surprise ducks help

[SolarDuck]

Just get a decent sized coop for them, and either build them a run or just let them free range during the day. Depending on your property size and the type of ducks you might end up needing to clip their wings. Its important for them to have either a duck specific feed or a good flock raiser but most regular chicken feeds aren't ideal. Purina duck pellets are what I use and they're only $17 for a 50lb bag at tractor supply. Its very important that you get them a kiddie pool or some similar swimming vessel to splash around in and clean themselves. Its generally a good idea to do research before acquiring the animals but ducks aren't too hard. Its important to make sure they have soft bedding in their coop most people use pine shavings and/or straw if you live somewhere cold use a lot of straw. Its important for them to have greens in their diet, generally if they free range they will just eat weeds or grass and that will suffice, but if you don't have a lot of greens for them to eat you'll want to provide them with some. The more time you spend with them as ducklings the friendlier they will be with you as adults. They all have different personalities but in general are very happy birds that are a blast to have around!

Also predators will love to eat your ducks so make sure that whatever you set up for them is completely secure at night.

 

[african chickens]

Just get a decent sized coop for them, and either build them a run or just let them free range during the day. Depending on your property size and the type of ducks you might end up needing to clip their wings. Its important for them to have either a duck specific feed or a good flock raiser but most regular chicken feeds aren't ideal. Purina duck pellets are what I use and they're only $17 for a 50lb bag at tractor supply. Its very important that you get them a kiddie pool or some similar swimming vessel to splash around in and clean themselves. Its generally a good idea to do research before acquiring the animals but ducks aren't too hard. Its important to make sure they have soft bedding in their coop most people use pine shavings and/or straw if you live somewhere cold use a lot of straw. Its important for them to have greens in their diet, generally if they free range they will just eat weeds or grass and that will suffice, but if you don't have a lot of greens for them to eat you'll want to provide them with some. The more time you spend with them as ducklings the friendlier they will be with you as adults. They all have different personalities but in general are very happy birds that are a blast to have around!

Also predators will love to eat your ducks so make sure that whatever you set up for them is completely secure at night.

thank you I'm keeping an eye out for a big dog kennel

 

[Isaac 0]

Good advice by @HuffleClaw , and @SolarDuck .

The BYC duck stickies are a great source for any duck-related information.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/ducks-sticky-topics-index.256233/

Due to their heavyweight Pekins are increasingly predisposed to developing leg related problems. Ensuring they are on a diet formulated for all poultry, or for waterfowl specifically is important, as well as focusing on providing soft housing substrate.

 

[HuffleClaw]

No offense, but Tractor Supply is about the most expensive store to buy feed from. If I were you, I would try to find a local feed & seed, and see what they have there. Of course, TSC is absolutely fine if you can’t find another option.

 

[SolarDuck]

My TSC is wayyy cheaper than my local feed stores, especially when I do an online order and apply coupon codes its pretty much always 10-20% off

 

[HuffleClaw]

Good advice by @HuffleClaw , and @SolarDuck .

The BYC duck stickies are a great source for any duck-related information.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/ducks-sticky-topics-index.256233/

Due to their heavyweight Pekins are increasingly predisposed to developing leg related problems. Ensuring they are on a diet formulated for all poultry, or for waterfowl specifically is important, as well as focusing on providing soft housing substrate.

I missed that they were pekins. I absolutely agree, they will definitely need room to stretch those legs and soft bedding of some sort. A kiddie pool for them would also be great.

 

[HuffleClaw]

My TSC is wayyy cheaper than my local feed stores, especially when I do an online order and apply coupon codes its pretty much always 10-20% off

Huh, neat. My TSC charges about $17.50 for a 40lb bag, when I can get it at my local feed & seed for 12 bucks or less for a 50lb bag. Guess it varies!

 

[HuffleClaw]

I normally get 4, 50lb bags of feed at our local feed& seed, and the bill total comes right out as $48.50. Ever since I figured that out, I haven’t bought feed at TSC since. Just because it’s cheaper for me.

 

[des7598]

I keep my ducks in my chicken coop. I make sure they have cover so they don't get pooped on. I use kiddie pools for their swimming. Use duck feed (has the niacin they need) , since you have females, you will also want to use a layer feed. Since I have ducks, geese, guineas, turkeys and a variety of chickens, I mix all my feed I also include mix flock and cracked corn, as I have no way to feed them separately. Be consistent and lock them up at dark and you can train them so they will go in easily. I do not put food as they need water when they eat, and they are very messy with water. I agree with everyone else, do some reading up on how to care for ducks. also learn what kind of predators you may have in your area so you can protect against them... racoons, opossums, weasels/minks, hawks/birds of pray if they are little. Best of luck.

 

[SolarDuck]

Huh, neat. My TSC charges about $17.50 for a 40lb bag, when I can get it at my local feed & seed for 12 bucks or less for a 50lb bag. Guess it varies!

Dang that's a really good price, my local feed store sells the same bag I buy for 17 at tsc for $25, but I still end up going there sometimes because it is soo much closer to me than rhe tsc