Welsh Harlequin

[Zombified]

): I hope you're able to find your missing ducklings.

 

[Miss Lydia]

): I hope you're able to find your missing ducklings.

X2

 

[amandamc]

They have been located!

The ladies (and one very nice young man) tracked down my ducklings. The first truck driver missed them and one of the workers at the distribution office noticed right away, got them in a warm place, and put them on the next truck. I will be able to pick them up this afternoon.

The downside is the truck arrives at around 3:30 and I work from 4:45 to 8:30. I will have just enough time to get them back home, in the brooder, watch for a few minutes and then I have to be back out the door. I was not originally scheduled to work today but it was last minute.

Any tips on what I can do to make them as safe and comfortable as possible while I'm at work? My husband may beat me home and will check on them if he does, but just in case anything extra I can do for them I will.

 

[Miss Lydia]

They have been located!

The ladies (and one very nice young man) tracked down my ducklings. The first truck driver missed them and one of the workers at the distribution office noticed right away, got them in a warm place, and put them on the next truck. I will be able to pick them up this afternoon.

The downside is the truck arrives at around 3:30 and I work from 4:45 to 8:30. I will have just enough time to get them back home, in the brooder, watch for a few minutes and then I have to be back out the door. I was not originally scheduled to work today but it was last minute.

Any tips on what I can do to make them as safe and comfortable as possible while I'm at work? My husband may beat me home and will check on them if he does, but just in case anything extra I can do for them I will.

Make sure they have fresh water [not cold water, tepid]since they maybe dehydrated from being in transit so long, 15 min with water 15 without for a while to keep them from over doing. They may not eat right away but put feed down anyway and here is the link we give out to those with new ducklings.. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/750869/raising-and-caring-for-ducklings#post_10611711 look forward to seeing pics.

 

[amandamc]

That is what I am afraid of. I will not be here to do the 15 minutes water, 15 minutes of no water.

Would it be better to take them to work with me and hold off the extra 3 hours in a warm place in their shipping box or bring them to the brooder and have unsupervised water access? Worse case I could slip away at work and go give them some water in the shipping box every 30ish minutes or so. Or a bigger box if I can find one.

I blame the driver that missed them this morning and the illness that has caused me to work 4 days this week instead of 1! You never can plan for everything.

 

[LightningTFarm]

When I get ducklings in the mail I put them in the brooder one at a time, making sure to dip their beaks in the water so they know what and where it is when they get thirsty. You can also cut some small pieces of grass to float on the water, as that will attract them. Put out some feed, make sure they have a head source, and don't worry about it. They are tougher than they look. Make sure you are putting niacin in the water for them, as ducks need extra niacin. If you don't have it right now, don't worry about today, but get some on the way home. I bought some capsules at the drug store and each one would make three gallons of water. So, I saved milk bottles and made it up three gallons at a time. You can also add some electrolytes to the water for the first few days.

Since they are ducks, expect all your bedding to be thoroughly wet by the time you get back. For the first few days I usually put an old towel over the pine shavings, till they learn what they are and are not supposed to eat.

 

[amandamc]

The truck was late so here I am at work with my temporary brooder. They are by a space heater. Not ideal by any means but it was the best I could do until I am off work.

 

[Amiga]

Is that a little water tray I see?

They all made it so far?

 

[amandamc]

They have both food and water. I will be taking it away as suggested here soon. All but the one that was DOA seem to be fine. Just very nervous about when I leave the room when classes start.

 

[Miss Lydia]

The truck was late so here I am at work with my temporary brooder. They are by a space heater. Not ideal by any means but it was the best I could do until I am off work.

How are they after their ordeal? watch they don't get too warm with the heater. from what I can see they are adorable. Have they been drinking and eating/ looks like someone is interested.