Waiting on ducklings!

[Schfam]

I’m waiting on a couple Pekin ducklings I ordered from McMurray Hatchery. I’m kinda freaking out! I’ve never ordered live animals before. They shipped Tuesday evening and are guaranteed to arrive in 48-72 hours. However, the tracking has not updated and still says “shipping label created”. I talked to the hatchery and was assured they did ship, that tracking is just “stuck” and they will arrive today or tomorrow. I’m so concerned for their well-being! We are in the middle of a heat wave. I really wish I could see where they were. I called the post office and the girl I spoke too could see the same thing in tracking as me. Anyone else been here and know the anxiety of waiting on their arrival?!

 

[Schfam]

Here they are!! Very happily eating and drinking!

I will be adjusting their space and feeders/waterworks as needed. I will start adding some yeast. Thank you!

 

[CoriM]

I totally know that anxiety - I feel like that every time, and also have stopped into the post office to ask early. Your tracking info will probably show when it's been delivered to the post office, then just show up that day as soon as they open and badger them. That's what I do. Do you have experience with Pekins? If not, the biggest thing to know is they grow super fast as they are bred to be meat birds, and sometimes their bodies can't quite keep up, so they easily develop leg problems. The way to avoid this is make sure you have a duckling feed with niacin, and also sprinkle extra brewer's yeast or nutritional yeast on top. If you see any problems at all start to develop you'll want to start them on liquid vitamin B complex (says injectable but it's for oral) ASAP. Every spring there are loads of people on BYC that have trouble with their pekins, that is why I mention it to you now, so you can prevent any problems! Pekins are very sweet ducks. I hope you enjoy them!

 

[Schfam]

They are here!!! I got a call just a few minutes after posting, not from my local post office but from the distribution center about 25 minutes away. I ran out the door to get them in time to be back to get the kids off the bus. Both ducklings seem healthy and lively!

 

[Chicken Chat]

I had 15 chicks shipped during an intense heat wave about 8 weeks ago and was very nervous I would have some dead upon arrival but all 15 were in good shape with no loses during the last 8 weeks so fingers crossed for you. It's always pins and needles till you get them in hand.

 

[Schfam]

Yes, they said they would call! I stopped by earlier in the week to ask some questions, and I called today. I’m contemplating stopping by again

These are for my 11yr old son so that adds another layer of omg I hope they arrive safely

I hope your shipment goes smoothly and they arrive safely!

 

[Schfam]

@Schfam how's the duckling?

@Miss Lydia Thank you so much for checking in. I truly appreciate it. And for all of your help. She passed overnight we knew she was going to and just tried to keep her comfortable. Her sister is lonely now. We put a mirror in the brooder and a stuffy which she’s been cuddling with. So now the question is, do we wait for the hatchery to send replacement? TSC had some ducklings yesterday, not Pekin. I think they were khaki Campbell. Do I take a gamble and get one there (we need hens) so that this one is not alone? There’s a local guy that rescues and apparently breeds I could reach out to but again I’m not sure if they will be sexed. Trying to figure out the best way to handle this. Kicking myself for not getting 3 but I was hopeful!

 

[cheezenkwackers]

I'm so happy for you that they are sending 2. I don't think it will take much to integrate them with the little one you have now. I was hoping @cheezenkwackers would post pictures of her setup since I didn't make pics of mine but this is what I did. I used 2 Xlarge dog crate tie wrapped together to make a huge brooder. I used old window screens over the top. But I had 2 ducklings that were 2 weeks old and had 2 hatch after that so I put the 2 older ones on one side and placed a piece of hardware cloth wrapped in tape to cover the sharp edges I placed it in the crate and then put the 2 new hatchlings on the other side. This way they shared the heat lamp since I only had one heat plate. But this worked great It gave the older 2 time to get used to the 2 new ones and gave the 2 new ones a chance to get their legs under themselves, I waited till they were a few days old before I tried them together first the older 2 were a little pushy but after another few days the younger were sleeping on top of the older ones and they were always together after that.

My Little Runners shipped today and should be here Wednesday.

Sorry, I had out-of-town company. Here you go:

 

[Schfam]

Sorry, I had out-of-town company. Here you go:
View attachment 3633523
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Just seeing this now. Thank you! I’ve been Mia the past week bc my dad was in hospital.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I have some Runners coming from Metzers next week could be shipped monday -Wed, Nervous nelly here too.

Will the PO call you when they arrive? they are supposed to.