- Feb 9, 2012
- 147
- 1
- 89
ok so im new and want to get ducklings from my local tractor supply does anybody know how much they are and wat are some tips on raising ducklings
tractor supply ducks
- Thread starter jt813
- Start date
Welcome to the threshold of duckdom!
The cost of the ducklings is pretty small, usually. I bought ten runners a couple of years ago for about $7 apiece. The money I have spent on keeping them safe and healthy has far, far passed the expense of the ducks. And it is worth it to me, as I have been so blessed by caring for these amazing animals!
So.
Before you bring any ducks home (see me getting up on my soapbox? Please bear with me
)
They need a brooder - safe from other pets, people, drafts, falls, things they could swallow that would hurt them, with comfortable bedding that gives them good traction, with adjustable heat that they can move away from if they get too hot.
They need proper food - duckling starter is great, but unmedicated (or only with amprolium... depends on whose advice you follow) chick starter crumbles is okay IF you supplement their diet with niacin by sprinkling brewer's yeast on their food or dissolving 100mg of niacin per gallon of water their first ten weeks. I gave my ducklings a tiny sprinkling (a teaspoon a day on their food) of chick grit until they went outside. They can have treats after a week or two, see the Stickies about duck and duckling treats. Some foods can harm them. And they need their food to always be with water or they may choke to death.
They need water 24/7 at least their first 6 weeks, better their first 8 weeks. Water that's not deep enough for them to get into. I used chick waterers, some people put giant (way too big to swallow!) marbles or clean stones in a pan of water. Ducklings splash so much, they need a good water management system. Search the forum for terms like duckling brooder water and you'll probably find many good discussions.
They need to be able to wash their whole heads frequently to avoid infections. Some people make margarine tubs with lids into head wash stations by cutting a hole big enough for a duckling head, but too small to crawl into and drown.
Ducklings can get themselves into all kinds of trouble and need to be kept safe.
Longer term, they will need a predator-proof shelter, and ideally a predator proof run, if you're as obsessed with duck safety as I am. Many people allow their ducks to free range, and it can work, at least for a while for many people. And many ducks die from predator attacks. I have a Day Pen that is fenced top, bottom and sides, 10'x16' for when I am not nearby. Otherwise, the ducks accompany me when I work in the gardens. I have electric fence around their duck house.
I have a friend who has her three runners in a chain link enclosure with a dogloo inside. She made a wooden door for the dogloo to close the ducks in at night. The ducks free range in an area with a pond. She has lost two ducks to predators in two years.
So please try the search, on ducklings, house, food, pen, and other key words, enjoy the exploration, and I hope that if you're up for the effort (you can often find what you need on freecycle or similar sources or if you are handy you can save loads of money) and some bit of expense, that you have a blast with ducklings! They are wonderful!
The cost of the ducklings is pretty small, usually. I bought ten runners a couple of years ago for about $7 apiece. The money I have spent on keeping them safe and healthy has far, far passed the expense of the ducks. And it is worth it to me, as I have been so blessed by caring for these amazing animals!
So.
Before you bring any ducks home (see me getting up on my soapbox? Please bear with me
They need a brooder - safe from other pets, people, drafts, falls, things they could swallow that would hurt them, with comfortable bedding that gives them good traction, with adjustable heat that they can move away from if they get too hot.
They need proper food - duckling starter is great, but unmedicated (or only with amprolium... depends on whose advice you follow) chick starter crumbles is okay IF you supplement their diet with niacin by sprinkling brewer's yeast on their food or dissolving 100mg of niacin per gallon of water their first ten weeks. I gave my ducklings a tiny sprinkling (a teaspoon a day on their food) of chick grit until they went outside. They can have treats after a week or two, see the Stickies about duck and duckling treats. Some foods can harm them. And they need their food to always be with water or they may choke to death.
They need water 24/7 at least their first 6 weeks, better their first 8 weeks. Water that's not deep enough for them to get into. I used chick waterers, some people put giant (way too big to swallow!) marbles or clean stones in a pan of water. Ducklings splash so much, they need a good water management system. Search the forum for terms like duckling brooder water and you'll probably find many good discussions.
They need to be able to wash their whole heads frequently to avoid infections. Some people make margarine tubs with lids into head wash stations by cutting a hole big enough for a duckling head, but too small to crawl into and drown.
Ducklings can get themselves into all kinds of trouble and need to be kept safe.
Longer term, they will need a predator-proof shelter, and ideally a predator proof run, if you're as obsessed with duck safety as I am. Many people allow their ducks to free range, and it can work, at least for a while for many people. And many ducks die from predator attacks. I have a Day Pen that is fenced top, bottom and sides, 10'x16' for when I am not nearby. Otherwise, the ducks accompany me when I work in the gardens. I have electric fence around their duck house.
I have a friend who has her three runners in a chain link enclosure with a dogloo inside. She made a wooden door for the dogloo to close the ducks in at night. The ducks free range in an area with a pond. She has lost two ducks to predators in two years.
So please try the search, on ducklings, house, food, pen, and other key words, enjoy the exploration, and I hope that if you're up for the effort (you can often find what you need on freecycle or similar sources or if you are handy you can save loads of money) and some bit of expense, that you have a blast with ducklings! They are wonderful!
Very good advice given. Ducks can be messy but it is worth it to me. 
I have gotten 4 ducks so far from TSC and they were $4.59 each. I did loose one of them but the rest are doing great. I do plan to get 3 more this week before the age gap is to big between the ones I have and they new ones.
Check your local store, as some states the TSC will have a min purchase of 6 required. Often times the small family owned feed stores will also have ducklings in this time of the year. You may want to check with them as well. Craig's list is also a good choice for local ducks.
This time of the year our per duckling price goes up to help ward off the Easter Basket fillers. So also be aware the closer to Easter, the higher ducklings may be priced.
This time of the year our per duckling price goes up to help ward off the Easter Basket fillers. So also be aware the closer to Easter, the higher ducklings may be priced.
You could also plan to add to your flock about the time that people with former Easter ducklings decide they cannot deal with them!
I'll have to watch CL after Easter.
Excellent idea and a very important way of keeping someones spur of the moment decision from being dump and killed.
adriannaads
Hatching
- May 31, 2016
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Do they sell them in june
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