The Basics?

[ElioraImmanuel]

My kids want ducks. We'll be a zoo, soon.

I'm thinking Cayuga's. Care to share any info?

Where do I go to find the basics?

Do I need to get them in pairs? Or can I have 4 hens and 1 drake?

What do they eat?

Will they routinely hatch out their ducklings? What about nests? We use milk crates for the chickens.

I will be using a big, claw foot tub as their "pond", they'll be foraging, too. I'm told they can be housed w/chickens, but what about roosters?

Thanks for all input!

 

[DuckLover179]

Cayugas are great ducks! I have Pekins, but I know plenty of people with Cayugas, and they all love them! Best place (unless you want show quality) to order them is: www.metzerfarms.com They do ship Cayugas. I got my Pekins from them

You can find the basics here! I'll give you some common question answers:
You can give them a bath as soon as they arrive, but it should only last a few minutes, and then they should be towel dried.
You can feed them Purina flock raiser, when they are laying, they get Purina Layena.
You can house them with chickens
Don't use newspaper as the bedding
They need niacin, to prevent spraddle leg
You need to imrpint on them, so they will be friendly
You can move them outside around 4-6 weeks
They're awesome!

4 hens and 1 drake is awesome! It's the perfect ratio to prevent over mating!

They will make their own nest out of straw. If they are laying, then yes, they will hatch out their ducklings.
From what I know, they should be fine with roosters.

Also, go here for a list of treats: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=242460

Hope that helps!

 

[ElioraImmanuel]

Wow! Thanks!

Where do I find out about niacin dosage, how to imprint, what temp to keep the chicks at, etc?

 

[DuckLover179]

You can get 100mg niacin pills at walgreens (Or you can do what I did, and order "Poult Pak" from metzer farms), and put the pill in their water. You could also crush the pill, and sprinkle it on their food. The first week keep the temps at 90 degrees, and lower it 5 degrees each week. They will not need their lamp at 4 weeks. Imprinting is very simple, all you have to do is spend a LOT of time with them, holding them, cuddling them, etc. This will make them adapt to human company, and make them VERY nice when they are adults.

Hope that helps!

 

[MissusDee]

Before you get your ducks, you should get a good book (I like the Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks) as well as reading as much as you can here. Have fun!