Raising ducklings with baby chicks

[Puddin Fluff]

I have been raising chickens for a while but just received 2 ducklings whose mama abandoned them and I know nothing about ducks.

Anyone out there have experience with raising ducklings with chicks? I am especially interested in how to set up water for the ducklings to play/drink without worring about the chickies drowning themselves.

All advice is appreciated!

 

[Puddin Fluff]

Any one?

 

[keesmom]

I kept mine separate. They make a mess out of the tiniest amount of water. How large is the brooder? What do you have for a floor? How old are the chicks?

 

[pawtraitart]

Any one?

I raise chicks with ducklings all the time. No problem. No water mess. I use a universal Y port (chicks/ducks/quail/poult) drinker. I'll upload a photo later. BYC is having issues with photo uploads right now.

 

[Puddin Fluff]

All are going on two weeks. 16 chicks and two ducklings.

The brooder is a large cardboard box which I plan to expand this weekend with pineshavings. My biggest question is about letting the ducklings get their heads wet without having my chicks drown in a tub of water.

Right now I have a small chick waterer and a 16oz sour cream tub with a hole cut out of the lid for them to stick their heads in. I thought someone might have a better idea.

Thanks.

 

[Puddin Fluff]

I raise chicks with ducklings all the time. No problem. No water mess. I use a universal Y port (chicks/ducks/quail/poult) drinker. I'll upload a photo later. BYC is having issues with photo uploads right now. 

I am curious to see yours. Hope BYC gets their glitches worked out soon.

 

[WhiteLeghorn2]

I am curious to see yours. Hope BYC gets their glitches worked out soon.

I also know nothing about ducks but I am praying that someone will be able to help you! Good luck!

 

[Puddin Fluff]

I also know nothing about ducks but I am praying that someone will be able to help you! Good luck!

Thank you.

 

[pawtraitart]

I have a video of the 1 gallon Y port universal drinker I use. I have a 38oz as well for my brooder totes when they're little.

This type also works for ducks & chicks together when the ducklings have just hatched. I prefer the Y port when the ducklings get older than a couple weeks, though:



This is what I use when they get bigger. The ducks get a bathing pan once a day, but I've raised ducklings with the horizontal nipple only with no bad effects.

 

[Housemom408]

It pretty much a trial and error thing. I did the same thing as you. As they grow I would come up with another sized container. I know not much help. Once you can get them outside it is easier.