Questions about my ducklings arriving soon!

[carlyducks]

Hello!
So I just received an email from Metzer Farms letting me know my 2 female ducklings will be shipping out Monday and arriving Wednesday! (So excited & nervous)..

I have a bunch of last minute questions/double checking before they get here, if anyone can answer any I'd appreciate it!

1. For brewers yeast, can it just be any kind from the grocery store? Anything it cannot have/or should have in it?

2. I was told for the yeast, to use 1 tablespoon per cup, is this correct? My feeder holds 4 cups, so 4 tablespoons mixed in?

3. Can they have treats at any age as long as I provide chick grit? (lettuce, peas, etc..)

4. How long should they be on the 20% starter feed. Metzer says 3 weeks?

5. After the starter feed, is a 14% grower/finisher what they should be switched to? (This is what my adult drake eats)

6. I know that my adult drake should not mate with the ducklings until they are mature, but once they are big enough to be introduced, can they be together as long as I make sure he does not mate with them? (They only have access to their pool during free ranging time and can only do that when I am out there with them..)

7. Any tips on introducing? I have 2 adult ducks, one drake, one female. I was planning on waiting until the ducklings are bigger, so probably partially feathered (because I heard that drakes will try to kill babies). I will let them see each other as babies, but only with a fence in-between, I think it will be good for my adults to see them as they grow..

8. What age can I let them swim in the bath tub for the first time? I've seen some people do it as early as a week?

9. Lastly, is it okay to handle the ducklings a lot? Like a few times a day? I see people letting theirs walk around the room or hold them on the couch, etc. Is it okay to do that even though they'll be away from their lamp during that time? And will handling them frequently help them be more tame as adults?

Thank you!!

 

[Mckennas poultry]

Q1 and Q2. https://www.fresheggsdaily.com/2012/02/basic-duckling-care-raising-healthy.html

Q3. I’d give them 3 weeks till you start giving them treats

Q4 I give mine starter feed until they are fully feathered

Q5 yes, but make sure they’re eating it.

Q6 when they’re fully feathered you can introduce them to eachother, just keep an eye on them

Q7 introducing ducks is easy, they are very social birds. The only problems there may be would usually occur at food time

Q8. Three days old, no longer, provide a shallow dish of water

Q9 yes you can handle them as much as you want, if they are day olds they will probably imprint on you

 

[Miss Lydia]

Be sure not to get baking yeast you want nutritional yeast or brewers yeast and yes you have the right dosage

Here is some more info and a pic of home made waterer. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/raising-and-caring-for-ducklings.750869/

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Which feed are you starting them on?

 

[carlyducks]

Q1 and Q2. https://www.fresheggsdaily.com/2012/02/basic-duckling-care-raising-healthy.html

Q3. I’d give them 3 weeks till you start giving them treats

Q4 I give mine starter feed until they are fully feathered

Q5 yes, but make sure they’re eating it.

Q6 when they’re fully feathered you can introduce them to eachother, just keep an eye on them

Q7 introducing ducks is easy, they are very social birds. The only problems there may be would usually occur at food time

Q8. Three days old, no longer, provide a shallow dish of water

Q9 yes you can handle them as much as you want, if they are day olds they will probably imprint on you

Thank you so much!!!!

 

[carlyducks]

Be sure not to get baking yeast you want nutritional yeast or brewers yeast and yes you have the right dosage

Here is some more info and a pic of home made waterer. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/raising-and-caring-for-ducklings.750869/

Thank you !!!

 

[carlyducks]

Which feed are you starting them on?

Dumor chick starter 20%

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Dumor chick starter 20%

Ah. Ok. I was told purina flock raiser is a good feed (actually read it in Storey's guide to raising ducks) and the majority here agree. It is also a feed you can feed to your whole flock - if you have other poultry just add oyster shell in a separate dish for layers.
It is 20% protein as well. I was told by many knowledgeable byc members there is no reason to change to a different feed as they can be on it their whole lives.
The best thing about it is that it has added niacin which ducklings need - chick starter does not, so you will want to add some niacin in the form of a b complex or brewers yeast. I still add a little niacin just to cover them - as a precaution.