Raising Jumbo Pekin W/Other Waterfowl In A Brooder.

[ashley_kay]

Hello!

I am about to place my order from a local hatchery. I am a 1st time duckling/duck owner. I currently live on a small hobby farm. My family and I have decided that this is the year we will start to get animals for our farm. I am currently getting 20 chicks, and 4-6 ducklings. At this time I am interested in getting (2) Indian Runner's, and (2) Khaki Campbell's. My husband also wants to get 2 Jumbo Pekin's. My plan is NOT to eat them.

My question is since they are rapid growing ducks, what are people's experiences raising Jumbo Pekin's with other smaller waterfowl. Do I need a much larger brooder? a separate one? Just looking for input on this. I am also a certified veterinary technician, and want to make sure that I am giving my ducklings the best life possible!

Thank you!

Ashley

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Raise them normal, with the other birds. I might do the ducks and chicks separately as even standard ducklings grow a lot faster than chicks and they will be much wetter... coccidiosis isn't a problem for ducklings but could be for chicks... dryer is better. I did like rice hulls for bedding for ducklings instead of shavings.

Sometimes the really large breed duckling may need even MORE niacin than the others.

I used Purina flock raiser, 20% protein. Contacted the company as niacin is not on the guaranteed analysis and it DOES have 55mg/kg as required by ducklings.

http://www.metzerfarms.com/NutritionalRequirements.cfm?affiliate=undef&CustID=23712738

My experience with ducks was that feeding them was SOOO much pricier than chickens and jumbos would be completely off my list for that reason. But I know we all have different desires and available resources.

Good luck!

 

[CrystaBub]

Hi! congratulations - your hobby farm sounds like it will be so much fun with all those animals! I hate to try and talk people out of breeds, but with Runners and KCs, you may want to consider regular Pekins or Hybrid White Layers instead of Jumbo Pekins. As pets, JPs might be too big (especially if one ends up being a drake) for your smaller breeds. A lot of people here have them, but I am just thinking if you end up with a JP drake and a Runner duck - oof that poor Runner girl! I have a regular Pekin duck who weighs in at ~7.5 pounds - but I have a White Layer drake who is only 4.5 pounds which is a perfect size for my Runner lady. Good luck - please share pics once you get them!

 

[Table4Six]

Hello!

I am about to place my order from a local hatchery. I am a 1st time duckling/duck owner. I currently live on a small hobby farm. My family and I have decided that this is the year we will start to get animals for our farm. I am currently getting 20 chicks, and 4-6 ducklings. At this time I am interested in getting (2) Indian Runner's, and (2) Khaki Campbell's. My husband also wants to get 2 Jumbo Pekin's. My plan is NOT to eat them.

My question is since they are rapid growing ducks, what are people's experiences raising Jumbo Pekin's with other smaller waterfowl. Do I need a much larger brooder? a separate one? Just looking for input on this. I am also a certified veterinary technician, and want to make sure that I am giving my ducklings the best life possible!

Thank you!

Ashley

Welcome to BYC! Glad you joined our community of crazy poultry lovers!

I have successfully raised a Jumbo Pekin hen with other standard size water fowl and kept them in the same brooder with no problems. Although they grow faster, ducklings typically require the same needs regardless of breed. However, since you intend to keep them as pets, mine are pets also, as their growth rate slows, it is easier for them to become overweight, so I recommend monitoring their diet/weight carefully.

My flock is extremely diverse, from my tiny call duck hens to my massive Jumbo Pekin drake, all housed together. My jumbos love the other ducks. People might say they can’t keep up with the other ducks, but they can and will. One of the most important and best things about keeping them with other ducks is it keeps them moving, especially when free-ranged, therefore strengthening their legs and keeping their weight in check.

Nutrition needs: ducklings require more niacin than found in chick starter, so supplements are highly recommended. Because Jumbo Pekins are more prone to leg issues due to size, I’d also recommend the occasional supplement of vitamin B complex in their water. As adults, females require layer pellets for stronger eggshells along with the option of oyster shell for added calcium. If you intend to keep a drake(s) I would provide a mix of layer and all flock for needed/extra protein.

Raising ducks is a journey, sad and happy all in the mix, but the rewards are worth every bit of sadness and hurt of losing them. It’s amazing just how attached to them you get, the personalities, the quirks, even seeing the water go from clear to brown in a matter of minutes. I have thirty ducks and love them all for different equally funny and cute reasons. Good luck with your ducks and another big welcome to BYC.

 

[ashley_kay]

Thank you so much for your awesome advice! I have a 2 yr old daughter as well, and I must say she is excited! But mommy is more excited! I have always wanted ducks and have heard such great things.

 

[ashley_kay]

Hi! congratulations - your hobby farm sounds like it will be so much fun with all those animals! I hate to try and talk people out of breeds, but with Runners and KCs, you may want to consider regular Pekins or Hybrid White Layers instead of Jumbo Pekins. As pets, JPs might be too big (especially if one ends up being a drake) for your smaller breeds. A lot of people here have them, but I am just thinking if you end up with a JP drake and a Runner duck - oof that poor Runner girl! I have a regular Pekin duck who weighs in at ~7.5 pounds - but I have a White Layer drake who is only 4.5 pounds which is a perfect size for my Runner lady. Good luck - please share pics once you get them!

I will definitely post pictures. I was hoping for a regular Pekin, but the hatchery I am going through only has the Jumbo. I have found another local hatchery which has the regular. I am thinking about just getting my feet wet with the Runners and KCs 1st then add on this fall or next spring. Thank you for your advice it is appreciated

 

[ashley_kay]

Raise them normal, with the other birds. I might do the ducks and chicks separately as even standard ducklings grow a lot faster than chicks and they will be much wetter... coccidiosis isn't a problem for ducklings but could be for chicks... dryer is better. I did like rice hulls for bedding for ducklings instead of shavings.

Sometimes the really large breed duckling may need even MORE niacin than the others.

I used Purina flock raiser, 20% protein. Contacted the company as niacin is not on the guaranteed analysis and it DOES have 55mg/kg as required by ducklings.

http://www.metzerfarms.com/NutritionalRequirements.cfm?affiliate=undef&CustID=23712738

My experience with ducks was that feeding them was SOOO much pricier than chickens and jumbos would be completely off my list for that reason. But I know we all have different desires and available resources.

Good luck!

Do you have pictures of your duck brooder? I have a pretty good set up already, but am just making sure I have everything I need. If you have pictures I would LOVE to see them

 

[EggSighted4Life]

No, sorry... I just used a small pool with the water set on top of a cooling rack inside a large cookie cookie sheet. I emptied and rinsed a couple times daily, but it saved a lot of dry bedding. I also kept feed as far from water as possible. They walk back and forth and it preserves both for a short while longer. It looks like I might have been using fermented feed back then I can't tell for sure. The chick feeder worked well to keep them from sitting in it. I added a ramp to a dryer sleeping area as they got bigger and need more space.

For the water, I used a sour cream container weighted down by rocks inside and the lid had cut arches, cut larger as needed.

 

[happy duck]

Congrats on your ducklings! I think raising them all together but separating chicks and ducks would be the best!