newbie duck questions

[jujubean99]

Hello all! I am new to duckie raising and I have a few questions:
How long until I should let them swim (I think they are about 4-5 days old now)
How long do they need the brooder light
What do you all know about Buff Orpington ducks
How long until I should let them forage outside (with me watching)
What characteristics should I look for to determine genders without vent sexing?
Also, they seem to hate being held way more than baby chickens, is this true with all duckies or just mine?
Any extra special info would be helpful too! Thanks!
ps. I have one buff orpington, one indian runner, and one cayuga (I think)

 

[Amiga]

Welcome!

How long until I should let them swim (I think they are about 4-5 days old now)
How long do they need the brooder light
What do you all know about Buff Orpington ducks
How long until I should let them forage outside (with me watching)
What characteristics should I look for to determine genders without vent sexing?
Also, they seem to hate being held way more than baby chickens, is this true with all duckies or just mine?
Any extra special info would be helpful too! Thanks

I let them "swim" at 2 days old, in cake pans, for about 5 minutes in 90 degree F water. Then every few days, in the tub, 90 degrees, up to their bellies (which means a little deeper each time). At first I needed to help a few dry off, with a washcloth, but they eventually all got the idea. I scooped them right back into the brooder (which I had freshly changed and heated), and watched to make sure everyone preened and dried off and settled down. They did not like being held, but they would cuddle up next to me or hop into my lap.

I am not sure what you mean about how long they need a brooder light. Let me try an answer. Mine needed extra heat until they could tolerate the temperature of my house - about 65 to 70 degrees. So that means after six weeks we no longer needed the heat lamps.

I know nothing about Buff Orpingtons - I had Pekins long ago, and now have Indian runners.

With you watching over like a momma duck, with something to keep them from running off and the neighbor's dog from rushing in, if the temperatures outside are warm enough (90 degrees, or even 85 in the sun without much breeze) they should be okay. Remember some hawks like ducklings. Chills are a big concern at their age.

In a couple of weeks their voices will begin to change. By five weeks or so, the girls will be able to quack. Drakes don't quack. There is a site with the two sounds somewhere out there on the 'net.

Ducklings seem to struggle at least at first when held. Many people just hold them calmly and say they settle down.

They need more niacin than chicks - about three times more, I think. They aren't always picky about what they put in their mouths. They can get into more unimaginable trouble faster than I ever thought.

They grow SO quickly! A solution that works today may not work day after tomorrow.

There is more, but I will let others have some fun with this.