Why no "Basic Duckling Care" in the stickies?

[chicknfun]

Why is there no thread for Basic care of new ducklings in the stickies? When I try to search for basic duckling care in the duck forum, what comes up is a bunch of chicken topics.......
I have ducklings coming on March 8th, and I need just the basics of their care. I do know about needing head washing apparatus, and someone had also mentioned extra Niacin?
I have read through the list of stickies, but what about the basics?

Am I missing something with my search terms?

 

[tadpole98]

duckling care brooder ideas

that gives some information. niacin tablets can be purchased online, or in your health food store.Niacin 100mg Tablets those are what I am going to use. one, 100mg tablet per gallon of water.

 

[Amiga]

Why is there no thread for Basic care of new ducklings in the stickies? When I try to search for basic duckling care in the duck forum, what comes up is a bunch of chicken topics.......
I have ducklings coming on March 8th, and I need just the basics of their care. I do know about needing head washing apparatus, and someone had also mentioned extra Niacin?
I have read through the list of stickies, but what about the basics?

Am I missing something with my search terms?

chicknfun,

we have not done that yet. Mercy. Good idea. Let me see what I can find in the archive, and we can begin looking into getting a duckling topic in the stickies. Thanks for pointing that out. I reckon I have "been here" so long I don't notice things. sigh.

Here are some places to look.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/568025/care-sheet-ducks-to-new-home

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/597514/need-dry-duckling-brooder-ideas

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/731938/two-ducklings-on-the-way-what-should-i-know

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/634750/now-all-we-need-is-the-quackerettes
(OldGuy43 has posted a number of very helpful, practical ideas, techniques, and methods - with video, sometimes)

 

[cosbackyard]

Good idea.
Some things I remember when my ducklings arrived:
1. They should not swim until they get their feathers - this is for ducklings not raised by a mother duck
2. They have to be kept warm, but have the ability to determine the right spot to be in relation to a heat source - for temp regulation


From the hatchery I use, duck info at bottom:

http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/chickcare.html

 

[tadpole98]

Good idea.
Some things I remember when my ducklings arrived:
1. They should not swim until they get their feathers - this is for ducklings not raised by a mother duck
2. They have to be kept warm, but have the ability to determine the right spot to be in relation to a heat source - for temp regulation


From the hatchery I use, duck info at bottom:

http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/chickcare.html

they can go in water, but only supervised and when their feet can rest nicely on the bottom. not too long either.

 

[Amiga]

I can see why the recommendation against swimming until feathered. I gave my two day olds a bath in a cake pan, then we graduated to bathtub time, 90F water at first, and everyone back into a warm dry brooder afterward. Whoever did not immediately begin preening got a dry washcloth dry-off from momma duck. But I would not let ducklings into cool water too deep to stand in, no.

 

[chicknfun]

WOW, you guys are great!! Thank you very much!!
i want to do the right thing for my duckies, and be prepared for them when they arrive, rather than trying to scramble after they get here!! I have been avoiding the ducklings because they are too cute, but my girls have fallen in love, so duckies it is....and I think I will need some more chickens too....

TY duck people!!

 

[Amiga]

My ducks arrived four weeks early.

 

[Going Quackers]

the duck side! lol

Honestly, if you've raised chicks then your pretty covered the main difference is the water and the fact they grow much quicker. Keeping water under control is probably THE biggest issue facing duck owners, really of any ages.

 

[tadpole98]

My ducks arrived four weeks early.

thats why I always have a place ready for them before I order, just in case i get them early.