Newbie Living Feather Style

[turduckin]

Hey all! Just became a feather kid mom. Literally. We went to the tractor supply store and I wanted to rescue a baby that was getting picked on badly and they wouldn't let me have him unless I purchased 6. So I have hero, the poor baby pecked beyond anything; Turduckin the duckling that will have identity crisis issues and not know if he's a turkey duck or chicken hence the name; colossus the runt; peanut butter and jelly the reverse twins, and last but not least black bob. I have no clue what breed any of them are but I'm looking forward to getting to know them and how to keep them alive so any advice is welcome! Thanks for reading and I look forward to getting to meet new friends.

 

[Duckopolis]

Hello,

.
I would just do some basic research on owning poultry. I own ducks, geese, chickens, and quail. Good luck on finding what you need to know!

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! A good place to start is the BYC Learning Center https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center lots of good articles on chicken keeping. This is a good article on caring for chicks the first couple of weeks https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/raising-your-baby-chicks there is also an article on brooding chicks and ducklings together since you only have one duckling https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/to-brood-or-not-to-brood-baby-ducks-and-chicks-together If you want some guesses as to what your chicks could be breed wise, you could post pictures on the What Breed Or Gender Is This forum https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/15/what-breed-or-gender-is-this

 

[drumstick diva]

Please don't let any of the chicks bully her. If she has any reddened spots - chicks will attack her.
If you get some Blucote you can apply it to her wounds -so the red is covered.

 

[turduckin]

Please don't let any of the chicks bully her.  If she has any reddened spots - chicks will attack her.
If you get some Blucote you can apply it to her wounds -so the red is covered.

Thank you! What is blukote? Where do I get it? I have the poor little guy in a box under a heat lamp with his ownbfood and water and used udderbalm w

 

[turduckin]

Thank you all for the helpful tips and info, I'm gonna need it

 

[TwoCrows]

Quote:

Yes, keep this one separated until it heals fairly well. But what a kind heart you have to rescue this little one! I do the same thing.

Blu-kote is an antibiotic spray you can get at any feed store, and usually in the horse section. It will not only stop any infection, but it will color the skin a purple color and will stop other birds from messing with the area. Always keep blu-kote on hand as you will need it in the future for other wounds and to stop pecking. Oh, and wear latex gloves when you use it as it stains. If you have to apply it around eyes or on faces, you can spray a small amount in a glass bowl and apply it with a q tip. Clean out the bowl with water quick like.

Good luck with your new babies and enjoy BYC!

 

[turduckin]

You are amazing thanks for your help! I can raise kids, dogs, cats, a garden, bearded dragons, snakes, geckos, but never have I ever taken on any kind of bird. We got the $20 starter kit which came with a big roll of cardboard type material a waterer and feeder and a sample pack of feed. Any suggestions on the best food to feed? I'm very much in love with them all and my little duckling is my sidekick. Hopefully they don't end up just living indoors with us any idea on how to tell if they are roosters or hens?

 

[turduckin]

My little colossus

 

[turduckin]

Sir Turduckin