What to feed ducklings

[wholewheatchicken]

I feed my ducklings Dumor chick/duck starter, then they move to the finisher/grower. I use wood chips for the bottom of their coop, and mine go outside when they are fully feathered

I've never had a duck. What do you look for to know they are fully feathered? Wood chips are a good idea!

 

[PetesMom]

They go from yellow fluff, to white feathers
As a baby


almost fully feathered


And fully feathered

 

[wholewheatchicken]

They go from yellow fluff, to white feathers
As a baby


almost fully feathered


And fully feathered

How old do they have to be before they can swim some? How old are they when they are fully feathered? Is your duck a Pekin? What do you feed them as a treat? I like your pics.

 

[OldGuy43]

Aaaahhhhh! That must be why they keep ducking their bills in the water so far and splashing around, LOL! They are so messy it's hilarious. Last night they figured out how to make a small pond in the bottom of the tub I had them in. They had so much fun splashing around in the bit of water. They played for a while and then I dumped the water out and fixed their bedding again and they got preened back up and laid down on a warm towel under the brooder light for a good night's sleep. We figured out a much better spot for them tonight that has a lot more room.
How old should they be before being moved outside to their duck house and how warm should it be on the overnight temps? Also, what kind of bedding is best in their duck house?

I started mine out with a pie pan full of water to splash around in on day four.

This isn't a proven fact, but I think that them all huddling together when they sleep may be a survival instinct rather than a lack of room. Think about it, to stay under the hen they would have to stay in a tight group. Seems like as good an explanation as any.

 

[Mum]

According to my small holders book, from hatching to 10 weeks old "feed them as much barley or other meal as they will eat; add milk if you have it" . HTH

 

[happyvalley]

Hello, being a first timer with pekin ducks myself this year, it has been a interesting adventure. My pekins are about five to six weeks old now and were just put outside about a week ago. They grow amazingly fast in just a short time span, and because of this is why I was forced to put them outside asap. I am learning day by day as to what is working and what seems to be a problem. I did start them with chick starter based on what I was told at the time of purchase. They are still eating this even though they have now finally turned more white in color. They have learned to get fresh water from a 5 gallon bucked fitted with water nipples, but since they have been moved outside, they use the kiddie pool water and a separate water bowl placed by their feed dish for drinking instead. I wanted a bucket so as to keep their water clean while we were away. I have a sneaky feeling that they will only use the bucket if I remove all other water sources. The soft kiddie pool was a freebie we found in our field after winter. I wasn't sure how long it would last after seeing they have toenails at the end of their webbed feet. I will most likely have to replace it soon as I do fill it up every day for them to play in now. I did put in some pavers for easier access in and out but they prefer to dive in from the sides of the pool instead. The water never stays clean very long, but watching them play in it is worth the effort to refill it constantly. I was given some corn mash from someone who said they would eat this also. This person bought it for a pig they were going to purchase, but later changed the plan. I give them half of the corn mash and half of the chick starter which seems to be consumed at their liking. They also have access to grass & bugs in their pen. Because of some extremely cold temps at night, I have had to herd them into the dog house (with straw) at night. I covered the entrance with burlap and they seem to stay in all night until morning, when they venture out on their own. Last night I left them to decide to go in on their own. Whether they did or not I have no idea. We did get some rain during the night and when I checked on them early this morning while it was just beginning to get light, they were both sitting in the pool in the moonlight. I put them in the doghouse three or four nights in a row by hand, so I am hoping they got the point. I did read somewhere else that they will eat fruits and vegetables, so maybe garden scraps will be next as the season unfolds.

 

[wholewheatchicken]

Hello, being a first timer with pekin ducks myself this year, it has been a interesting adventure. My pekins are about five to six weeks old now and were just put outside about a week ago. They grow amazingly fast in just a short time span, and because of this is why I was forced to put them outside asap. I am learning day by day as to what is working and what seems to be a problem. I did start them with chick starter based on what I was told at the time of purchase. They are still eating this even though they have now finally turned more white in color. They have learned to get fresh water from a 5 gallon bucked fitted with water nipples, but since they have been moved outside, they use the kiddie pool water and a separate water bowl placed by their feed dish for drinking instead. I wanted a bucket so as to keep their water clean while we were away. I have a sneaky feeling that they will only use the bucket if I remove all other water sources. The soft kiddie pool was a freebie we found in our field after winter. I wasn't sure how long it would last after seeing they have toenails at the end of their webbed feet. I will most likely have to replace it soon as I do fill it up every day for them to play in now. I did put in some pavers for easier access in and out but they prefer to dive in from the sides of the pool instead. The water never stays clean very long, but watching them play in it is worth the effort to refill it constantly. I was given some corn mash from someone who said they would eat this also. This person bought it for a pig they were going to purchase, but later changed the plan. I give them half of the corn mash and half of the chick starter which seems to be consumed at their liking. They also have access to grass & bugs in their pen. Because of some extremely cold temps at night, I have had to herd them into the dog house (with straw) at night. I covered the entrance with burlap and they seem to stay in all night until morning, when they venture out on their own. Last night I left them to decide to go in on their own. Whether they did or not I have no idea. We did get some rain during the night and when I checked on them early this morning while it was just beginning to get light, they were both sitting in the pool in the moonlight. I put them in the doghouse three or four nights in a row by hand, so I am hoping they got the point. I did read somewhere else that they will eat fruits and vegetables, so maybe garden scraps will be next as the season unfolds.

You sound like you are having as much fun as I am. I didn't think anything with feathers could outrank a chicken and I have been sooooo wrong. All of us, dog included, love to go watch the little ducks play. I guess they have to be so adorable because if they weren't you couldn't put up with their mess and stinkiness!!!!! My DH ended up getting a new tarp and clipping it to the sides of a fire ring we had....that we have never made a fire with, but has been very useful for chickens and now ducks. The ducklings have tons of room now and they can splash the water out and make little puddles to play in and then the area under the brooder light stays nice and dry for sleeping. I do have the little now four day old duckling in with the two weekers and it is still going really great. The big kids let the little one sleep in the middle of the huddle and they never run it over. They are all having so much fun running around and slipping in sliding in the water.
I don't know where I would find barely for them. They like the flock raiser. It's going to be cold here all week so no bugs and grass for them yet.

 

[OldGuy43]

Quote:I don't know where I would find barely for them. They like the flock raiser. It's going to be cold here all week so no bugs and grass for them yet.

Might I suggest a cheap bag of peas? Just tried them yesterday and our mini-quackers love them. Be sure and throw some in their water. You'll really love watching them dive for them.

 

[wholewheatchicken]

Might I suggest a cheap bag of peas? Just tried them yesterday and our mini-quackers love them. Be sure and throw some in their water. You'll really love watching them dive for them.

That is a fabulous idea! I bought them some kale this morning and thought I would chop it up finely for them and put some grit out. I would love to watch them dive!