- Mar 29, 2013
- 137
- 15
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Hello Everyone!
I have spent hours exploring the forums this week so I figured it would be a great time to join! I have had multiple breeds of chickens, duck, and turkeys in the past. Recently I decided I needed some waterfowl back in my life! Last Saturday I picked up some day old Cayuga ducks from the local feed store. I just wanted to run my situation by everyone to see if I need to improve on anything!
The cayugas are around a week old today. I bought three of them and they are doing well. I handle them very often, and give them lots of time to wander around the room. They are indoors until they feather out enough to be in the ever changing New England weather!
Their "Brooder" is a modified rabbit cage with a flat plastic bottom. I would say the brooder is 18in x 36in. Their lamp is on one side at 85-95 degrees in the hottest spot, with a large portion of the brooder being cooler. They are active and adjust themselves in and out of the hot spot as needed. The bedding in their brooder is CareFresh rather then shavings to avoid the dust. They seem to be doing fine on this but today I noticed one trying to eat some of the bedding. Any thoughts on using a towel as bedding instead?
They are currently on unmedicated chick starter, as that particular store didn't have waterfowl starter. Is it reccommended for me to find the waterfowl starter? I have read about different vitamins and supplements such as niacin that can be given as a precaution. They are very active and will run around for a few minutes, then lay down, and repeat when they are out and about. I have noticed them getting a bit tired towards the end and sitting down more often. They love to swim in my tupperwear containers and splash and dive already. Should I be concerned about them tiring and sitting, or is this normal? I have had plenty of adult ducks, and day old chicks, but never young ducklings! I am thinking I would like to add a supplement or vitamin to their diet, would anyone have some recommended products?
Thank you for reading! As a side note, getting them so young has been amazing. My past ducks have been extremely skittish becuase they came to me as adults. These guys are already approaching me, following me when I talk to them, and love to hang out with me on the couch (my boyfriend likes it less!) I had thought about hatching ducklings, but decided I would rather wait to take that on. I am very happy that they are interested in me, will each out of my hand, and seem comfortable around me. They are not dependant on me, which I would not want. I have read about having ducklings be imprinted on a person and being too dependant. I am happy that they enjoy my company, but that they are still ducks! Any advice would be appreciated!
I have spent hours exploring the forums this week so I figured it would be a great time to join! I have had multiple breeds of chickens, duck, and turkeys in the past. Recently I decided I needed some waterfowl back in my life! Last Saturday I picked up some day old Cayuga ducks from the local feed store. I just wanted to run my situation by everyone to see if I need to improve on anything!
The cayugas are around a week old today. I bought three of them and they are doing well. I handle them very often, and give them lots of time to wander around the room. They are indoors until they feather out enough to be in the ever changing New England weather!
Their "Brooder" is a modified rabbit cage with a flat plastic bottom. I would say the brooder is 18in x 36in. Their lamp is on one side at 85-95 degrees in the hottest spot, with a large portion of the brooder being cooler. They are active and adjust themselves in and out of the hot spot as needed. The bedding in their brooder is CareFresh rather then shavings to avoid the dust. They seem to be doing fine on this but today I noticed one trying to eat some of the bedding. Any thoughts on using a towel as bedding instead?
They are currently on unmedicated chick starter, as that particular store didn't have waterfowl starter. Is it reccommended for me to find the waterfowl starter? I have read about different vitamins and supplements such as niacin that can be given as a precaution. They are very active and will run around for a few minutes, then lay down, and repeat when they are out and about. I have noticed them getting a bit tired towards the end and sitting down more often. They love to swim in my tupperwear containers and splash and dive already. Should I be concerned about them tiring and sitting, or is this normal? I have had plenty of adult ducks, and day old chicks, but never young ducklings! I am thinking I would like to add a supplement or vitamin to their diet, would anyone have some recommended products?
Thank you for reading! As a side note, getting them so young has been amazing. My past ducks have been extremely skittish becuase they came to me as adults. These guys are already approaching me, following me when I talk to them, and love to hang out with me on the couch (my boyfriend likes it less!) I had thought about hatching ducklings, but decided I would rather wait to take that on. I am very happy that they are interested in me, will each out of my hand, and seem comfortable around me. They are not dependant on me, which I would not want. I have read about having ducklings be imprinted on a person and being too dependant. I am happy that they enjoy my company, but that they are still ducks! Any advice would be appreciated!
