What Breed Should I Get?

[KaleIAm]

Another noob question: When can I put them on pine shavings? They are only 3 days old, and the puppy pads are working fine, but I'm running out of them. I have a gazillion shavings, though.

I used towels until I put them outside. I probably didn't need to. I was scared of impacted babies.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Another noob question: When can I put them on pine shavings? They are only 3 days old, and the puppy pads are working fine, but I'm running out of them. I have a gazillion shavings, though.

If you are talking about pine shavings, right now! If the shavings are cedar shavings, never ever! Cedar is poisonous for birds.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

I had my ducklings on shavings for the first two weeks - maybe 10 days - and then on straw because the shavings became too disgusting. And the ducklings started to kick them out of the brooder.

 

[Aunt Angus]

They didn't eat them? Like @KaleIAm, I'm afraid of impacted duckies.

 

[Quatie]

A lot of people use shavings and have no problem with them eating them. But it can happen once in a while. I have had mine on shavings or straw and never had an issue. Some people have had issues with puppy pads.

 

[KaleIAm]

They didn't eat them? Like @KaleIAm, I'm afraid of impacted duckies.

There was just a duckling who died from eating something, maybe substrate, on BYC. It is probably unlikely to happen once your ducklings are eating well and recognize food. Personally I wanted to minimize the risks as much possible.

 

[KaleIAm]

A lot of people use shavings and have no problem with them eating them. But it can happen once in a while. I have had mine on shavings or straw and never had an issue. Some people have had issues with puppy pads.

Oh dear, I haven't heard of this, what was the puppy pad issue?

 

[Quatie]

They ate the puppy pads.

 

[KaleIAm]

They ate the puppy pads.

Wow. Come on ducklings!!

 

[Cassandra Lana]

Hi!

I have ALWAYS wanted ducks. I LOVE ducks. I plan to get a few this spring now that I have a lot more room. I have a small flock of chickens (getting more of those, too, come spring). These ducks will be pets more than anything, but I do like duck eggs!

Now that I am finally getting them, I am like a kid in a candy store! I don't know what kind to get! I adore Runners, but Cayuga are gorgeous. And Pekin are adorable. And my hubby likes Swedish. And Appleyards seem fantastic. Ahhhhhh!


I would prefer ducks who don't fly. They will be in a fenced area (about 1/4 acre in area) shared with my chickens, but they'll have their own wing of the chicken house (pardon the pun).

Advice? I'm leaning towards Runners for cuteness, but I've heard they can be really standoffish. I don't need them to be my best friends, but I need to be able to handle them to care for them.

TIA!

(I'm so excited!!!!)

I recommend anaconda ducks !!! You may need to look around a bit cause they are a endangered domestic species bug they are worth it they have unique cow spots that come in a variety of colors and they are very gentle and love to be hugged ! My two girls lay more eggs than the chickens (egg color can vary) my eggs are white with brown speckles! They are super cute and will attach photos here⬇ (The second pair of ducklings is not related to the first )