Today’s the day, maybe...

[Melodychick]

My ducklings were due to come into the feed store at the end of May, so while I was reading and prepping, I wasn’t rushing. Well, I went in the store yesterday for horse feed and was told they would be here today! Now I am rushing, trying to get the brooder set up. I’ve used the MHP for my chicks and read that others have used it for ducklings, but is their anything different I need to do? It’s warm here, so I don’t know how much or how long they’ll even need it. I know they need a little deeper water to dip their bills in, but can they use a regular chick waterer for the first few days? Any other suggestions? I’ve been reading about housing, feeding, ponds and illness, but have neglected my brooder education! Thanks!

 

[chickens really]

I make these water containers

 

[Miss Lydia]

Okay breathe deeply! you've had chicks you'll be able to do ducklings. Only difference is ducklings are way messier with their water. So get a broiler pan put a doggie pee pad over top to protect those tiny feet and place your waterer on top of it and yes a chick waterer is fine for first couple of weeks this link will give you info and also shows a pic of a home made waterer. I am using a heat plate @WannaBeHillBilly made a MHP for his ducklings .
Very exciting and hope you'll post lots of pics.. One thing you may want to do is use pee pads or old towels first week or so because until the ducklings get use to knowing what feed is shavings can be awful tasty. I avoid that by using old towels makes for quite a bit of laundry but I feel I'd rather be safe than sorry.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/raising-and-caring-for-ducklings.750869/#post-10611711

 

[Melodychick]

I make these water containers View attachment 1767783View attachment 1767784

Thanks! Yes, I’ve seen your pics, and plan to make those, but got blindsided by them coming 3 weeks early!

 

[Melodychick]

Okay breathe deeply! you've had chicks you'll be able to do ducklings. Only difference is ducklings are way messier with their water. So get a broiler pan put a doggie pee pad over top to protect those tiny feet and place your waterer on top of it and yes a chick waterer is fine for first couple of weeks this link will give you info and also shows a pic of a home made waterer. I am using a heat plate @WannaBeHillBilly made a MHP for his ducklings .
Very exciting and hope you'll post lots of pics.. One thing you may want to do is use pee pads or old towels first week or so because until the ducklings get use to knowing what feed is shavings can be awful tasty. I avoid that by using old towels makes for quite a bit of laundry but I feel I'd rather be safe than sorry.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/raising-and-caring-for-ducklings.750869/#post-10611711

Thanks! Going to pick up some puppy pads today.

 

[chickens really]

Thanks! Yes, I’ve seen your pics, and plan to make those, but got blindsided by them coming 3 weeks early!

Well don't stress..Set up the Brooder so only half is heated because Ducklings don't need too much heat.
Enjoy those babies..

 

[Melodychick]

Well everyone has eaten, drank and pooped and are now lounging under the MHP. So far so good

 

[Miss Lydia]

They are adorableCongratulations!!

 

[Daphne_loves_mealworms]

Such cuties! How many did you get?

 

[Melodychick]

Such cuties! How many did you get?

Thanks! Just the three. Hatchery sent 4 to the feed store, but 1 was DOA