Surprise ducks - help

[Aunt Angus]

Providing updates while I sort through everything;

Ducklings will be shipped out this week. I’m not able to cancel or delay due to the timing of it all. It’s warmer today, and this week doesn’t seem too bad temperature wise.

The feed is here. Left it in the packaging for now so that cats won’t chew holes in it.
Going to get some wood pellet bedding. I have flake shavings, but I think I’ll try the pelletized since I’ve seen it recommended a lot.

Bought a backing sheet and cooling rack to go on top. We have some we don’t use somewhere, but I know if I try to use those it’ll cause issues so buying them new works.

Still figuring out the water dish situation.
Non-slip dog bowls seemed promising, if a bit messy. Cutting a hole in an old milk jug or Tupperware bowl could work too, but I always worry about the sharp edges such modifications create.
I’ll try a few things and see what works.

Given the number and how fast they grow. I don’t think my brooder hutch will work too well despite how much I love the thing. (Worked well for raising 24 chicks earlier this year)
Picture here;
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(I love this thing, it’s so pretty and I can keep it inside without worrying about the cats so much. But a wood box base doesn’t mix so well with little water goblins)

So I put an order in for a new kiddie pool. Mine is cracked and I think I’d like a bit more area and depth to work with, but something still easy to move and take down as needed.

This is the one I’m getting;
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Lockways...Large-Kiddie-Pool-for-Dogs-and-Cats/123636492

It’s Due to arrive by Wednesday. I’m hoping it gets here sooner, but I’ll work with what I have until them.

Think we’ll put them in the barn/workshop. We have separate buildings and garage space, just working around what’s been claimed as office space and what I can still use for these little guys until spring.
I usually brood inside the house. But given the timing, it’s for the best they’re not inside given our household. One member is going through surgery in a couple weeks and will need the space while she recovers. So garage or heated workshop they go.

Going to be a weird winter.
I think once they outgrow the brooder plate and kiddie pool, I’ll set up a pen for them in one of the other garages that I can hose out as needed, get them a new more permanent shelter in the spring.


My mom suggested we give the ducklings to our silkies. Pretty sure it was a joke, but I do wonder what that would look like. It’d be possible sure, but in the winter? I don’t think I’d risk it given how little I still know. Plus none of our girls are broody right now anyway (thankfully).

Silkies could totally raise them. Mine can raise anything, I think. They're amazing mamas.

For the sharp edges on DIY waterers, I use a lighter to melt the edges. Just FYI. Dog bowls will def work, but they will be messy!

I'm so excited for you!!!

 

[New duck mommy 2021]

Congrats !!
I just love my ducks
I have had batches of 9 and 11 and did just fine
I use butter containers and cut holes in the lids this way they dunk their heads but can’t jump in and get stuck
I used puppy pads for the first 1-2 weeks as the wood chips can get in their little nose and get stuck ( had this happen to one baby once )
I start to bath mine at day 3. Honestly mom takes them straight to swim after she leaves the nest
I have never had an issue with ducklings not having oil. The first time they swim they start to preen and use the oil gland
I make it deep they can swim but also stand up about 5-10 mins
Then I dry them with paper towels as it absorbs most of the water and put them by the heat and they do the rest
As they grow you can use the bigger containers as well
I used these as I had them here already and didn’t have to buy any
One more tip I keep the feed a few steps away from the water. When doing this I don’t get a big mess of water in my feed

 

[Melontine]

My set up, will edit as needed, but I think we should be all ready for them now.

 

[Summer_]

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I put in an additional heat source because they were trembling and not wanting to be under the plate.

 

[Shabby Chic-Hens]

Thank you
I'll try contacting the hatchery, it was done through tractor supply's website and hoover hatchery. Given it's Thanksgiving day weekend, I'm not sure how much luck I'll have before Monday, and Monday through Wednesday is when it says to expect them to ship out.

I may try the kiddie pool method. I usually go with something else due to the chicks learning to fly so quickly and not wanting the cats to have access. Maybe if I set it up in the garage away from the cats?

I was going to use my brooder plates for their heat.

So water needs are new. Most times it's 'shallow enough that can't down' so 'deep enough to dunk their head in' is a switch. I gotta work tomorrow, I'll see if I can find a suitable bowl for them there.


I was honestly delighted at the idea of ducks when I first saw the purchase there. But realizing that /no one/ had actually planned or prepared for this made it feel much more stressful. So going to be cramming some duck care research over the weekend to prepare.

The duck crumble gets here tomorrow. Should they start on that or a chick starter? I have chick crumble already (late hatching broody's) and that's usually what they give at the store.

Well, I ordered ten chickens from TSC last year, and they shipped out pretty quick ! We ordered them on the 29th of August, and they came on the 2nd of September. You will expect them any day!

 

[bhaugh]

Ducks are only slightly messier as babies than chickens. I strongly recommend using wood pellets for animals as your bedding. I've had many ducklings and raise them inside for a good 3 weeks before placing them outside. Wood pellets are your minds saving Grace. Also recommend getting a glad plastic container and cutting a hole out of the top with something slightly heavy inside with the water to keep the ducklings from being able to tip it over. They will be able to wash their nares and not be able to get in it to try and swim around. Being as you are in a snowy state ( I live in the desert so no snow) I would probably garage them until they feather out. One winter I had ducklings and I used an old plastic dog crate with drilled holes in the top to attach a lamp. It worked quite well and was pretty safe. I would get a large Rubbermaid container from home Depot I think they are gray and cost about $40 that you could put them in. A kid pool will not retain enough heat during the winter to keep them from getting chilly. Ducks grow really fast and will not need the heat lamp as long as chicks do.
When I am raising ducklings inside, I allow them to swim for a couple of minutes every other day until they are old enough to go outside. I have found over the years that the ducklings who were exposed to water sooner have better preening habits and are generally more clean as adults. Start by adding only enough water that they can stand in because ducklings can and do drown when there is too much water and they get too tired. I treat ducklings like babies never leave them alone in case something happens you can scoop them out.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I have a khaki drake and a pekin hen
They are my first ducks and still my extra special ones
My daisy is a bit shy and a little bit of anxiety but such a sweet duck. I can be across the yard and call daisy come see me and she runs as fast as her little legs can go to come see mom
My khaki has little man issues
My smallest drake but most feisty
He loves to challenge the other drakes who are much bigger then him
I’m sure they think what is this little guy doing lol
But he is a very loving boy. He puts daisy on a pedestal
I can cuddle him , take him for car rides and he will always come see me
As your little ones you grow you will get to see all the different personalities come out
I couldn’t imagine life without my ducks
Ps they are addicting as I started with 2 and now have 16

Your drake sounds like quite the character!

 

[New duck mommy 2021]

Your drake sounds like quite the character!

He is a character for sure
His sons are bigger then him and my Swedish boys are even bigger then that
Yet he acts tough but when I’m out with them and they get tired of him they chase him back and he runs and hides behind me lol
It never gets to bad no injuries or anything like that but he lost his top duck throne to his son who has become the top dog
But the way he loves daisy is amazing
She can say no and he will put his head down and leave her be. Not many drakes can do that.

 

[Isadora]

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I put in an additional heat source because they were trembling and not wanting to be under the plate.

Aw, so sweet.

 

[Melontine]

Haven't gotten any delivery info yet. Though it's not set up to be sent to me, all I've got to go on is the order number. Any emails or phone calls would go to someone else and I'm not sure if/when they might pass it back on to me.
The order tracking hasn't moved it off of processing yet. I wonder if there's been a delay or if the website may be slow to update.

Contacted the post office, but I'd have a bit more piece of mind if I had the tracking number to give them too.