*~*Runner Duck Club*~*

[DuckyMom]

Runners are my absolute favorites!! I just thought I would throw in a few pictures of my babies!
Stanley:

Pancake:

Frances:

Pickle:

And of course lots and lots of ducklings!!! (I'll post duckling pictures in another post. I don't want to clog up the thread!)

 

[qwackers]

Go for it, theres not a lot goin on here at the moment.

 

[lgyure85]

So one of my babies died It was the last one in the clutch to hatch (over 36 hours after any of the others) but I don't know what happened! It wasn't very lively from the get-go, but I assumed it was just because he/she had just hatched and was exhausted. The other 5 seem great, and are running around like crazy! They even come to me, and "nest" under my shirt every night

 

[lgyure85]

I love the ones that are white with the black bills! So cute!

 

[lgyure85]

I know it isn't a great video, but this was the day before my little one died. He/she is the little greyish one that's at the top in the beginning (only grey duck with yellow on it's bill). It was acting fine as far as I can now tell, and was eating and everything! When I got home from work Thursday night, it had died and was just lying on it's side. I have no idea what could have happened...thoughts?

 

[qwackers]

Just looked at your video, really sweet duckies. I'm sorry I cant help, I have no idea why that one wouldnt have made it. There was no chance of him drowning in the water or the other treading on it or anything? If it was weaker than the others that may just have been the reason.

Just a note, I have the same drinker as you, it was fine to start with but now they are 4 weeks and the drinker gets knocked over about a million times a day. Maybe mine's jnust rubbish and you'll be lucky!

Really sorry again about your ducky

 

[Davlyn]

I know it isn't a great video, but this was the day before my little one died. He/she is the little greyish one that's at the top in the beginning (only grey duck with yellow on it's bill). It was acting fine as far as I can now tell, and was eating and everything! When I got home from work Thursday night, it had died and was just lying on it's side. I have no idea what could have happened...thoughts?

Love the video

I get my babies on Friday. 3 are mine & 3 for the neighbor girls.. I can hardly wait

. do you have a dry spot on their housing area ( shavings ? ) or is that seperate from their swimming area ?

 

[Davlyn]

My IRD will be coming in on friday ~ I have been thru the thread & also ones on FB. Can they have anything else right off to eat beside the chick starter crumbles ( non medicated ) ? Like cracked corn, greens, veggies ? Whats the best bedding ? I use shavings for my chickens & hay. what age can I put them out ? My chicks will be 3 months old in 4 wks, can the ducklings go out with them or will the chicks pick on them ? Do the ducklings need oyster shells when they are older ? How deep can a pond / pool be ?

Thank you EV1

 

[qwackers]

My IRD  will be coming in on friday ~ I have been thru the thread & also  ones on FB. Can they have anything else right off to eat beside the chick starter crumbles ( non medicated ) ? Like cracked corn, greens, veggies ?  Whats the best bedding ? I use shavings for my chickens & hay.  what age can I put them out ? My chicks will be 3 months old in 4 wks, can the ducklings go out with them  or will the chicks pick on them ?  Do the ducklings need oyster shells when they are older ?  How deep can a pond / pool be ?

Thank you EV1

I gave mine defrosted peas popped as they can grind down the shells to start with. Also ripped up little bits of lettuce, ground up dried mealworms. Bedding I use towels as I didn't want them to eat sawdust. Even now I still use towels as they make such a mess and knock their water over! Did try big shavings but just got soaked! So messy! People say hay isnt so good as it goes mouldy once damp and is bad for them to breathe in the spores. I use large but soft shavings just with a little hay in the nest box. As soon as its warm enough they can have quick supervised visits outside. Making it a little longer each time. Mine are 4 weeks today and are still inside at night as its pretty cold here, also they are only just feathering out. You'll just have to see how it goes with the chicks and them. Oyster shells - if they are free ranging then they will probably find enough grit naturally. One way to tell is when they eventually start laying see how hard the shells are. To start with I put my ducklings in the sink, then the bath, now a paddling pool outside until our pond is finished. It will become more apparent how much water they need to swim in as they grow. They can swim from about day two when the cord is defo dried up in warm water. Getting colder and for a longer time as they get older.

 

[Toast n Jelly]

Quote: You can try setting their water bowl on a baking pan with a rack for cooling cookies. The water that spills out should go through the rack and into the baking pan.