Newb.

[kphollenbeck]

Hey everyone,
New bird owner here. Got my first goldstar ducks like 4 days ago. They are a week old as of yesterday I think. Never had any birds before but I wanted to get ducks and chickens (haven't gotten them yet) for the eggs and pest control. My question is what should I be doing with them?
I clean their bedding and water twice a day. They're growing like weeds and now I need to figure out what to put them in soon because they're already almost too big for the dog kennel I have them in. They are absolutely terrified of us. I have 3 kids 1 of which is 2 and my youngest the other 2 are over 10. I try to handle them for a few minutes each day atleast once. We've taken their food out and every hour or so go put it back and sit and talk to them while they eat. But if they see you move or your hand they bolt for the corner and huddled and now try to jump out of the pen.
Right now they are on a really good starter feed and everyone says to give treats but what can they have? And how do you give them treats when they want nothing to do with you? Just put them in the pen with them? Also, brewers yeast, neccessary? There feed says it has niacin in it but doesnt say how much.
Any advice is really helpful cuz I don't have any personal experience with this.

 

[Isaac 0]

Hey everyone,
New bird owner here. Got my first goldstar ducks like 4 days ago. They are a week old as of yesterday I think. Never had any birds before but I wanted to get ducks and chickens (haven't gotten them yet) for the eggs and pest control. My question is what should I be doing with them?
I clean their bedding and water twice a day. They're growing like weeds and now I need to figure out what to put them in soon because they're already almost too big for the dog kennel I have them in. They are absolutely terrified of us. I have 3 kids 1 of which is 2 and my youngest the other 2 are over 10. I try to handle them for a few minutes each day atleast once. We've taken their food out and every hour or so go put it back and sit and talk to them while they eat. But if they see you move or your hand they bolt for the corner and huddled and now try to jump out of the pen.
Right now they are on a really good starter feed and everyone says to give treats but what can they have? And how do you give them treats when they want nothing to do with you? Just put them in the pen with them? Also, brewers yeast, neccessary? There feed says it has niacin in it but doesnt say how much.
Any advice is really helpful cuz I don't have any personal experience with this.

If you are feeding anything other then a feed intended for ducks, you will have to supplement with niacin, that could be in the form of brewer’s yeast, poultry vitamins, nutritional yeast or B complex pills, either one will work to help prevent/treat leg problems. Ducklings seem to like peas, meal worms, lettuce or any other green the most, throw it in a water dish and they will dig in, The more you spend time with them the more they will start to bond with you, Try sitting by their pen for a short while, maybe try to coax one to pick some treats out of your hand. When walking near ducklings think in their point of view, try to walk slowly, speak with a soft calm voice make slow hand movements, It’s their natural instinct to think of anything bigger then them as a predator.

 

[Isaac 0]

Treats for ducks-

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

 

[kphollenbeck]

If you are feeding anything other then a feed intended for ducks, you will have to supplement with niacin, that could be in the form of brewer’s yeast, poultry vitamins, nutritional yeast or B complex pills, either one will work to help prevent/treat leg problems. Ducklings seem to like peas, meal worms, lettuce or any other green the most, throw it in a water dish and they will dig in, The more you spend time with them the more they will start to bond with you, Try sitting by their pen for a short while, maybe try to coax one to pick some treats out of your hand. When walking near ducklings think in their point of view, try to walk slowly, speak with a soft calm voice make slow hand movements, It’s their natural instinct to think of anything bigger then them as a predator.

Thank you! This info is super helpful! We have been spending a few minutes with them about every hour or 2 and talking to them. Its definitely been helping. Thanks for advice!

 

[kphollenbeck]

Treats for ducks-

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

Thank you! This is just what I was looking for!

 

[tribalacres]

Hey everyone,
New bird owner here. Got my first goldstar ducks like 4 days ago. They are a week old as of yesterday I think. Never had any birds before but I wanted to get ducks and chickens (haven't gotten them yet) for the eggs and pest control. My question is what should I be doing with them?
I clean their bedding and water twice a day. They're growing like weeds and now I need to figure out what to put them in soon because they're already almost too big for the dog kennel I have them in. They are absolutely terrified of us. I have 3 kids 1 of which is 2 and my youngest the other 2 are over 10. I try to handle them for a few minutes each day atleast once. We've taken their food out and every hour or so go put it back and sit and talk to them while they eat. But if they see you move or your hand they bolt for the corner and huddled and now try to jump out of the pen.
Right now they are on a really good starter feed and everyone says to give treats but what can they have? And how do you give them treats when they want nothing to do with you? Just put them in the pen with them? Also, brewers yeast, neccessary? There feed says it has niacin in it but doesnt say how much.
Any advice is really helpful cuz I don't have any personal experience with this.

We got ducks almost two weeks ago and it was the same for us they were so skiddish....now they kinda like us lol. We take them out for fifteen minutes with a little bit of water, we keep ours in a kiddie pool with pine shavings, and a heat lamp, and water and feed. The water we put niacin in and we have found out they love meal worms and eat from our hands. It's the best ever. You should post pictures.

 

[kphollenbeck]

This is my first batch of babies. I think they were about a week old when I got them. So I think they are 4 or 5 weeks old now? How old do you think they are?
I bought the biggest rubbermaid tub I could for them and they've almost outgrown it. I'm thinking they are about ready to be outside. Ideas?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Close to 4 weeks depends on your temps. Not feathered in they may still need heat especially at night . They sure are precious

 

[Isaac 0]

This is my first batch of babies. I think they were about a week old when I got them. So I think they are 4 or 5 weeks old now? How old do you think they are?
I bought the biggest rubbermaid tub I could for them and they've almost outgrown it. I'm thinking they are about ready to be outside. Ideas?

I would say around four weeks, depends on your temps, but they should be fully feathered before you let them out full time so they can maintain heat better as well as repel water more efficiently. Kiddie Pools work great for brooders.

 

[kphollenbeck]

The issue I'm running into is lack of space. This is what they are in now, in my kitchen. Lol so in a couple more weeks they should be able to go outside. They're going through water like crazy and I clean their pen 2 to 3 times a day because they're so messy. Lol