So we have 3 new babies. our first ducks and oh my, I'm already in love with them. So are my kids. Not sure how old (SHOCKED by how clueless Tractor Supply Employees are) guessingg 4-7 days. They are dunking their cute little heads in their water CONSTANTLY! Normal? One got a bit wet on his chest and is preening himself nicely. Do they every sleep? These little guys or gals have been running around peeping (not loudly, but I'll be hearing them in my sleep lol) My kdis LOVE LOVE LOVE themand they are SO calm when they pick them up.
When will I be able to tell male or female? Also, it will be about 75 and sunny tomorrow, can we take them outside?
I'm not going to be much help but wanted to say I just received a couple rouens yesterday myself so I'm interested in the responses you get to this.
Mine do sleep-they all slept pretty much all night(chicks and ducks together). It actually scared me the first time the ducks went to sleep! They just layed down and their necks looked so twisted and unnatural! but they were fine.
Are they warm enough? I found out that if I pick one up and cuddle it and breath on it to keep it warm they tend to nod off pretty quick. Its so sweet!
VERY normal to dunk their heads in water. Here's a suggestion for a duckling waterer: get a Cool Whip (or similar) plastic container, cut a slice out of the lid, put the lid back on, fill it with water, and that will cut down on some of the splashing.
Here's what I did with my ducklings (started with a cottage cheese container, had to move "up" to a Cool Whip tub within a week!):
You probably won't be able to tell their sex until they fully feather, when males get the "drake feather" - that one that curls back, at the base of the tail. Otherwise, females quack and the males are more quiet as they mature. Once they lose their baby peeping/whistling voices.
