Raising ducklings

[Thing1]

Hello i'm gonna be a new duck mom soon and I just wanted to get on here for as much support as I can get. I'm getting a couple of Pekin ducks and I do have a few questions. First I wanted to know that since apparently everything I've read tells me to feed the ducklings equally 5 times a day, is this true? And if so should I feed them during the night or the daytime only? Secondly, what are some of the best duckling starter feeds that you know that are a bit on the cheaper side? How big should the brooder be for 2 ducklings? If I want to feed them some grass as another source of niacin can I just pick it from outside my home? We don't use pesticides or anything. Ok I think that's the last question. I might have more moving forward but for now that's it. Quick replies would be really appreciated but also any replies would be really appreciated. Thank youuu!

 

[Quatie]

My ducklings always have access to food 24/7. They grow really fast, especially Pekins. As they get older, you may need to restrict their food as Pekins can often overeat and easily become overweight. They not as active as other duck breeds.

Pekins need more niacin than any other duck breeds and often get niacin deficiency. You will want nutritional yeast add to the feed, or what I have personally shifted to, is adding niacin to the water. I use high level vitamin B complex from TSC and add it to the water. Fish is the only other best alternative for niacin. Greens contain niacin, but the levels are very low compared to meat.

For brooder size, if they are inside most of the time, it won't be long before they need 3 sq ft per duckling (3+ weeks old) and possibly more with Pekins.

I also found Pekins get eye and nare infections easier as ducklings. I needed to give mine baths daily to prevent this. Even with water deep enough to dunk their heads, they were just less likely to do that compared to other breeds.

 

[Thing1]

My ducklings always have access to food 24/7. They grow really fast, especially Pekins. As they get older, you may need to restrict their food as Pekins can often overeat and easily become overweight. They not as active as other duck breeds.

Pekins need more niacin than any other duck breeds and often get niacin deficiency. You will want nutritional yeast add to the feed, or what I have personally shifted to, is adding niacin to the water. I use high level vitamin B complex from TSC and add it to the water. Fish is the only other best alternative for niacin. Greens contain niacin, but the levels are very low compared to meat.

For brooder size, if they are inside most of the time, it won't be long before they need 3 sq ft per duckling (3+ weeks old) and possibly more with Pekins.

I also found Pekins get eye and nare infections easier as ducklings. I needed to give mine baths daily to prevent this. Even with water deep enough to dunk their heads, they were just less likely to do that compared to other breeds.

The starter feed I'm buying is the Mazuri one with 70% niacin so how much do you think I'd need to add?

I read that since ducklings don't have waterproof feathers when they're young they can drown easily so how exactly would I give them baths without drowning them? Also did you buy any medicines of some sort of your ducklings ever did have any infections?

 

[Quatie]

The starter feed I'm buying is the Mazuri one with 70% niacin so how much do you think I'd need to add?

I read that since ducklings don't have waterproof feathers when they're young they can drown easily so how exactly would I give them baths without drowning them? Also did you buy any medicines of some sort of your ducklings ever did have any infections?

If you are using mazuri, you should actually be fine. It is one of the few feeds that has enough niacin for Pekins.

For baths, I just give them warm baths and watch them. Then I dry them off and put them back in the brooder. They honestly love it. You can start it pretty young after a few days old. I usually start the first bath off shallow where they can stand it still.

Most of the issues I had were easily treated with baths and saline to the eyes. They never became major issues for me. The baths help clean our their nares and eyes. Yours may not have this issue, but I know others have had the same problems with Pekins too.

 

[KathiQuacks]

I agree, it’s best to just give ducklings food 24/7. They need all the food they can get while they’re growing. You can feed at specific times once they’re fully grown, or about 2 months old.

I also agree, if you use Mazuri, you shouldn’t have to add any extra niacin. Their waterfowl feed is fantastic

Since ducklings grow so fast, I’d personally start with 4 - 6 sq ft per duckling for simplicity’s sake.

Drowning is only a risk because the lack of waterproofing makes them waterlogged. You will not have to worry about drowning as long as you’re supervising them.

 

[cheezenkwackers]

These are 3 day old ducklings swimming. I start out with a pie pan on day one and then work my way up. Just dry them off with a towel after their swim time (5-10

minutes). Do NOT use a hairdryer. I suspect you weren’t going to anyway but someone posted a while back that they burnt their ducklings toes off using a hairdryer to dry them.

 

[Thing1]

If you are using mazuri, you should actually be fine. It is one of the few feeds that has enough niacin for Pekins.

For baths, I just give them warm baths and watch them. Then I dry them off and put them back in the brooder. They honestly love it. You can start it pretty young after a few days old. I usually start the first bath off shallow where they can stand it still.

Most of the issues I had were easily treated with baths and saline to the eyes. They never became major issues for me. The baths help clean our their nares and eyes. Yours may not have this issue, but I know others have had the same problems with Pekins too.

okkk thank you so much this really helps calm my nerves about these ducklings, I don't want anything bad to happen to them.

 

[Thing1]

I agree, it’s best to just give ducklings food 24/7. They need all the food they can get while they’re growing. You can feed at specific times once they’re fully grown, or about 2 months old.

I also agree, if you use Mazuri, you shouldn’t have to add any extra niacin. Their waterfowl feed is fantastic

Since ducklings grow so fast, I’d personally start with 4 - 6 sq ft per duckling for simplicity’s sake.

Drowning is only a risk because the lack of waterproofing makes them waterlogged. You will not have to worry about drowning as long as you’re supervising them.

ok thank you good to know all of this before I actually get them.

 

[Thing1]

These are 3 day old ducklings swimming. I start out with a pie pan on day one and then work my way up. Just dry them off with a towel after their swim time (5-10

minutes). Do NOT use a hairdryer. I suspect you weren’t going to anyway but someone posted a while back that they burnt their ducklings toes off using a hairdryer to dry them.

Omg a hairdrierrrr?? Thats horrible, poor ducklings. Also thanks for the help.

 

[Quatie]

okkk thank you so much this really helps calm my nerves about these ducklings, I don't want anything bad to happen to them.

I can understand that feeling.

And you will need to come back and show off some cute duckling photos when you get them.