Sneezing or Clearing Nares?

[amandanp]

Yes sometimes they do
If you can see through the Nare then all is okay
I even switched feed twice and used game meat cloth to strain the feed thinking it was that lol
I was like you ( worrying like a crazy mom ) mine are all fine and over a year old
Only one got a piece of the shaving stuck and baths , deep water and avc in the water along with his nares growing it finally came out
So after that I just wait to use shavings ( personal choice )

I am the worst worrier I’ve got two young kiddos, two crazy dogs and these littles so I’m always worried! But I will remember to hold off on shavings next time. I used a few puppy pads under the shavings but I didn’t know just the pads would be ok. I’m really liking these Aspen shavings so far

 

[amandanp]

Ducklings are such great fun! It's amazing how reactive they can be to our presence.

My own brooder is 2'x4' and yes I started a group of ducks in it as well.

I would say that as long as the section of the coop you give them has no area they could become trapped behind or in that would be a great option. Their need for added heat will decrease rapidly too so having a warming area and plenty of area away from the heat is great for them.

Totally off topic but great information...You may already know but sharing in case you don't or for future readers.
Ducklings need more niacin than chick starter has for proper growth and to prevent lameness. A super easy way to prevent issues is to add nutritional yeast to their feed. The link below has really good information on it.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/nutritional-yeast-vs-brewers-yeast.1393856/

Our coop is just a square room so there are no hiding spots. How old are yours when you typically move them out of the brooding box?

The feed store owner here makes his own feed with a niacin supplement so that was part of why I went with his feed.

Also, they are on starter feed but in one of my books it says to change their protein levels to 16-18% at 2 weeks. Is that a typical change? This feed is 20%. I’ve read too much protein isn’t good for them when I’m the growing phase.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I didn't lower mines protein level ever. As adults they got all flock which is 20% protein too.

Mine were spring ducks so we're in the coop at just 4 weeks old with a lamp to keep a warming space. I raised chicks in a barn in January with no issues.

 

[amandanp]

I didn't lower mines protein level ever. As adults they got all flock which is 20% protein too.

Mine were spring ducks so we're in the coop at just 4 weeks old with a lamp to keep a warming space. I raised chicks in a barn in January with no issues.

Did you change feed for your layers?

And our indoor coop is built into the back corner of our barn so it has the insulated barn walls on two sides and two interior walls that we are going to insulate. At 4 weeks they should be requiring less heat so as long as I keep the coop ambient air temp higher the heat lamp should work for a nice warm spot to retreat to

 

[DuckyDonna]

You do know NOT to use cedar shavings right?

 

[amandanp]

You do know NOT to use cedar shavings right?

The original bag I purchased just said wood shavings so I'm not sure what all was in it, but it was very dusty. I have switched them to larger Aspen shavings.

 

[New duck mommy 2021]

Our coop is just a square room so there are no hiding spots. How old are yours when you typically move them out of the brooding box?

The feed store owner here makes his own feed with a niacin supplement so that was part of why I went with his feed.

Also, they are on starter feed but in one of my books it says to change their protein levels to 16-18% at 2 weeks. Is that a typical change? This feed is 20%. I’ve read too much protein isn’t good for them when I’m the growing phase.

I start the switch from starter to grower at 2weeks I do 3/4 to 1/4 for 3 days then 1/2 -1/2 3 days then 1/4 - 3/4 for 3 days then full grower
I knock on wood have not had a little one have any issues doing it this way
But when I got my first 3 ducks o didn’t know and my khaki drake got angel wing the vet told me it was the high protein that caused it
Since then I switched and no issues
He has been dad to over 50 babies and none have ever got angel wing so it’s not in the genes
Puppy pads are safe until they start to chew them that’s when I stop using them
I used a smsll pet fencing as my brooder and as they grew I added for panels for room
I didn’t move mine out till they were a few months
Depending on size of your brooder will depend on how fast you move them so they have space
Also I start mine bathing at 3 days
Warm water and deep enough they can swim but can also stand up
About 5-10 mins
Then I dry them with paper towel ( it absorbs really good ) then put them by the heat. Mine all start to preen and use the oil gland right away
By day 5 they dive underwater
They just love bath time
Just never leave them unattended when little
I started with 3 ducks ( 2 pekin and 1 khaki ) my one pekin died at 5 months after digging up a penny
I rushed her to the vet when she couldn’t walk but we were to late and she died there
We had an autopsy done
Since then I have not lost a bird ( thankfully )
I hatched 5 last December and then lots in the spring and summer along with adding some Swedish to my crew
I now have 16 ranging from 1.5 years to 6 months ago

 

[amandanp]

I start the switch from starter to grower at 2weeks I do 3/4 to 1/4 for 3 days then 1/2 -1/2 3 days then 1/4 - 3/4 for 3 days then full grower
I knock on wood have not had a little one have any issues doing it this way
But when I got my first 3 ducks o didn’t know and my khaki drake got angel wing the vet told me it was the high protein that caused it
Since then I switched and no issues
He has been dad to over 50 babies and none have ever got angel wing so it’s not in the genes
Puppy pads are safe until they start to chew them that’s when I stop using them
I used a smsll pet fencing as my brooder and as they grew I added for panels for room
I didn’t move mine out till they were a few months
Depending on size of your brooder will depend on how fast you move them so they have space
Also I start mine bathing at 3 days
Warm water and deep enough they can swim but can also stand up
About 5-10 mins
Then I dry them with paper towel ( it absorbs really good ) then put them by the heat. Mine all start to preen and use the oil gland right away
By day 5 they dive underwater
They just love bath time
Just never leave them unattended when little
I started with 3 ducks ( 2 pekin and 1 khaki ) my one pekin died at 5 months after digging up a penny
I rushed her to the vet when she couldn’t walk but we were to late and she died there
We had an autopsy done
Since then I have not lost a bird ( thankfully )
I hatched 5 last December and then lots in the spring and summer along with adding some Swedish to my crew
I now have 16 ranging from 1.5 years to 6 months ago

Thank you for all of that helpful info! Mine will be two weeks next Monday so I will work on getting that grower feed here soon. Do you leave them on grower until they are going to start laying?

Your babies are so cute!! What breeds do you have in there? I see one that looks like my buff babies

 

[21hens-incharge]

I fed mine all flock with oyster shell on the side.

 

[New duck mommy 2021]

Thank you for all of that helpful info! Mine will be two weeks next Monday so I will work on getting that grower feed here soon. Do you leave them on grower until they are going to start laying?

Your babies are so cute!! What breeds do you have in there? I see one that looks like my buff babies

Thank you
I have left mine on grower as I have drakes and don’t want to over calcium on the drakes.
I add crushed oyster shells in a side dish they have at all times
I started with pekin and khaki
I hatched 5 of their offspring
Then I added some Swedish ( blue , silver and one rare buff )
One of my first offspring got mom in the summer and I didn’t know but when I hatched that batch I ended up with white babies as well as one black that has green tinge on her head and slightly in her feathers ( named her emerald ) she is the only black one I have ever got
Those ones in the pool were a mix of my pekin x khaki and Swedish
This is my buff Swedish
Her mom was blue and dad was silver. The lady I got her from doesn’t own any buff so not even a cross breed. But one of her blue moms was carrying the buff gene
She looks fully Swedish size and shape including laying eggs with the greenish / blue tinge to the eggs
But her buff colour is not what you see often
My silver also lays eggs with the greenish / blue tinge
My husky guards her ducks all day