to duck raising

[seashoreduck]

Just picked up these sweeties.

The grain store said they needed a heatlamp for the next 2 weeks, but from what I'm reading that's not quite true

Are they all female? They look really brown

Is it too late for them to become truly dometicated? They're definatly very unhappy right now. The one in the front has the darkest beak and is very spunky.

They are for pest control.

 

[ducklover87]

It looks like you have mallards. From their feathering they look to be about 5 weeks give or take. Mallards can fly so if you don't have netting over the top of their pen id suggest to clip their wings to prevent them from flying away. For the light I would give them a place big enough where they can get away from it if they need to. If you find that they are always away from the light then you can takeit away. At this stage they should be ddeveloping there quack. If they quack its a female if they make more of a raspy sound its a male. Right now that's the only way to tell their sex. Its never too late, the easiest way is to feed them lots of treats. Or even their food that works fine to. The way to a ducks heart is through its stomach. Mine love dried mealworms. If you try feeding them with your hands that will help too. They may not take to it right off but they will pick up on it.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Just picked up these sweeties.

The grain store said they needed a heatlamp for the next 2 weeks, but from what I'm reading that's not quite true

Are they all female? They look really brown

Is it too late for them to become truly dometicated? They're definatly very unhappy right now. The one in the front has the darkest beak and is very spunky.

They are for pest control.

They look completely feathered in, I'd say no to heat. but keep them out of drafts. Lots of time with them sitting and just being there, not trying to hold them just being there, try treats, thawed peas are a big hit with ducks, meal worms live or dried, chopped Romaine lettuce. Just a few things ducks like, They may never want ot be in your lap but will probably enjoy being with you when your working outside especially if you happen to dig up a few earth worms for them. What I'm saying is the way to win over ducks is through their tummy's, But be sure to not over do on the treats they need a balanced diet. Did they say how old they are? And

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/242460/the-ultimate-list-of-duck-treats-and-supplements

 

[seashoreduck]

Yes, I was told they are mallards,

Right now I have them in an airport dog cage with a lightbulb.

Grain store said red lightbulb is better as they can sleep...true? Will get them out and about tomorrow AM but then back in the cage as it's going to storm Wed-Saturday. Will have to work on the light/dark part. May put them in the half barn to give them some time to roam around. The only thing about the barn is that racoons and mice are frequent guests. Would they leave the ducks alone?

The fiesty one, I'm calling webby, with the dark beak already ran around my basement, found the only water (a big bowl that is near the hot water tank for overflow) and took a swim. I put a heavy glass water dish in and it's already messed up, I have no idea HOW. It's an 8 oz big mouth ball jar...about 1 inch high and 3 inches wide.

They are very fast....I think I will need to make a chicken wire pen for trips outside. They've never been outside.

I will get mealworms tomorrow.

They are migratory...if I trim their flight feathers now will they be ok to fly for winter?

They don't seem very quacky...Webby hisses (my dog won't go anywhere near her) but they are still rather chirpy.

Can you list duck treats besides mealworms, will go shopping tomorrow.

 

[seashoreduck]

They look completely feathered in, I'd say no to heat. but keep them out of drafts. Lots of time with them sitting and just being there, not trying to hold them just being there, try treats, thawed peas are a big hit with ducks, meal worms live or dried, chopped Romaine lettuce. Just a few things ducks like, They may never want ot be in your lap but will probably enjoy being with you when your working outside especially if you happen to dig up a few earth worms for them. What I'm saying is the way to win over ducks is through their tummy's, But be sure to not over do on the treats they need a balanced diet. Did they say how old they are? And

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/242460/the-ultimate-list-of-duck-treats-and-supplements

Yes they seemed feathered in, it's about 60 in my basment, is that good? They are about 3ish weeks, they said heat to 5 weeks....from what I'm reading it seems like overkill. I need to give them dry paper though, they have made an incredible mess and gotten everything wet, especally Webby the wonderful

I have thawed peas, and that's what I'll probably do.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Yes, I was told they are mallards,

Right now I have them in an airport dog cage with a lightbulb.

Grain store said red lightbulb is better as they can sleep...true? Will get them out and about tomorrow AM but then back in the cage as it's going to storm Wed-Saturday. Will have to work on the light/dark part. May put them in the half barn to give them some time to roam around. The only thing about the barn is that racoons and mice are frequent guests. Would they leave the ducks alone?

The fiesty one, I'm calling webby, with the dark beak already ran around my basement, found the only water (a big bowl that is near the hot water tank for overflow) and took a swim. I put a heavy glass water dish in and it's already messed up, I have no idea HOW. It's an 8 oz big mouth ball jar...about 1 inch high and 3 inches wide.

They are very fast....I think I will need to make a chicken wire pen for trips outside. They've never been outside.

I will get mealworms tomorrow.

They are migratory...if I trim their flight feathers now will they be ok to fly for winter?

They don't seem very quacky...Webby hisses (my dog won't go anywhere near her) but they are still rather chirpy.

Can you list duck treats besides mealworms, will go shopping tomorrow.

No raccoons will kill your ducks along with many other predators. Yes red light is much better, but be very careful not to over heat them that is not good. What are your temps now? They look like they could already fly so don't let them out with out some way to keep them from flying, you'll need to clip one wing on each duck to keep them grounded at least till they are sure where home is. They are not wild Mallards, look at their webbing on their feet is their a hole punch or part of the webbing cut off? that's how you tell if they are domestic mallards or wild, but I think you have to have a permit to have the wild ones legally any way. They will not know how to migrate because they were not hatched and raised in the wild by wild parents, If you plan on having them live out side they are going to need a pen and house that is predator proof and they will need to be locked up at night or they won't last long. Another thing if your dog has never been around ducks I'd be very cautious dogs look at most water fowl as prey and it wouldn't take much for a dog to kill a duck. Did you buy duck feed or chicken feed? and they really need a heavy bowl small bucket to use for a waterer, ducks need to be able to wash their faces and they need water to eat too so food and water go together. and a kids plastic swimming pool will keep them happy and clean. I gave you a link to duck treats, lots of info there. Lots of good info here too. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/256233/ducks-sticky-topics-index

 

[ducklover87]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/242460/the-ultimate-list-of-duck-treats-and-supplements here's a great thread for duck treats. To get them to quack pick one up and hold it and see if it just peeps or starts to quack. 3ish weeks? Hmm seems mine didn't start feathering that well until about 5 weeksish. They will sleep no matter what. The mice no but raccoons definitely will try to get to them. I don't have a clue about clipping wings. I know that if you clipped them now they would probably get them back at around 9 weeks old as that's when they start to molt into their adult feathers. But again I know nothing about it so I could be wrong.

 

[ducklover87]

Oops guess miss Lydia already has it covered. (Psst she's very smart I'd take all the suggestions she gives to heart)

 

[Miss Lydia]

Oops guess miss Lydia already has it covered. (Psst she's very smart I'd take all the suggestions she gives to heart)

That's was so sweet dl87

I see you gave good info too.

 

[ducklover87]

Your welcome miss Lydia. I'm still new to this but I try to be as helpful as I can, so thank you For the compliment