The Duck Thread

[kelseysfowl]

I think its plenty of time, maybe they are afraid of change and wont lay because of the new surroundings.Have they always been around chickens? My best friend had chickens and ducks and guinea fowl and the chickens were afraid of the guineas and stopped laying so she separated them, i dont know if its the same with ducks though sorry.

 

[DenverDucky]

Sorry about the multi quoting.lol.
My ducks are POL and I got them at POL, Ive had them for about 3-4 months now, I fully know if i wanted pet ducks I would have to get ducklings, but could they at least come up to me As Lydia said when you are digging in the pen or putting feed out, the closest they come is about 1 meter away and that's when they are running past me, so i cant get treats to them and the chickens are in there before the ducks can even see the treats.
I think I just want them to at least lay again, 1 did lay every morning for about 1 week when i first got them then we moved the pen and Ive had them in the new run and coop for about 1 month. All my chickens are laying. The set up for the ducks isn't the best as they wont go into the nesting sheds where their nest is in the day. They do sleep in the nesting shed ( away from the chickens ) and can lay in their nest ( which is on the ground ) until they are let out at 6:30am, is this plenty of time or do i have to teach them to go into the nest sheds in the day, like around 8:00 am???

Giving treats should start out slowly. Try tossing them some every day for a week. Then gradually toss them closer to you as you gain their trust. Good luck

 

[zbraswell92]

These are my 2 new mallard ducklings that I bought at our local T.S.C., yesterday.
They are named Pipp and Squeek.
Now all I'll have to say is, 'Pipsqueek come here!'

 

[DenverDucky]

These are my 2 new mallard ducklings that I bought at our local T.S.C., yesterday.
They are named Pipp and Squeek.
Now all I'll have to say is, 'Pipsqueek come here!'

They are so cute

 

[zbraswell92]

Sorry about the multi quoting.lol.
My ducks are POL and I got them at POL, Ive had them for about 3-4 months now, I fully know if i wanted pet ducks I would have to get ducklings, but could they at least come up to me As Lydia said when you are digging in the pen or putting feed out, the closest they come is about 1 meter away and that's when they are running past me, so i cant get treats to them and the chickens are in there before the ducks can even see the treats.
I think I just want them to at least lay again, 1 did lay every morning for about 1 week when i first got them then we moved the pen and Ive had them in the new run and coop for about 1 month. All my chickens are laying. The set up for the ducks isn't the best as they wont go into the nesting sheds where their nest is in the day. They do sleep in the nesting shed ( away from the chickens ) and can lay in their nest ( which is on the ground ) until they are let out at 6:30am, is this plenty of time or do i have to teach them to go into the nest sheds in the day, like around 8:00 am???

You should dig up some earth worms or buy some live meal worms. If you toss them to the ducks they'll gobble them down like there's no tomorrow!
Then, you can put them in your hand so the ducks can SEE the worms moving around in your palm. This should hopefully draw them nearer.

 

[zbraswell92]

They are so cute

Thanx. I've heard that baby mallards can be pretty shy, but Pip & Squeek will follow me and my brother around through the house. They won't eat from our hands though. Weird, right? We cradle them and pet them, but they like to feed themselves.
They do 'freak' when they see the cats, though. LOL I guess that's just their natural 'prey animal' instinct.

 

[cluckcluckluke]

You should dig up some earth worms or buy some live meal worms. If you toss them to the ducks they'll gobble them down like there's no tomorrow!
Then, you can put them in your hand so the ducks can SEE the worms moving around in your palm. This should hopefully draw them nearer.

Giving treats should start out slowly. Try tossing them some every day for a week. Then gradually toss them closer to you as you gain their trust. Good luck

Thanks. I have 2 Tub filled with live meal worms, so looks like the ducks are going to have a fun time eating them. I will have to just keep persevering.
If anything my chickens are the ones who are scared of my ducks, they always moves out of the ducks way when they walk past the girls and the ducks have no problem in coming to their feeder and pushing all the chickens out of their road.

 

[chicknfun]

I am short on time, and on my way to feed store. decided to get 2 ducklings if they still have them-
can someone answer quick-
can they eat chick food?
what temp do they need till feathered out?
basically, do I treat a baby duck the same as a chick ?

 

[Amiga]

Yes but they will need extra niacin you can get that over the next few days

90F first week, dropping about 5 degrees a week, make sure there is a cooler spot in the brooder if they want to move away from heat

Not the exact same as a chick, water is a more involved component but does not have to be a show-stopper. A chick waterer is good but the duckling will need to be able to wash its head, we can fill you in on the details you can make a head washer for free.

 

[chicknfun]

TY TY TY- I got all the way to the feed store and found out all the ducks they had were ordered by someone else

BUT, I can order just a couple !!
anyway, Thanks again- that was pretty quick reply!!
Wendi