The Poultry Keeper

devonfoster · Joined: 28 May 2008 Posts: 4 Location: devon

I've got babies!!!! Laughing

yesterday my duck eggs started to hatch. Today i have 2 ducklings and definately one on the way and another one fingers crossed. tried to add pics but unsure how to do it, any advice? Confused

Need a few pointers please as most of the books i have read give lots of advice when using an incubator but not much when they have been hatched by mum and she is looking after them. here goes lots of questions Confused

* when can i stoop feeding crumb and start on growers?
* When are they aloud out ot swim?
* When is the best time to introduce them to my other birds, drake and chickens?
*How soon will i be able to tell the sex and what do i need to look for?

Well i think that is it for now, hopefully someone out there can answer a few questions.

thanks

mojo · Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 9:31 pm Post subject:

wait till welsh duck comes on forum he will help i am sure

debbie26pet · Joined: 06 Jun 2008 Posts: 121 Location: lancs

oh its exciting isnt it, id be interested on teh answers u get i have some duck eggs in incubator
dont for get piccies, what sort are they

Pekinout · Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 1196 Location: Cornwall

They want starting on growers when they're about 6 weeks old.

Ducklings can drown in very shallow water, (even a water dish) so don't let them swim til they're feathered up.

Introduce them to the other birds when they're fully feathered.

You can sex them when they're feathered, the drakes have a curly tail feather and their quack is more like a wheeze, whereas the girls will have a proper quack.

Welsh Duck · Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 9:10 am Post subject:

Females start to quack at about 6 weeks.

I would just like to add to the above, its best to keep them in a covered run for a while, if you are able, as ducklings are a treat for crows or magpies.

By the way, if they are muscovies they wont have a curled tail or quack, you have to go on the size of them. The drakes being bigger as they get older Very Happy

devonfoster · Joined: 28 May 2008 Posts: 4 Location: devon

Thanks for the advice, but what do you mean by feathered up? and how long before that happens? i have got mum and 3 babies now in a small covered run. How long do you think i should keep them there? i am feeding chick crumb and will continue to do so until later. they are Call ducks and absolutely beautiful.

i am a bit worried about mum not getting enough water, there is a drinker where she can get a drink but what about putting her head in? the run isn't big enough to have a small trough for her, any suggestions? she is not eating much either, do i need to worry or is this pretty normal?

Thanks for advice again hopefully you can answer the above questions also.
Photos how do i do it? Confused

kated · Joined: 01 Nov 2006 Posts: 2041 Location: norfolk

I have to disagree with pekinout about the water and ducklings drowning. A shallow pan of water near the food dish will encourage the mother duck to feed and the ducklings to drink and feed too. They will make a huge mess, taking their food to the water and dabbling it and will show obvious satisfaction at the mess they are making! It's all part of duckdom and I reckon it's cruel not to let ducks have access to water to dabble in at all times. If you are worried that the ducklings are getting too wet (and I don't think they will) you can be on hand to remove the water when they have had a good go with it - i.e don't make the shallow dabbling pan a permanent fixture in the pen. I let mine have it all the time and never had any problems but my ducks had more room than yours appear to have.

Kitsune · Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 1406 Location: Manchester

mum duck and babies definitely need at least a level of water they can put their nostrils in to clean them - I wouldn't worry too much about drowning chicks if they are with mum