The Duck Thread

[gander007]

Any pekin duck advice?

Have a yard where they are comfortable and at ease

Water to play in and enough feed to keep them happy and fat

Enjoy them and be happy

 

[PotatoWaffles]

Be watchful for leg issues. Pekins are prone to them because of their heavy build and fast growth. Keep an eye out for ducks laying down more than usual.

Never expect your pretty white duck to be pretty and white lol. And be prepared for some mega sassy personality!

 

[hannandrews]

Be watchful for leg issues. Pekins are prone to them because of their heavy build and fast growth. Keep an eye out for ducks laying down more than usual.

Never expect your pretty white duck to be pretty and white lol. And be prepared for some mega sassy personality!

How much laying down is too much??

 

[PotatoWaffles]

It's hard to say, really. What I would watch for is them walking a little ways and then laying down, walking a little more and then laying down. Pretty much laying down any time they don't absolutely have to walk. It's a sign of leg or foot issues. I had a pekin with horribly crooked pigeon toed legs, and she was laying down every chance she could get. She was never in any pain, it's just the way she developed. But walking was a substantial effort for her. Once you get to know your ducks and their normal behavior, it will be easier to spot anything out of the ordinary.

 

[PotatoWaffles]

Chicks and ducklings had their first glimpse of sunlight yesterday. They were not thrilled. Maybe they'll be happier to explore today, lol.

Scaredy cats!

Biff was giving me the evil eye while she eyed the chicks.

Potato felt like being a jerks to Jeepers and Tate. They really like this feed trough shelter we recently put out there. We didn't have a place to put the brooder so we thought, why not out with the ducks?

 

[iluvsedward]

Hey guys, me again. So i ended up getting 2 runner ducklings and a rouen, which i am happy with. But thats not why Im here. My dads friend has a charter boat... anyway long story short, a female made her nest on the boat and since the man will be using it soon, we knew that the mom would abandon her nest and i was somewhat forced to inherit the eggs. So now i have 10 mallard eggs in my hova. Dont bother telling me i shouldnt have, i didnt want to upset them, but i didnt have much choice. I cant believe this happened to me right after i bought ducklings hahah

Are they in a incubator or under a hen? 

They are in my incubator and were cold when we got them. I candled them to see how far along they were, and theyre very fresh. Id say maybe two days. Or it's possible she didn't start sitting yet. I was a little bummed, cause now i have to wait the whole month. Oh well, im excited!

 

[ToriHenning1234]

sorry for the mess. My ducklings decided to take a mud bath.

I have am question about my little guys legs. (Pic is above) I think he might be developing a niacin deficiency. Does it look like it? I don't really know what to look for

 

[Ren2014]

I have been keeping humidity at 65-85% percent. We did candle some of them again and did not see any movement in any of te eggs. Did water candling and none of them sank or floated too high.

Seeing no movement is to be expected when they are this far along and taking up all of the egg. Unless it's in the air cell of course. Did you candle for internal pips? Look for shadows in the air cells.

Chicks and ducklings had their first glimpse of sunlight yesterday. They were not thrilled. Maybe they'll be happier to explore today, lol.


Scaredy cats!


Biff was giving me the evil eye while she eyed the chicks.


Potato felt like being a jerks to Jeepers and Tate. They really like this feed trough shelter we recently put out there. We didn't have a place to put the brooder so we thought, why not out with the ducks?

Precious! In addition to the new surroundings, they might be scared of the big bad shadow of the camera man, lol.

sorry for the mess. My ducklings decided to take a mud bath.

I have am question about my little guys legs. (Pic is above) I think he might be developing a niacin deficiency. Does it look like it? I don't really know what to look for

I will leave the answer to the experts here but is he walking normal?

 

[raemcwi]

No shadows in the air cell. I really don't think any of them made it. The incubator seems like it isn't maintaining things properly. :/ How long past 28 days should we try keeping them?

Thanks!

 

[Ren2014]

No shadows in the air cell. I really don't think any of them made it. The incubator seems like it isn't maintaining things properly. :/ How long past 28 days should we try keeping them?

Thanks!

Did they wobble during the float tests?