Switching grit

[percyj]

At what age should you switch ducklings from chick grit to poultry grit???

 

[percyj]

Bcuz I'm pretty sure it's 6-8 wks, but…don't wanna hurt the wittle babies rite?! Lol

 

[katharinad]

I always offered builder's sand from the hardware store. It's way cheaper and works just fine. Right now they are free ranging so I don't offer any.

 

[percyj]

Even as ducklings?

 

[katharinad]

The builders sand is not coarse at all. It is a fine sand like you would find in a toddlers sandbox. I gave it to my babies when they were 3 days old on the side. They were taking small amounts daily. I stopped giving it when they were over 2 weeks old, because they were outside everyday eating dirt and mud. So right now they are not getting any. In fall I will buy the coarse sand. They come in 10 pound bags are really cheap.

 

[percyj]

At what age can you move them out during the day? I live in Chicago. When I get them, it will probably be spring-ish right now I'm taking care of a wild gosling with a twisted leg.

 

[katharinad]

It all depends on the ducks and the weather. Mine were off their heat lamp when they were 2 weeks old, living in my warm kitchen. I put them outside at that age too. That was when the temps were above 70 and only for a few hours. At 2.5 week I moved them into the duck house with heater on at night and dog door open all day. Again this was pending on outside temps.