No One Told Me This About Baby Ducks

[Miss Lydia]

The one buff duck with the leg around it's neck....it is losing all its "feathers" around its head. Doesn't look like it has a sore or anything. It started out like a wet spot on its head (I thought it was just wet down sticking to her head) but it is spreading to both sides of the face and head. Any idea? Is it just losing down to prepare for short hair/feathers or ????

Could be someone is chewing on the lil one. They will do things like that if they don't have alot of room to move around but they also do loose some down as new feathers begin to appear. Looks like they are in a pool? so it must not be from lack of space. That is just the cutest pic of that leg around the neck. You might want to sit and watch to see if you can catch anyone chewing on the lil one. I would also remove the news paper too slick and can cause leg problems. Pee pads or [rubber shelf liner which can be washed and reused] is good ideas. Do you get to take them outside for some exercise? or is it too cold now.

 

[Betsy57]

Could be someone is chewing on the lil one. They will do things like that if they don't have alot of room to move around but they also do loose some down as new feathers begin to appear. Looks like they are in a pool? so it must not be from lack of space. That is just the cutest pic of that leg around the neck. You might want to sit and watch to see if you can catch anyone chewing on the lil one. I would also remove the news paper too slick and can cause leg problems. Pee pads or [rubber shelf liner which can be washed and reused] is good ideas. Do you get to take them outside for some exercise? or is it too cold now.

They're in the shed now (chicken coop now duck coop). They're on pine shavings. The paper never stayed dry long enough to get slick. I've been sitting watching them and saw one duck nibble on the other. Maybe that's it. Doesn't look like anything wrong with it other than no fuzz. The black ones seem to be doing better. One still looks like it has more bowed legs than the others but zipping around pretty good. They're liking the more room and zooming/pitter patter-ing around like crazy! They have a heat lamp on but they're not staying under it so guess they're not cold. We're in an unusual warm snap (60 at night and 80 during the day). Set up another waterer with deeper water and boy do they love that! They're just wanting to get in and swim but not enough room for them but they're getting a leg in. Funny. When I come in the shed they come running to me.

 

[Miss Lydia]

They're in the shed now (chicken coop now duck coop). They're on pine shavings. The paper never stayed dry long enough to get slick. I've been sitting watching them and saw one duck nibble on the other. Maybe that's it. Doesn't look like anything wrong with it other than no fuzz. The black ones seem to be doing better. One still looks like it has more bowed legs than the others but zipping around pretty good. They're liking the more room and zooming/pitter patter-ing around like crazy! They have a heat lamp on but they're not staying under it so guess they're not cold. We're in an unusual warm snap (60 at night and 80 during the day). Set up another waterer with deeper water and boy do they love that! They're just wanting to get in and swim but not enough room for them but they're getting a leg in. Funny. When I come in the shed they come running to me.

Sounds like you have everything done that needs done. So just keep it up and hopefully once real feathers come in the nibbling will stop. Exercise is big key to keeping them happy. Great news about the Cayugas doing better too. You need to keep the pics up though we love to watch them grow. Keeping water fowl happy they need to be able to forage and do duck stuff so on those nice days take them outside when you can supervise and let them be ducks. They will be so tired when you put them back inside they won't do any chewing hopefully.

 

[Betsy57]

Babies will be 3 weeks old tomorrow. They're doing good. The black ones are too. They were much more fragile than the others and slow going but doing well right now.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Babies will be 3 weeks old tomorrow. They're doing good. The black ones are too. They were much more fragile than the others and slow going but doing well right now.

They all look great. happy to hear they are doing well especially the Cayugas since they were having some problems .. Such cuties..

 

[Betsy57]

Baby ducks are a month today! Wow have they grown! They're getting their feathers and seem to be getting them as I watch them. They had their first little dip today in water. My goodness they love water! When should I change from chick grit to "adult" grit?

 

[Betsy57]

Anyone know when to change ducks from chick size grit to adult size grit?

 

[cayugaducklady]

I don't know the answer. I offer chick grit and full size grit to my adult hens because i have an abundance of both. Each bird eats the grit they need. I don't know what I'll get once they finish off my current stock.

 

[Betsy57]

Duckies will be 5 weeks old Sunday. Since it has been so warm (70), I've let them out to do a bit of swimming. Their third time swimming and MAN do they LOVE water! So entertaining!




Should I switch them from chick grit to adult grit now?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Duckies will be 5 weeks old Sunday. Since it has been so warm (70), I've let them out to do a bit of swimming. Their third time swimming and MAN do they LOVE water! So entertaining!




Should I switch them from chick grit to adult grit now?

@Betsy57 I don't think it really matters what size grit they have unless the adult grit is pretty big. They sure are adorable, How are the Cayugas doing looks like they are keeping up with the rest.