Yeah! Ducklings are in!

[Bettacreek]

I ordered the last two pekin ducklings on the list at the feed store. I couldn't get anymore anywhere, unless I bought eggs online. Anyways, I told them that if there were any extras, I wanted first dibs. They called today and told me that the ducklings were in a day early, which works a lot better for me, since we're going camping tomorrow, so I'll have a day to watch everyone to make sure they're alright. I asked if they had any extras, and the lady said that the order was goofed and the hatchery had DOUBLED the entire order! At $3.40 each, they asked me how many I wanted. I know that I want at least 5, but I'm not sure if I should go all out and get 10, and then keep all hens and process the drakes. I guess the more that I have, the more hens I'll have for next year and the cheaper the feed will be, since I can buy larger bulk amounts.

 

[duckyfromoz]

Ten is a nice even number... If you are driving all the way there..might as well get them all

 

[Amiga]

What kind of setup do you have? Sounds like you have an autopilot setting on your brooder! (I am ever looking for ideas.)

 

[Bettacreek]

Well, I went down and picked out ten of them, after they confirmed that they had enough (what, just an hour previous to picking them up, they said that there were too many extras, PLUS they had someone cancel an order of two). As I was closing the box, the lady behind the counter said "that leaves one of the pekins", so I did the obvious thing and took that one as well, lol.
As for my set up, I just have some ramshackle ideas. Our coal bin downstairs is empty, so I cleaned it up and tossed my meaties in there, then the layers went in there. Since the feed is unmedicated, the ducklings will go in there as well. Later I'll have to build a breeder cage for whoever doesn't get eaten, and a coop for the layer chickens. Right at the moment, the ducklings are in my small brooder, since my button quail chicks had to go back into the incubator after a disaster. Later today, I'll move the ducklings and put the buttons back into the small brooder. My only weirdo is the turkey poult. It was doing ok with the button quail chicks, except for the fact that it wouldn't eat or drink unless I was feeding it by hand or giving it water. It can't stay in with the chickens/ducklings because that protein is way too low, the poor guy already has angel wing from the low protein, and I've got to fix that. I just don't know what to do with that darn poult.