Please help: welcoming 2 week old Call ducklings

[Kjirstyn]

Could I maybe get some help with my new ducks? We have two week old call ducklings arriving tomorrow morning (2 of them) and while I've done some reading and research, I still feel completely clueless about what they need. I also need to know if normal duck guidelines might be different for Calls, since they're smaller. I've read that ducks are super cold hardy, but then was told that Calls aren't, so I'm not sure if that's wrong info, or specific to bantam breeds. ??

At two weeks, what should ducklings be eating? How long before that changes?

Can ducks eat out of a normal baby chick feeder or are the holes too small for them? I know we have to use a different sort of waterer so they can submerge their beak, so that won't be a problem.

Are they more or less like chickens as far as when they can go outside (how cold in relation to how many feathers they have)?

Or just tell me everything you do for your two week olds. I'm just nervous because I have NO knowledge of ducks, whereas chickens I had at least been around growing up and knew some of their needs.

Thanks so much, ahead of time...been looking forward to these duckies for a long time and all of a sudden things just worked out and I'm a little nervous!

 

[Amiga]

Have you read the Raising Ducks sticky?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/750869/raising-and-caring-for-ducklings#post_10611711

I would only change one thing - rather than 2 weeks to reduce availability of food and water, make that 8 weeks. Ducklings grow so fast, they need all the nutrients they can get.

I don't know specifically about calls, but there is Da Cute and Cuddly Call Duck thread you can search for it may have loads of info you can use.

Please keep in regular touch with us on the forum, there are many caring people here who can help.

You have a brooder, yes? At two weeks, ducklings need it to be about 80F. And ducklings need to be closely observed. There is some variation in their needs. Some need more of certain nutrients, some need it just a little cooler, all of them are capable of getting into weird unanticipated trouble.

 

[Kjirstyn]

I have read through those threads, but I'll check them out again...in relation to those threads specifically, I was just wondering if things were different for bantams...I know with bantam chickens it's usually the same thing, but didn't want to assume wrongly for ducks.

 

[Amiga]

Here's the call duck thread

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/292411/da-cute-and-cuddly-call-duck-thread/1110

And congratulations!!!!!

 

[Going Quackers]

I own some, yes they are cold hardy mine are outside in the cold and snow and swim still. I am in the minority where my calls are on the ground, they have a 10x10 pen that they can swim, touch grass(whenever it reappears!!) and play in the mud.

The main thing i found is yes, small feed and water containers BUT calls are massive water hogs too... they maybe what i call "pound cake ducks" but will make a water mess and climb into stuff just like any other duck would.

I also found a pellet to be harder for them to eat till older, sizes vary but mine are pretty small.. like they still struggle with whole corn? but are able to eat a pellet.. mind you i waited till they were older to introduce that shaping...

These are my younger two this past winter(that is still here lol) they love the snow.. only in very extremes did i not put them out, frankly if they have the option to go in/out the better.. currently mine have separate housing from their pen.



They all fly drakes included and well! like mallard ducks do... are you aware of the sexes? the females are LOUD the drakes barely a garble. I have a quad.

Here my whole flock...



Being so small they are more pred prone, hence why mine do not free range... i do have mine full flight but cover my run, that is an individual thing really. They need grit and oyster shell like any other duck, like a bit of scratch, adore lettuce and peas.. just keep in mind they are very curious and the smaller stature allows them to get into places bigger ducks cannot so deep holes, or wide wire leaves for some risks.

You should enjoy them! they are my "pets" my other ducks serve purpose these are pure eye candy, in warmer months they have a 40GAL trough right now it's frozen so we are using small pans so they can swim.

 

[Kjirstyn]

We do not know the genders...they're not from a breeder, just a 4H family, so they weren't familiar with how to do it. I'll probably take it upon myself one of these days to at least TRY and see, since they're 2+ weeks old now. Meanwhile I think we'll just pick gender neutral names...

They seem to be doing great in our tub, since just two of them. Trashing their water frequently, of course. They're so cute, how they completely dunk their heads in. One of these days I'll haul out a deep pan to watch them swim in, just for the fun of it...and then dry them off, of course.

 

[Miss Lydia]

We do not know the genders...they're not from a breeder, just a 4H family, so they weren't familiar with how to do it. I'll probably take it upon myself one of these days to at least TRY and see, since they're 2+ weeks old now. Meanwhile I think we'll just pick gender neutral names...

They seem to be doing great in our tub, since just two of them. Trashing their water frequently, of course. They're so cute, how they completely dunk their heads in. One of these days I'll haul out a deep pan to watch them swim in, just for the fun of it...and then dry them off, of course.

Where's the pics? lol

 

[Kjirstyn]

Oh right, the all important pictures! I only have one so far...had to snag one for Facebook announcements, naturally.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Oh right, the all important pictures! I only have one so far...had to snag one for Facebook announcements, naturally.

They are beautiful... is face book announcements like birth announcements?

 

[Kjirstyn]

They are beautiful... is face book announcements like birth announcements?

Well...around our place they are. Blessed event! Two baby ducklings! :-D

Of course, it might just be so we can maintain our reputation as being certifiably nuts in the eyes of all our acquaintances.