New to Ducks.....

[Tacswa3]

Hello all, I just bought 6 straight run ducklings from Tractor Supply. They are apparently just a week or so old. I have chickens and I have experience raising chickens from pullets, not baby chicks.

The ducklings are in a "brooder" w/ a heat lamp. Can anyone offer advice/tips on raising these ducklings? For example , when should I switch them to a medicated feed so they are ready for the outdoors?

What treats can they have as ducklings? Supplements?

I appreciate it!

 

[llombardo]

No medicated feed for them. They need water to dunk their heads in. People use milk gallons with cut outs and move to bigger things as they get bigger. Ducks are messy and love water. They can have supervised short swims getting linger as they get older, dry them off and put under heat lamp after swim.

 

[Dandy's mom]

Hello all, I just bought 6 straight run ducklings from Tractor Supply. They are apparently just a week or so old. I have chickens and I have experience raising chickens from pullets, not baby chicks.

The ducklings are in a "brooder" w/ a heat lamp. Can anyone offer advice/tips on raising these ducklings? For example , when should I switch them to a medicated feed so they are ready for the outdoors?

What treats can they have as ducklings? Supplements?

I appreciate it!

The sticky feed is a great place to start. It has a ton of linkage for noob duck parents. (Including food list)

 

[Dandy's mom]

The sticky feed is a great place to start. It has a ton of linkage for noob duck parents. (Including food list)

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=242460

I'm not sure how they share threads with folks here, but here's the one about food and treats. I hope it works.

 

[Tacswa3]

Thanks!!

 

[Dandy's mom]

Hello all, I just bought 6 straight run ducklings from Tractor Supply. They are apparently just a week or so old. I have chickens and I have experience raising chickens from pullets, not baby chicks.

The ducklings are in a "brooder" w/ a heat lamp. Can anyone offer advice/tips on raising these ducklings? For example , when should I switch them to a medicated feed so they are ready for the outdoors?

What treats can they have as ducklings? Supplements?

I appreciate it!

BTW, Congrats on your new babies! Baby ducks are just the CUTEST things EVER!

 

[Tacswa3]

BTW, Congrats on your new babies! Baby ducks are just the CUTEST things EVER!

Thank you. And Yes they are. I gotta start on their house and run now. I'm looking forward to raising them. I just have no idea what breeds I'll end up with. 4 are yellow, 1 is yellow w/ a little brown and 1 is black

 

[Dandy's mom]

Thank you. And Yes they are. I gotta start on their house and run now. I'm looking forward to raising them. I just have no idea what breeds I'll end up with. 4 are yellow, 1 is yellow w/ a little brown and 1 is black

have you posted any pics in the gallery yet?

 

[Timothy Menezes]

Make sure their feed has enough niacin for them or supplement it. I like the Vitamin pack from Metzers for that, but you can buy niacin in liquid or pill form as well. Brewers yeast is also a popular way to supplement it too.

 

[chickens really]

If you buy an all flock feed they won't require added Niacin.
I raise mine on Chick starter till 3 weeks then a All flock Grower/finisher for the rest of their lives. At Around 6 to 8 weeks I start mixing in Scratch grains, cracked wheat, oat & barley crumble ..I also let mine out to forage and feed fresh veggies and fruit starting at around a week old.
They need water to dunk heads and clean nares and eyes.
I start allowing mine a shallow pan of water to swim and play in at 2 or 3 days old.
Enjoy the Ducklings..