Thread formerly known as Hatch day is today

[Goin Quackrrs]

No incubator for me but a few broodies on dummy eggs. However all the feed stores got baby fowl this week. Will power fading....XD

Stock up on feed and don't go back until you have fuzzy butts hatching. 7 more days until Del's gets their ducklings in... and they're getting runners. I'm hatching runners. If something goes bad, I can buy some, but I was going to take "pick of the litter" and then sell the others to a friend.

Friend lost her runners to a predator recently. I'm going to insist on checking out her place before I let duckies go home with her. I'd hate to have spent all this time on sacrificial ducklings.

 

[QuackerJackFarms]

Hey Wulf!
Bakin: they are precious. And you must keep them because now you are emotionally connected. that's how I still have Beaker and Bunsen.

 

[Marty1876]

QJ - its dreadfull how many carnivores think of innocent little ducks as a snack food.

 

[Goin Quackrrs]

So 5 have hatched

& are doing great

I have 5 White Pipping

I have 4 Blue Pipping

& ALL 10 have internally pipped !!!

Sorry for my enthusiam BUT I have been waiting a long time on these duckies to hatch

I'm so amazed that the 7 day difference seems like eternity. I'm locking down my chicken eggs tonight and it feels too soon. But it seems like forever since I set those duck eggs (at the same time).

 

[Goin Quackrrs]

I had a pair of broodies, so the eggs and chicks were shared by a silkie and a buff orp. They made great mommies.

I've got a Buff Orp waiting at the farm to foster my chicks once they hatch.

I asked last night, but that was 400-some pages ago now:
Has anyone had luck slipping new chicks under a broody? I'm going to have to explore the chicken forum and try to find an answer if nobody here has good advice.

In order to keep the littles Certified Organic, they need to be returned to the farm within 48 hours of hatch.

 

[JulieNKC]

Marty- Privett has magpies so you should be able to order them through tsc.

Ducklings can eat medicated feed. Older feed used to be made with an antibiotic they could overdose on, but 95% of newer medicated feed is safe for ducklings. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/587261/can-ducklings-eat-medicated-chick-starter-feed
http://metzerfarms.blogspot.com/2011/11/can-medicated-feed-be-used-for.html

I used medicated chick starter with my first ducklings. I now use non medicated gamebird starter, but only because it has niacin and I have to have it for my quail anyway, so everyone gets it.

 

[Goin Quackrrs]

Yes, they don't have to have medicated food; Id just keep an eye incase of mischief. The chicken may not be as sweet to your other babies - you might say they can be a real pecker.....

Pecker! Ha!

Who's easily amused? Me of course!

 

[QuackerJackFarms]

ATTENTION!!

OPERATION "Little White Lie" is in FULL FORCE.

​

Hubby: (looking in bator)... "Is this the new chicken?"
Me: "Yes.. (nervous twitching.. get away from the bator.. Oh geez.. he's gonna see.)
Hubby: (puzzled look) "Are those Duck eggs?"
Me: "Yes."
Hubby: "Those are freakin' HUGE!!"
Me: "Mmmm Hmmmm"... (change of subject).

 

[country_girl011]

ATTENTION!!

OPERATION "Little White Lie" is in FULL FORCE.

​

Hubby: (looking in bator)... "Is this the new chicken?"
Me: "Yes.. (nervous twitching.. get away from the bator.. Oh geez.. he's gonna see.)
Hubby: (puzzled look) "Are those Duck eggs?"
Me: "Yes."
Hubby: "Those are freakin' HUGE!!"
Me: "Mmmm Hmmmm"... (change of subject).

oh lord .
i may just pee my pants from laughing so hard.

 

[Marty1876]

GC - Yes, this works if shes allready on eggs, or dummy eggs. You can try it, w/o though. Do it at night. Just go slip those babies under her. She'll think they are hers!

I've got a Buff Orp waiting at the farm to foster my chicks once they hatch.

I asked last night, but that was 400-some pages ago now:
Has anyone had luck slipping new chicks under a broody? I'm going to have to explore the chicken forum and try to find an answer if nobody here has good advice.

In order to keep the littles Certified Organic, they need to be returned to the farm within 48 hours of hatch.