new to having a duck

[luvmyduck]

Hello, I'm a new member and I posted my duck questions on the new member intrduction part. Has anyone seen them?

 

[willowbirdks]

Welcome! I am new here myself, but I have found tons of helpful information on this forum... Both before and after getting ducklings.

Have you checked out the sticky threads for good basic information? I find a starting place for many of my questions there. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/256233/ducks-sticky-topics-index

 

[jdduck]

i just looked at your first post and yes, ducks do pant if they are hot, try to search for some of your questions there is lots of info on this site. has helped me lots with my ducks.

 

[Carcajou]

Hello, I'm a new member and I posted my duck questions on the new member intrduction part. Has anyone seen them?

Here is another good link: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/750869/raising-and-caring-for-ducklings

And

 

[jenniemig]

Willow posted a great link, I refer back to it often. There are tons of experienced duck parents on this site so don't hesitate to post a question.

Is the duckling doing ok alone? Is she peeping or pacing a lot? I know she has you there to take care of her, but sometimes they do better with at least one other brooder mate. I had 4, lost 3 due to being lost during shipping. My lone duckling was distressed being alone so I found someone local and bought 2 other ducklings about the same age to keep her company.

As far as the coughing it is probably because she tried to eat the shoestring. I would give it a few days and it should get better.

What are you feeding her? Duckling are susceptible to vitamin deficiencies so if you're feeding chick starter I would suggest adding poultry cell or poultry nutri drench to her water. You can also use 100mg niacin tablets dissolved in 1 gallon of water, or by sprinkling brewers yeast on the food. If you get the niacin tablets be sure they're not flush free or time released.

You should post a picture of your duckling

 

[luvmyduck]

Thanks for replying! She don't seem to be lonely. I have read on here that they like to have a companion and if they dont to try an ubreakable mirror. I'm with her pretty much all the time. She does quack some, when she does I talk to her and we seem to have a pretty good conversation, lol. I worry mainly when I have to run out. When we come back she quacks as a greeting and I her out and love her. Her name is Crackers. Should have put that in the beginning. Her coughing seems better.
Where would I find niacin and brewers yeast? As soon as I figure out how to I will post pics of my beautiful baby.
Thanks
I love this site!

 

[willowbirdks]

I was able to find niacin at my local Rite Aid. We crush the tablets in a garlic press and dissolve them in the drinking water. As Jennie said, you just have to make sure it's not the flush free kind, but that will be clearly labeled.

You don't need both brewers yeast and niacin, at least to my understanding. So it's probably fine to just get what's easiest to find in your location. I couldn't easily get brewers yeast in my town, but I understand it's often available at health type stores.

 

[jenniemig]

I had a hard time finding 100mg niacin that wasn't time released or flush free. Eventually I found it, and brewers yeast, at Whole Foods which is a large natural and organic grocery store. I love the name Crackers! If you do get him/her a buddy you could name them Cheese;-)