Some questions from a new duck mum

[Tegan26]

Hi there,

Last week we brought home two pekin ducklings and they seem to be doing okay but I was unsure about a few things. One of them is coming up to two weeks old (on monday) while the other is coming up to four weeks old. They came as a pair and I didn't think much of that until I started to really understand their differing needs. If it's okay I might just list my questions to make it easier:

1. The little one tends to go wherever the big one is, however I worry that it gets cold as the big one tends to avoid the heat lamp. They both seem to shake/shiver but never move closer. Is this a big problem and any solutions? Could the shivering/shaking be something else? nutrient deficiency?

2. I am feeding them unmedicated chick starter with brewers yeast added. I purchased the food on the advice of the feed store retailer but when I started to learn more I went back in to ask about whether it contained grit, what percentage of protein etc and he couldn't tell me the protein percentage and said 'i think something like 28%' - From what I'm learning this is very high but there is no way to tell as it came from a drum not a labeled bag. I'm also learning that as they are different ages they may require different protein %'s.

3. I just noticed this evening the chick starter feed has weevils (black looking insects) in it. Should I throw this out? I suppose this ties in with the previous question but what can anyone suggest I get to feed my two different aged ducklings? I am in Australia I don't know if there are any types of brands one can suggest?

4. The older duckling has had very squirty runny poo's for the past few days. The duckling seems otherwise healthy, alert and growing normally. They seem to drink an enormous amount of water especially the bigger one. Is this just because of the water consumption, could it be the food or something more sinister- do duckling get parasites?

5. Up until today I haven't fed them any treats but today gave them a small amount of oats and mashed strawberry in a water dish which they loved. Is this ok or is the little one too young?

6. The bigger one has just started making a new noise for the past day or two. Still the little cheeping with a bit of a honking noise occasionally - is this signs it might be a girl or is this something to be concerned about?

7. Am I able to take them both outside to the grass under my strict supervision. Will the little one get sick if it eats any greens at this young age?

Thank you for any advice

 

[Fishsticks06]

Hi there,

Last week we brought home two pekin ducklings and they seem to be doing okay but I was unsure about a few things. One of them is coming up to two weeks old (on monday) while the other is coming up to four weeks old. They came as a pair and I didn't think much of that until I started to really understand their differing needs. If it's okay I might just list my questions to make it easier:

1. The little one tends to go wherever the big one is, however I worry that it gets cold as the big one tends to avoid the heat lamp. They both seem to shake/shiver but never move closer. Is this a big problem and any solutions? Could the shivering/shaking be something else? nutrient deficiency?

2. I am feeding them unmedicated chick starter with brewers yeast added. I purchased the food on the advice of the feed store retailer but when I started to learn more I went back in to ask about whether it contained grit, what percentage of protein etc and he couldn't tell me the protein percentage and said 'i think something like 28%' - From what I'm learning this is very high but there is no way to tell as it came from a drum not a labeled bag. I'm also learning that as they are different ages they may require different protein %'s.

3. I just noticed this evening the chick starter feed has weevils (black looking insects) in it. Should I throw this out? I suppose this ties in with the previous question but what can anyone suggest I get to feed my two different aged ducklings? I am in Australia I don't know if there are any types of brands one can suggest?

4. The older duckling has had very squirty runny poo's for the past few days. The duckling seems otherwise healthy, alert and growing normally. They seem to drink an enormous amount of water especially the bigger one. Is this just because of the water consumption, could it be the food or something more sinister- do duckling get parasites?

5. Up until today I haven't fed them any treats but today gave them a small amount of oats and mashed strawberry in a water dish which they loved. Is this ok or is the little one too young?

6. The bigger one has just started making a new noise for the past day or two. Still the little cheeping with a bit of a honking noise occasionally - is this signs it might be a girl or is this something to be concerned about?

7. Am I able to take them both outside to the grass under my strict supervision. Will the little one get sick if it eats any greens at this young age?

Thank you for any advice

Welcome to BYC, I’m glad you joined. Well I will answer some questions if I can, but don’t get mad at me if I’m wrong.

1. If they ducklings can find heat underneath the larger duckling, they should all be fine. The shivering and shaking seems odd, I don’t know anything about that. You can’t look through our forums for raising ducks, plenty of information anyone could require.

3. Sure, leave the weevils in. Ducks love insects. I can’t recommend you any feed unfortunately, but I hope someone else can.

5. Treats are perfectly fine, duck and ducklings alike.

6. Slight honking is a sign of a female.

7. You can let your ducklings free range, no the ducklings won’t get sick if they eat anything green. They just won’t consume as much grass.

I hope you enjoy the flock, best wishes to the little ducklings!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Welcome to BYC @Tegan26 I’ll address 2 issues first one is Pekins grow super fast and need more than what they get through Brewers yeast in the b vitamins I’d suggest you go to TSC or local feed store and pick up liquid BComplex in the cattle dept and it will say injectable but peel off the foil and draw out 1 ml for each duckling if they like strawberries mix the liquid into that or smashed peas or dried meal worms but it’s best to give it orally so they get full dose it’s okay if one gets a little more what they don’t need they will pee out. But the shaking can be a sign of a niacin deficiency. And chick starter does have near the niacin or b vitamins our water fowl need so we supplement. What are your temps where your keeping them? Can you post a pic of your set up? Also ducks drink so much water they just have runny poo and most of the time it means nothing if you want to try a different feed go with an all flock you’ll see the pic of all poultry including ducks on the front. It also comes in crumble. If your hearing some honking then I’d say you have a female. And yes take them outside fresh air and some exercise and munching is great for them. They can also have bath time nice warm water to play in another way to strengthen those legs start out where they can stand in the water then as they get use to it over a few days make it deeper they will have a blast. Then place them back in their brooder to continue to dry. You can pat them dry too before putting them back in their brooder. And of course post pics we love Pics!

 

[DuckyDonna]

Hi, welcome to BYC! I see you're in Australia so you won't have Tractor Supply there. It's our US farm/feed and all things animal store. I will post the picture of the B-complex which I feel is a "must have" for duck people. It says injectable but we give it orally or over some treat that they love like tomatoes or meal worms. Something you know they will gobble right up. 1ml a day will be good to start. Don't worry about overdoseing because what their little bodies don't need they'll just pee it right out.

Maybe from this picture, you'll be able to find something comparable where you are. The 2 bottles are the same, the labels just got a new design.

 

[Tegan26]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I haven’t been able to find a b-complex supplement as yet at our local places. I’ll phone around today to see if anyone further away has it. Is there any alternative to this? Human grade b vitamins into their water maybe? I won’t do anything until I receive advice.

I noticed that the little one sometimes yawns and stumbles or flaps it’s little wings and gets a little wobbly on its legs. I am concerned that these are more signs of deficiency.

I am worried about angel wing as well, there is no real way to tell what % of protein is in this food I have but went to a different the feed store to get a lower % and they had 20% but it is medicated and I’ve read numerous times this is a big no no.

The only other feed they had was 28% which is basically what I think I already have. Should I add some oats to the feed to cut down on protein?

It’s hard being two different ages to know what is a good ratio for both of them as they fret when they are apart so feeding separately seems unlikely.

I just want them to be healthy, we are already so in love with our new family members!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Human b complex tablet crushed and mixed into feed or chopped tomatoes or smashed peas just so it get the full dose.

 

[Tegan26]

Human b complex tablet crushed and mixed into feed or chopped tomatoes or smashed peas just so it get the full dose.

Thank you!! I thankfully have some at home here so can get onto it today

 

[Miss Lydia]

Yes you can add oats to lower the protein just get reg oats not instant or quick cooking.

 

[Tegan26]

Okay thank you- just out of curiosity what is the difference between those? I have both regular rolled oats and quick oats. I gave them a treat of quick oats today as I thought it was just normal rolled oats but just cut finer which I thought would be easier for the little one to eat. Sorry and thanks for your patience!!

 

[Tegan26]

This is what we have already at home. I will go and buy something else if this is not suitable as I see it contains lot of other things as well that might not be suitable for them?