Shaws call duck incubation thread (hatch a wonderful(worthless to Ralphie) dux thread)

[Miss Lydia]

Shaw love those pics precious mama and ducklings Congrats!!

 

[duluthralphie]

So if no longer hatching calls are we still hanging out in here? Yes I actually have more questions!

Like how long before letting them be on shavings, I know what works when I'm raising chicks but not certain if they are ready yet.

Also what are their niacin needs like compared to heavy ducks? I'm feeding them a Blue Seal all flock.

I will be here spreading joy to all the DUX lubbers......

Also the main difference in a small call and a large DUX is roasting time. Over roasting a small one will dry out the meat........

 

[duluthralphie]

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Hubby appear semi-handy. I think he would benefit from a week long intensive course in poultry environment repair and maintenance. I bet if he applied he would even get a scholarship.

 

[Fields Mountain Farm]

I might have just set some more geese. Not shipped this time though. Actually washed them Ralphie style. Dux are well.

it's addicting!
Yay for more geese!

So if no longer hatching calls are we still hanging out in here? Yes I actually have more questions!

Like how long before letting them be on shavings, I know what works when I'm raising chicks but not certain if they are ready yet.

Also what are their niacin needs like compared to heavy ducks? I'm feeding them a Blue Seal all flock.

I was only hatching geese on they let me hang out here anyway..
Ask away, I'm not much help with call babies but I'll need to know more too if my 2 hatch..

 

[Ruralhideaway]

it's addicting!
Yay for more geese!

I was only hatching geese on they let me hang out here anyway..
Ask away, I'm not much help with call babies but I'll need to know more too if my 2 hatch..

My shetland geese eggs didn't ship well. Only 2 are growing on day 8 so I needed some backup!

 

[Fields Mountain Farm]

My shetland geese eggs didn't ship well. Only 2 are growing on day 8 so I needed some backup!

Oh no.... that stinks.
Hopefully these new ones will do great!

 

[Ruralhideaway]

Oh no.... that stinks.
Hopefully these new ones will do great!

They aren't well known for fertility either. Ah well. I'm determined to get them a buddy.

Any idea when calls can be expected to be sensible and not eat the bedding?

 

[Fields Mountain Farm]

They aren't well known for fertility either. Ah well. I'm determined to get them a buddy.

Any idea when calls can be expected to be sensible and not eat the bedding?

I'm pulling for ya!

No.. I've never had call babies. I just got my ducks last fall so it's all new to me with them..

 

[WVduckchick]

Dh and I were talking about names the other night and I said I should go with Comet and Cupid

I think once they get their personalities, the names will pop for you. I actually think all of santa's reindeer names would be a cute theme!
(I need 9 names for Lexi's babies!)

The nurture right has a plastic grate but the holes seem fairly large to me Not little squares like the Styrofoam one had. I wondered if the little call duck feet could get stuck in there. I'll probably put the liner in cause of that.

I don't like their grate either. Someone on the NR thread added a piece of poly window screen, said it works well. I think I have a piece, but haven't tried cutting it to fit yet.

I'm curious about the liners.. I know lots of peeps use them. I used them years ago when I hatched at the old house. But didn't start using them again till this year. I'm wondering if they are made of a slightly different material now or maybe thicker..hmmm
Any ideas from yall?

There are different grades and thicknesses. I bought the thinnest one, kinda looks weaved and sorta lacy looking, the "threads" seem closer. I'm going to try the thicker one next time, its small checker-board squares with alternating empty blocks. I think it will allow the humidity to rise better.

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Squeeeeeeee!!! too cute.

Two of the other ducks weren't very nice to the babies. So hubby made a screen door for the duck house so Sofie and babies can stay in the house and everyone can see each other and I can just let them out for some exercise when I can monitor.
Surely in a week or so as fast as they grow they can all be together without issue.

My group has been fine with the babies so far, Lexi puts them in their place. But Jax still chases the older duo, Bianca and Squirt. They hung out with me yesterday, working on my coop addition. And Jax would wait for me to turn my back to chase them. They would always run toward me and I'd cut off his path to them. He got ahold of Squirt once. I'm not sure if he's trying to mate with them or kill them!

 

[shawluvsbirds]

So if no longer hatching calls are we still hanging out in here? Yes I actually have more questions!

Like how long before letting them be on shavings, I know what works when I'm raising chicks but not certain if they are ready yet.

Also what are their niacin needs like compared to heavy ducks? I'm feeding them a Blue Seal all flock.

Well I haven't had too much trouble needing to add niacin I think the feed I have has enough. . it will all depends on what kind of feed you are using.

here is instructions for the liquid kind. Brewers yeast is I believe one tablespoon per cup of feed?
I added niacin for a few days when I saw the ones webs crossing. . but Ravyn said that was just pigeon toe which is common. That's all I know about the niacin

They aren't well known for fertility either. Ah well. I'm determined to get them a buddy.

Any idea when calls can be expected to be sensible and not eat the bedding?

I put mine on shavings after about two days when I see their feet are good and flattened out. They nibble at it and play with it but I don't think they eat it. If they do I haven't seen any problems from it. . unless they just eat a ton of it It should be fine. The ones hatched under mama have been on shavings from the start . . no issues yet.