Pekin Duck Club!

Congrats on your new ducks!! The tail will start curling closer to 4-5 months, but you will be able to tell male from female sooner simply by their voice (loud quacking - female, raspy/whispery quack - male).

On the snacks, no bread, onions, or potatoes - or at least limit them. Stick to lots of greens and/or bugs - good healthy lettuces (limit spinach) like arugula, romaine, kale, dandelion greens, etc. Frozen, thawed peas are a super favorite! You can also get mealworms, earthworms, etc. Minnows in the pool are always fun!

IMHO - never give layer feed. It's just not a good healthy feed - too much calcium if you have males. It's hard on their organs to digest that much calcium and in turn can shorten their life span. I prefer to give all my flocks (ducks/chickens, all ages and genders) a grower/flock raiser forever. Then, I just provide calcium on the side and they can all get it when they need it - they know better than I. If you do decide to use layer anyway, don't use it until they start laying - it's very bad for young birds - actually depletes the nutrients they need for growth.


X2 on kodster's reply - as long as they have shade and water, they will be fine.

Are they laying yet? If so, you can start providing oyster shell on the side - giving them eggshells is fine too... won't hurt them at all.

As for the leg, it is hard to say but I would maybe add some niacin to their water for a little while and give some extra greens that are high in B vitamins - might make a difference with the healing process.
We have done greens. They get lettuce, mustard, collard, turnip. Really anything growing in my garden that I decide to throw in. They are not laying yet but I expect them to at any time. They are about 18 wks. My boys just get chick starter and the girls all get layer pellets and scratch feed. I have been thinking about changing.
 
So I hear you are supposed to add niacin to their water when they first hatch. How much do I add, and do they have to have it forever? Or can you stop giving it to them after a certain age? Also what is the best thing to feed them? I've read alot of this but so many people seem to be saying so many different things... I'm new to ducks too so sorry all the questions lol. Just want them to be happy and healthy. 


If you are feeding them proper duck starter you do not need to supplement unless there is a problem...
 
So I hear you are supposed to add niacin to their water when they first hatch. How much do I add, and do they have to have it forever? Or can you stop giving it to them after a certain age? Also what is the best thing to feed them? I've read alot of this but so many people seem to be saying so many different things... I'm new to ducks too so sorry all the questions lol. Just want them to be happy and healthy.
100-125 mg per gallon of water for the first 10-12 weeks. I will occasionally give them niacin through the winter due to the lack of greens and bugs or sometimes give them some if healing from an injury or bumblefoot, just to give them that extra boost. Niacin must not be the "flush-free", "time-release", etc. kind, just regular niacin. I had to get it at my health food store as all the grocery stores only carried the "flush-free" types. I would just get the 100mg capsules and dump the powder into their water and stir. I found it easiest to just make it an old gallon milk jug and then pour it in their waterer when needed. As far as feed, just regular old non-medicated chick starter is fine... then switch to a grower/flock raiser for the remainder of their lives - pretty simple!
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If you are feeding them proper duck starter you do not need to supplement unless there is a problem...

X2 - actual duck feed is supposed to have everything they need - but there is no duck starter anywhere near me, everyone uses chicken feed.
 
Ohhhhh boy.....literally. I just listened very carefully and I'm Perry sure I have 4 drakes in my six Pekin duck family. Is that ok? I love my ducks. I don't wanna let any go :(
 
The girls depend on you for their wellbeing. You may need to separate them. I say may, because I suppose that there is a small chance that mating won't become dangerous for the girls, but, it's not likely.

So,
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How do you feel about expanding your duck family by adopting some girls????
 
100-125 mg per gallon of water for the first 10-12 weeks. I will occasionally give them niacin through the winter due to the lack of greens and bugs or sometimes give them some if healing from an injury or bumblefoot, just to give them that extra boost. Niacin must not be the "flush-free", "time-release", etc. kind, just regular niacin. I had to get it at my health food store as all the grocery stores only carried the "flush-free" types. I would just get the 100mg capsules and dump the powder into their water and stir. I found it easiest to just make it an old gallon milk jug and then pour it in their waterer when needed. As far as feed, just regular old non-medicated chick starter is fine... then switch to a grower/flock raiser for the remainder of their lives - pretty simple!
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X2 - actual duck feed is supposed to have everything they need - but there is no duck starter anywhere near me, everyone uses chicken feed.
Oh that sounds simple. Thanks!
 
Had to share that today it was 90+ here in OH and EVERYONE got Popsicles!!! Omg the ducks and chickens LOVED IT! I'm already making a new one haha this one had layers of peas. Green beans and carrots! Hours of fun!!
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Annnnnd good news to report! My girls are finally warming up to the baby goslings!! Awww look
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They even let them swim in their big girl pool! While they sit and watch them ... They are huge now! Almost 4 weeks!
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Haha I might have to expand.
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I am in the same boat
Had to share that today it was 90+ here in OH and EVERYONE got Popsicles!!! Omg the ducks and chickens LOVED IT! I'm already making a new one haha this one had layers of peas. Green beans and carrots! Hours of fun!!

Annnnnd good news to report! My girls are finally warming up to the baby goslings!! Awww look

They even let them swim in their big girl pool! While they sit and watch them ... They are huge now! Almost 4 weeks!
Love the popsicles. I think I might take that idea.
 
Checked my guys today and both have boo-boos on their feet... gave them a soak and some meds just to be safe. I think it is the gravel in the driveway hurting their feet. Was hoping they would stay out of it, but no such luck. Need to replace with something more pooper-friendly. It will be a nightmare hauling all that gravel back out. Ugh.
 

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