Questions for you duck people!

[birdlover]

Thanks Julie!! Don't want them to drown for sure!!! I got my sweeties today and, oh my gosh! I don't think I'm going to get ANYthing done, they're so cute! I just want to watch them all day. One thing that surprised me was they cried very loudly if I wasn't around. I didn't think they'd imprint on me because they're about 8 days old but they follow me everywhere! Early evening, I HAD to put them in their brooder and cook dinner!! They peeped their little heads off (no they weren't cold, hungry or thirsty) but, eventually, settled down. They love sitting on me or next to my feet and I think I've got two verrry tame little duckies! (I had 18 to choose from in the classroom and I took two that didn't run from my hand when I put it in the brooder). Question: One duck peeps much more than the other. Think that means that one's a girl and the other's a boy???

Ellen

 

[farmertank]

ok this is not written in stone, but I found that you can tell by their tails. Females have the tendency to have a shorter tail and it curls up more. Do you know what breed or can you post pics? maybe we can help you tell what breed. The best way to tell their sex is to wait for their feathers, but if you are like me you are probly impatient

baby ducks imprint really easy and I love how they treat you like mommy. My favorite thing to do is put them in the tub and put the shower on luke warm, they love it and are so cute to watch them preen themselves.
Julie

 

[mlheran]

Quote:
Hmmmm, maybe, maybe not. I have two month-old females and the "lead" duck always peeps more (and louder) than the other. I also just got four new ducklings from Ideal, they are sexed and for the most part everyone peeps the same. One thing that worked with my original trio (I lost the male) was taking them out of the brooder one by one -so that they couldn't see the others- and listening to their voice. Females are generally much louder, and males are a bit quieter and kind of whispery or raspy. It worked for my first trio, but I have yet to try it with the new four.

Of course, aside from vent sexing (which you can do at any age in a duck, but is easiest when they're under a year) the only sure way to tell is when they get their true plumage. At least you'll have lots of cute antics while you wait!

 

[birdlover]

Well, my duo are Indian runner ducklings. They are all yellow with just a smidge of brown on their foreheads. I'm assuming they'll be either white or fawn??? Does anyone ever name their ducks Donald and Daisy or is that just too trite?? Assuming I have a boy and girl, I've been thinking of names of famous couples (besides D. & D. ) Here are some I thought of:

Sonny/Cher Blondie/Dagwood George/Laura Hillary/Bill Ray/Debra (Everybody Loves Raymond) Abraham/Sarah Ricky/Lucy

Can you guys think of others?

Took them out and let them swim in a shallow container while I played life guard. The water came up to their chests. Boy, did they love diving and splashing!! They even tried their luck at swimming although one cheated and only paddled one leg while walking on the other! LOL Thank you again for all the advice and help!!! I'm starting to think I can do this!!!!

 

[DuckLady]

Ellen! You are a DUCK person! YAY!
The ones you had (was it last year?) that was a temporary situation, right?

Well, it sounds like the imprinted on humans, which is natural if they were hatched in a classroom with many pairs of eyes watching their every move.

For bedding, I use old towels in the tote or tub and toss them in the washer each day. When they are 3 or so weeks old, I use shavings. You just changes as needed and trust me, you will know! LOL

I use the bathtub as a brooder. It is easier to keep clean and when I take out the towels to change them, I hose everything off, ducklings included. It is warmer in the house usually, so added heat is on an as needed basis. Look for the same signs as in chicks. Huddling=too cold. Panting or spaced way off=too hot. If they are in the house, it is more fun, since it is easier to interact with them.

They should be on non medicated waterfowl or game bird starter for the first 2 or 3 weeks then they can have grower and a little less protein, but you kow that already. Treats are ok, as long as they have grit to go with it. Lettuces, watermelon, like that. I don't bother with treats til they are on the ground, that way I don't have to bother with the grit.

They will love to have a lukewarm bath for a few minutes a day as long as they get towelled off and back under a heat lamp right away. Have your camera handy, it is fun to watch. I use the kitchen sink for ducky baths. It is deep enough that they can't jump out and splat on the floor and high enough that YOU don't have to be all stooped over watching the cuteness.


Sexing is impossible without looking at the vent at this stage. Peeping alot... I would have to go the other way. My hubby talks WAY more than I do

You know you can email me anytime, Ellen and call if you want.

Have fun and don't sweat the stinky stuff. They will be grown and outside before you know it. Enjoy those babies and I know you will spoil them like I spoil mine!

 

[chickenlisa]

Birdlover- Our 2 adult Blue Swedish ducks are Buddy and Holly. We adopted them a month ago and he was already called Buddy, so we had to name her Holly. Our 6 babies don't have names yet. We're also impatient to see who they are-males or females.
Lisa

 

[birdlover]

Buddy and Holly!! teeheehee! I like that!

Terrie!! I've been meaning to let you know I've become a duck person!!! Oh my, have they stolen my heart! O.K. It's around 80 or so during the day so I've been letting them out on the grass (I stay with them). Is this not a good thing? I don't want to hurt the little sweethearts! I used the last of the hay today so I have to get some sort of new bedding tomorrow. Maybe I'll try what you use but our tub is out of the question! We only have one tub in our house.

Is hay okay to use? This is so much fun!!! Oh, and tonight, I decided to try and hold them while watching TV. I had an old towel under them but, of course, they wanted to go up on my shoulder, leaving the towel behind on my chest. Sure enough, I got baptized and so did the couch! Oh well. Live and learn!

What a good memory you have!! Yes, the ducks I rescued last year were only temporary. I like having just two little baby ones but I was unprepared for 6 almost grown ones!

And, BTW, a teacher ordered them from a hatchery. They arrived already hatched so that's why I was somewhat surprised that they imprinted so easily. But I'm not complaining!! LOL

Ellen

 

[DuckLady]

Well, Ellen, welcome to the madness you quackhead, you!

Going outside under supervision is the best thing. If it is warm there, go for it. You will be able to tell when the babies have had enough. Hay is fine, you will have to change it alot. I would put a sheet over it until they learn it is not food. Whatelse. Oh cover you whole house in sheets or towels when you hold them on your lap. LOL Your furniture will thank you!

Congrats again!

(ellen has duuuuuckieeeeees...ellen has duuuuckieeeees!)

 

[Julie R]

I have two ducks that about 8-9 weeks old now one is a Pekin and the other is a crested/mallard mix.
I would love to know if I have females or males.
I was told to watch the tail feathers if there is a tail feather that curls it means it is a male - straight tails means female.
So far they both have straight tails, and the pekin has a very raspy quiet " voice " and the mallard mix is pretty quiet. any thoughts ?

Julie