Raising pekin/Rouen ducklings

[silkiemother]

Okay I am raising ducklings under a hen for the first time and I would like some help and information on this. does anyone have good tips for me?

 

[Timothy Menezes]

Just make sure to feed them duck appropriate food. They need more minerals than chickens do, particularly Niacin. Otherwise they can develop leg and skeletal issues.

Purina all flock works, as well as the lower protien gamebird food. If you wanna use chick starter, just supplement with a vitamin pack that contains Niacin. Metzer Farms sells a vitamin pack $5

Metzer Farms website is a goldmine of good information on raising ducks. Also Dave Holdred is also a great source of information. He wrote “Stories guide to raising ducks” which is an excellent resource that I highly recommend.

 

[silkiemother]

is there anything special I should do for the hen?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Make sure the ducklings can't climb into what ever your giving mama to drink out of. I put on bucket on bricks so mama can drink but ducklings can't get into it. And you can use something like a cool whip container to make a waterer for the ducklings just cut a hole in the top or two holes just large enough for the ducklings to stick their heads into for a drink. I put a rock in the bottom to keep them from tipping it over. Flock raiser or chick starter is fine for mama to eat too just be sure to add something like Nutritional yeast if you use starter. 1 Tab to one cup of feed. Mama might enjoy some dried meal worms to help build her back up it takes a lot out of them to sit and brood and she can teach her ducklings to eat them too.

How about some pics when you can. Congrats!

 

[chickens really]

Under a Chicken or a Duck Hen?

 

[silkiemother]

chicken silkie mom and this is her first brood ever. do you think she will be okay if I go away for a few days and leave her in my brothers' care?

 

[chickens really]

chicken silkie mom and this is her first brood ever. do you think she will be okay if I go away for a few days and leave her in my brothers' care?

Definitely have someone watching them. A Chicken isn't a Duck Momma

 

[silkiemother]

then who should I leaver her with?my dad is making us go somewhere for Christmas and her ducklings are not supposed to hatch until January

 

[chickens really]

then who should I leaver her with?my dad is making us go somewhere for Christmas and her ducklings are not supposed to hatch until January

If still eggs then go....The Hen will hatch them.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Wow a chicken lol. If your brother is familiar with caring for your birds it's probably okay as long as mama silkie is doing her part keeping the little ones warm and safe.