NEW DUCK OWNER... Please help...

Lunch'n'Brunch

Lunch'n'Brunch

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Hi everyone,

I've become an "unwanted duckowner" the other day. A friend of mine dropped 2 ducklings off in my yard and they are now sharing the garden with my torotoises :-)08 Since I've decided to keep them, I want to do so with the best knowledge. Can someone please help me with the following questions:

- Does anyone know what type of ducks they are?
- are they already too big to pinion their wings? or is clipping the better choice anyway?
- how old do you reckon they are?
- is it okay to feed them corn and rice?
- do you have any special tips on keeping ducks in a private garden?


Thanks very much in advance. Looking forward to your feedback.

Tani
 

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Hi Lunch'n'brunch and welcome to the Forum.
I can quite see why you decided to keep these little sweeties! I expect one of the duck experts will be on here soon to give you some help, but in the meantime you could try a read of the Duck section on the main Poultrykeeper website at http://poultrykeeper.com/ or just click the link right at the bottom of the Index page of the forum.
 
Hello and welcome! These two babies are gorgeous and will bring you loads of enjoyment!
I think they may be Muscovy ducks but I am not sure, will find out for def for you. Most importantly at the crucial stage in development they need the correct feed or you could have leg and wing problems so no corn or rice at this age. They urgently need to get onto a duck grower ration which would be pellets at 15% protein. They looks to me to be about 3 weeks old. Where are you based and do you have a feed store nearby? Once they get to about 20 weeks they will need. Different feed. For now get them onto the poultry growers pellets immediately. Make sure their food is unmediated as medicated feed can kill them.
I you don't mind I will pm you with a stack of resources to help you get started rather than post it all here!
Zo
X
 
They look undersized, the darker duckling doesn't look quite right.

As dorsetduckowner suggest put them on to growers rations (organic chicken growers will be OK) What sort of housing and run do they have access too?

They will need a little house with shavings of their own to keep warm.

If they were just dumped on you, I always have room for more ducklings here!
 
Hi guys,

Thanks for the replies! I forgot to add that I'm situated in Dubai. I am struggling to find food :-( The dark one really seems to be struggling... He has troubles walking and seems very fragile. The yellow one however is doing well (or so it seems to me). I have a garden with grass that they've been running around in, I will attach a picture to this post. I have yet to build the house, but I don't think they'll be too cold since the nights here in Dubai during summer don't drop much below 35 C (95 F). They do have shade all day.

I'll definitely drive around a bit from pet shop to pet shop to figure out what food pellets are available. Anything else you can think of?

Thanks again for all the help. I've fallen in love with these little guys :-)

Tani
 

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Lovely, keep us posted! You should be able to find feed, just make sure it is the correct protein level and non mediacted :)
zo
x
 
Lovely photo, I love Dubai, spent a lot of time in Abu-Dhabi so know how hot it can be in August! Hopefully I can go back over in November my favourite time of year, but I digress! :D
 
Hi guys, I've managed to get some feed. I've kept them out of the water today and they seem to be doing lots better, especially the black one. He definitely has problems with his left leg and walks strange, but he is much stronger today than he was yesterday. They grow quickly! Musky hybrids... Interesting, will do a bit of research. They are actually getting along really well! Is it normal that they are very shy? Whenever I approach them, they hustle into the opposite corner of the garden :-) What age are ducks usually fullgrown?

Have a great evening.

Tani
 
Ahh well done! Thats great news. Let's see how they look when they get a bit older, the breed may be more obvious :) Where did they come from.
Good news on the black one, as long as he can get about unaided and he eats ok and cannot do himself injury then I wouldn't worry too much about him. be good to get him checked out at a vet if you can at some point though!
Yes ducks are very suspicious of people! You will have to tame them with treats and food. Try chopped tomato.
They will be fully feathered between 8-10 weeks.
zo
x
 
Awww keep your eye on him he may be ok, little wonders to the earth, beautiful, don't give up on him, mine were odd walking when they were young, and we're constantly sitting down like they were weak, I now have 3 big beauty's haha. Hope your baby's grow well keep us up dated, make sure ye don't use medicated that's na for them
 
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