Newbie

[fldiver97]

Welcome

 

[happy duck]

Hello all. I am considering getting a few Muscovys this coming spring but have a few questions. I have never raised day old fowl before but I think I understand the basics. Tote with hardware clothe top, heat lamp. Food. Water. Clean bedding.

I would have to raise them in the house until they are old enough to go into a chicken tractor. At what age could they be transferred?

Can I use nipple waterers exclusively to cut down on mess in the brooder?

Welcome! I am @happy duck and very happy to meet you! I think I can answer your questions:
1. They can be out of the brooder at 4 weeks, but 3 weeks is a great time for small visits outside and a little swimming. Make sure they are not out from under the heat light for to long or they can get chilled. Once you get them out side at 4 weeks a chicken tractor will be a great home!
2. I would not use nipple waterer because ducks have to fully soak there bill in the water to soften there food to swallow it. Providing a nipple waterer would not let them clean there nares or soften there food, causing them to choke. No using them will cause a mess, but it is better to have a mess and clean it up VS ducklings that choked.

I am very happy you are getting ducks...and hope I can be an assistance to your Q's in the future! Here is a great blog post that walks you through raising ducklings...in case you are missing anything:https://www.fresheggsdaily.com/2012/02/basic-duckling-care-raising-healthy.html.
Welcome again to BYC!

 

[alexa009]

Welcome to Backyard Chickens! We are glad you joined the flock! BYC is a helpful site providing all of the information you need to know about poultry. There is always space for members on the BYC roost!

It seems like you have gotten a lot of helpful answers already! Good luck with your muscovy raising because it seems as if you are on the right path.
Hope you enjoy it here as much as we all do!

 

[drumstick diva]

so glad you joined the flock

 

[KLIL]

Hello from down under Australia and welcome to BYC!
You are going to love it here.

Feel free to pop by and share your daily updates for 2019 too.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/flock-life-journeys-2019.1286370/

Lovely to meet you and hope to speak more.