The Duckling BROODER
Ducklings need a warm and draft free brooder box. A Rubbermaid tub makes an easily cleanable brooder. Provide a 1/2 sq. ft. per duckling during the first week, then increased by 1/2 square foot every week or so because ducklings grow rapidly. Place a brooder heat Lamp above a corner of the brooder so that the ducklings can get away from the heat and return to it as necessary. In this corner a temp of 95°F should be maintained on floor level for the first week, after the first week begin to decrease the heat by 5° each week until the bulb is off. If the ducklings huddle together they are too cold and you will need to lower the heat lamp or replace with a higher watt bulb. If they are too warm they will pant and you will need to decrease watts or raise the lamp. Eventually, your ducklings can be moved to the porch or garage and then outside. BYC members have some great brooder ideas! Brooder Ideas
Bedding in the brooder can be wood shavings (not cedar), paper towels, old towels, wood pellets, hay or straw.
Do NOT use newspaper as this gets slippery and can lead to leg problems or a condition called "splayed leg”. Please refer to Poultry Podiatry for treatment suggestions. Make sure if you are using a wire bottom cage that the duckling’s feet can't get caught in the wire. Change the bedding often to prevent mold and mildew which can cause illness in ducklings.
FEEDING YOUR DUCKLINGS
Purina Flock raiser
A 20%-protein nutrient-rich ration that provides top starting, growing and finishing nutrition for a
mixed flock of chickens, ducks and geese from hatch until laying age (18-20 weeks)
HOWEVER, I used this four weeks and started seeing angel wing! Lower protien and offer more greens afterTHREE WEEKS!!!
Great all around pdf of ducks, raising, care, feeding nutrients and health!
http://avianmedicine.net/content/uploads/2013/03/46.pdf
Ducklings require a diet of 20-22% in the form of non-medicated starter mash or crumbles for the first 3 weeks. It is very important that it is non-medicated feed as organ damage can occur if a medicated chick starter is used for ducks. Too little protein can cause nutritional deficiencies and serious health problems. Too much protein can cause a condition called "Angel Wing" where the feathers on the wings protrude upwards.
The protein content of their feed can be reduced to 17-18% at 3 weeks.
Article about treating Angel Wing: Angel Wing Summary
anglewinghispd.wmv
WHEN USING UNMEDICATED CHICK STARTER/GROWER FEED:
These feeds are formulated for chickens which have lower niacin requirements than ducks, therefore supplemental niacin should be given either in water or feed. 100 mg of niacin dissolved in a gallon of water from 0-8 weeks while being fed chick starter/grower. Niacin is available in tablet or powder from drugstores. HIGH levels of niacin CAN BE TOXIC so don’t exceed dosages. Brewer's yeast is a good safe source of niacin. 70mg diet recommended for starting and for growing/finishing ducks. Ducks and turkeys with a niacin deficiency show a severe bowing of the legs and an enlargement of the hock joint.
Please refer Niacin Deficiency Information for more information and treatments
Also Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks, 2nd Edition
TREATS
Ducklings can snack occationally on scrambled eggs, hardboiled eggs, earthworms, meal worms, bugs, finely chopped greens, mild veggies, and diced tomatoes. DO NOT FEED your ducks BREAD, chocolate, onion, garlic, spices, cookies, sugared snacks, seeds, nuts, and moldy food can be FATAL
WATER
If they have food water MUST be present or they can choke to death. Ducklings take a mouthful of food to the water and drink in order to swallow. Change the water at least once a day.
GRIT
Make sure your duck has sand, chick grit or crumbled egg shells in their food,
this helps them digest their feed. If they are often outside foraging you don't need to do this.
Sexing Ducklings
DUCKLINGS ARE ADORABLE but FILTHY!
A few GREAT ideas to keep the Brooder CLEAN!
A cake pan and cooling rack inside a rubbermaid tub work well to help catch
excess water and feed for an easy clean up in the brooder. Its important to keep the brooder dry!
Cut jugs at the base level of the chicks neck so they can drink
and if they do get inside the jug it wont be over their heads.
Just big enough to get their head in and out comfortably.
And throw the lid out, DONT put it on the jug!
Make a new jug every week or as needed, Ducklings GROW FAST!
PS I LEARNED A GREAT TRICK......
KEEP THEIR FEED SEPARATE FROM THEIR WATER, LIKE AT OPPOSITE ENDS, IT KEEPS CLEAN AND THE WATER WONT STINK!
Never leave ducklings unattended near water sources they can't stand up in as they are WITHOUT the protective oils produced by the Mother and can tire quickly and drown. Once they are fully feathered, depending on the type of duck, full feathers should be in place by 9-12 weeks of age they are safe to be in water. For your duck's swimming area, provide a ramp leading in and out of the water. If you have other adult ducks in the pond/water source, be AWARE older adult ducks can killDucks can sustain serious leg injuries climbing in and out of a pool. ducklings by trying to drown the younger ducks.
A great starter swim is a tapered paint roller tray!
WITH SUPERVISION!
cool link TO VIDEO SHOWING how to make cleaning a kids pool SIMPLE!
I am doing this now!
DUCK HEALTH LINKS
Mixing Medicine for Small Flocks of Ducks and Geese
http://www.liveducks.com/health.html
Avian Diseases: Fungal, Nutritional, Tumors, Parasites & Misc.
Acute Aspergillosis in Mallards|PDF
List of Waterfowl Diseases
Duck Health Care
BUMBLEFOOT & Treatment
Waterfowl Diseases: Coping with duck ailments
DUCK RESCUE NETWORK tons of info!
INDIAN RUNNER DUCK ASSOCIATION
http://www.longshadowfarms.com/FAQ.html
The Ancona Duck
& Brooding/
housing ideas!
The Ancona Duck is a rare domestic all purpose (meat and egg) duck considered to be a descendant of the Indian Runner Duck and the Belgian Huttegem Duck breeds. Anconas were developed in England during the early 20th century, but were not available in the United States until 1984. Even though their numbers have increased in the U.S., the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy listed the Ancona's status as "critical".
Ancona Ducks!
Setting duck Eggs! How fun they are to candle!
Candle day 9
Candle day 13
New Years Eve Ducklings Hatch!
Say Hello to Blackberry and Chocolate Drying off in the incubator.
2 day old Ancona Ducklings!
8 days old, please NOTE how fast these ducklings grow in one month!
2 weeks old first swim in the bathtub!
4 weeks old and an addition, say Hello Clementine!
The kids truly enjoyed watching them swim!
But this time doesn’t last very long by 4 weeks they just send too much water out of the tub!
Ancona 5 weeks old!
It was a fast first month!
Journey from Rubbermaid Tub, XXL Dog Kennel to childs play yard!
Spring is probably THE BEST SEASON to raise ducklings!
I TOLD YOU THEY ARE FILTHY!
Didn't I JUST CLEAN THAT AN HOUR AGO?
Bedding is removed every three days and replaced as their poo can get a real amonia/urine odor!
But they are so DARN ADORABLE!
I WANT MORE HATCHING EGGS!
Ancona 6 weeks old!
I love this set up! and with the tarp under it I just drag the wasted litter to the compost pile! and pulling it up the sides of the play yard help keep feathers and shavings inside!
TIME TO MOVE OUT OF THE GARAGE!
OUR beautiful Duck House!
PALLETS GOTTA LOVE THEM!
Big Blue with FF all over him checking out the new house in his run!
Upgraded Pond!
NOTE: Make sure they have a WAY OUT!
BYC Links!
The ULTIMATE list of DUCK Treats and Supplements
Duck Waterers
How Many Ducks do our Members Have?
Duck Housing and Runs
Migratory/Ornamental Waterfowl
First aid kit
Muscovy Duck Regulations
Understanding Basic Color Genetics
Waterfowl Incubation Guide
2012 Waterfowl Breeders Directory
How do ducks fare in the winter???
Wrap for angel wing
Hatching Intervention
Flushes for Toxin Removal
anglewing56k.wmv
The ULTIMATE list of DUCK Treats and Supplements
Duck Waterers
How Many Ducks do our Members Have?
Duck Housing and Runs
Migratory/Ornamental Waterfowl
First aid kit
Understanding Basic Color Genetics
Waterfowl Incubation Guide
2012 Waterfowl Breeders Directory
How do ducks fare in the winter???
Wrap for angel wing
Hatching Intervention
Flushes for Toxin Removal
Heavy Metal Poisoning
Raising and Caring for Ducklings
Incubating and Hatching Muscovy Eggs
Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918
Disclaimer: Please note this information is offered as friendly advice only and, whilst I have made every effort to ensure it is accurate, I can not be held responsible if it proves not to be useful in your case!
Educational Incubation & Hatching, w/ Sally Sunshine Click HERE& NOTES section click HERE
Hatching 101 Article click HERE & Assisted Hatching Guide Click HERE
Cabinet Coolerbator ~ Coolerbators ~ Pallet Coops ~ Saloon Coop ~ Pallet Duck House & Duck Care
Processing Support Group~ PINTEREST ALL POULTRY ~Our Serama House of Littles Click HERE ~Mushy Chick Disease ~ Nasty Chicken Butt ~ Easy no Strain Fermented Feed ~ Easy 5gal Waterer ~DIY Light Box for pics Click HERE
