New to duck raising

[seashoreduck]

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

Right now they are in the basment, with a lamp...75ish. They are partly fethered. They are domesticated.

I have multi feed, non antibotic or something. Blue Seal http://blueseal.com/product/?id=133

I live on a river with many "duck nests"

I won't bring them outside yet. Webby is insane anyway....cleaning the cage she escaped....and ran around the basment...again.

My dog has been pretty good with them, she's actually more nervous. She's been bit by a wild blue herron, so she's pretty skittish about birds in general. She loves small dogs, and ends up attacked and battered by cats. She's 7 and part german shepard. She's glued to me, so I don't think she will be a problem. She does have some hearding instinct so I forsee that being handy.

 

[seashoreduck]

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.

They squeak like little pigs. Except Webby. She's quick to hiss. She (or he) is easily the biggest and the most angry at life.

I have a friend who can clip their wings...she worked with birdiers before. That can be done Friday.

 

[seashoreduck]

back of the ducks Webby is pretty close to fully feathered. However, Pea, hiding behind her, has lots of down.




Webby guarding the other 3. Pea (the least feathered) is on the bottom.

 

[Amiga]

Beautiful! It will take time and patience, and treats, but they should warm up to you. Also, many ducks go through a phase that begins at age three weeks, in which they are particularly terrified of anything larger than they are. Stick with it, mine certainly came back around.

And I like this for watering, hope it gives you some ideas.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/641902/created-a-water-saver-for-my-duck-brooder

 

[seashoreduck]

Beautiful! It will take time and patience, and treats, but they should warm up to you. Also, many ducks go through a phase that begins at age three weeks, in which they are particularly terrified of anything larger than they are. Stick with it, mine certainly came back around.

And I like this for watering, hope it gives you some ideas.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/641902/created-a-water-saver-for-my-duck-brooder

great ideas...I'm going to make a container for them tonight.

As far as swimming....Webby (which I now think may be male) has already found the one spot of water in my basment...a bowl that the hot water drips into. How do I give her/him more water to play with. Webby's the most far out, one and dosn't seem to take no for an answer. Any tips for drying the little monster?

Would separating them help with the taming?

 

[Miss Lydia]

back of the ducks Webby is pretty close to fully feathered. However, Pea, hiding behind her, has lots of down.




Webby guarding the other 3. Pea (the least feathered) is on the bottom.

Hold off on the wing clipping still not fully out yet or maybe i'm not seeing it. but they still look pretty short.

 

[Miss Lydia]

great ideas...I'm going to make a container for them tonight.

As far as swimming....Webby (which I now think may be male) has already found the one spot of water in my basment...a bowl that the hot water drips into. How do I give her/him more water to play with. Webby's the most far out, one and dosn't seem to take no for an answer. Any tips for drying the little monster?

Would separating them help with the taming?

If you separate them it will only make for chaos and you'll get nothing accomplished. do you have a plastic dish pan or bath tub? as long as they have luck warm water they will love a bath, then once you move them outside get one of those plastic kids pools. after bath us a towel and lightly pat dry and put them in a warm place to finish drying. If you take it slow they will warm up to you.

 

[seashoreduck]

So here is their fist trip outside. Using the dog's water feeder so far. Don't have a kiddie pool but may get one.

They had a great time with this little water feeder. Went through the entire 2 gallons.

I had some mixed veggies. Lima beans were ok, they didn't seem to go for peas too much, but loved green beans. Everyone except for Webby lets me pick them up to move them with minimal resistance. Webby is very resistant, kicking squaking and in general being a pest. She/he is easily the fastest runner and very quick.

Moved them into the barn for today while I'm at work.

 

[Miss Lydia]

So here is their fist trip outside. Using the dog's water feeder so far. Don't have a kiddie pool but may get one.

They had a great time with this little water feeder. Went through the entire 2 gallons.

I had some mixed veggies. Lima beans were ok, they didn't seem to go for peas too much, but loved green beans. Everyone except for Webby lets me pick them up to move them with minimal resistance. Webby is very resistant, kicking squaking and in general being a pest. She/he is easily the fastest runner and very quick.

Moved them into the barn for today while I'm at work.

They are very pretty and sounds like they are slowly coming around, fresh air and sunshine does a body good.