raising baby ducks?
Image by Fool-On-The-Hill
A feral domestic Muscovy Duck hen at Sugar House Park. Likely someones pet,or escaped meal.These large,strange ducks are native to Mexico and Central and South America,but have been domesticated and are commonly raised,especially for food by Hispanics, and get released,perhaps by an endearing child trying to save them from the dinner plate. I have only seen them one other time in Utah,more than a decade ago along the Jordan River in Rose Park,SLC. They are apparently closely related to Wood Ducks.
Question by oh me oh my: raising baby ducks?
i am going to be ordering some baby ducks for my animal science class and im looking to see what kinds of things they need such as vaccinations housing and food?
im 21 im not torturing them. and i am going to keep them when i am done.
we are raising them. and feeding them different feeds to see how it affects their weight and feathers and overall health. they will not be harmed.
Feel free to answer in the comment section below
6 Responses to raising baby ducks?
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hopefully they wont be torture, they need grass, you can give then bread, a bath of water, and space,
-xo-Cupcake<3
June 29, 2012 at 5:06 pm
Well i’m not sure. Even tho we had babygeese that we raised but we kept them where our pigeons where in the outside cage and had a huge long thing of water…
here try this link it should help you out!!
http://www.howtodothings.com/pets-and-animals/a3229-how-to-care-for-and-feed-baby-ducks.html
harrypotters_girl16
June 29, 2012 at 5:41 pm
I hope the class is old enough not to harm the ducklings in any way. Same for older classes…What are you going to do with the duckies when your done with them?…
Lizzy
June 29, 2012 at 6:02 pm
Most of the time, the hatchery you are ordering your ducks from will vaccinate them for you, for a very small fee (I think mine were about 23 cents each). After these initial shots, I don’t think you have to worry about any more unless they become ill.
As far as housing, ducks are not at all picky. When you first get them, you will need to have a brooder set up. I would hope that you already know about that, but you can make a nice little brooder with a kiddie pool lined with wood shavings and a heat lamp. When they no longer need the supplemental heat, you can move them to…wherever you’ll be keeping them. My ducks are in a 4′ x 8′ pen at night and in bad weather that is constructed of exterior grade plywood with some 1/2″ wire mesh venting at the top – they do need good air circulation, but it needs NOT to be drafty. During the day when the weather’s nice, my ducks are in a large fenced area (the fence needs to be no higher than 4 feet IF you’re getting a non-flying breed. If you get Muscovies, wild-type Mallards, or Calls they WILL fly out.) My ducks also have a small pond for their swimming pleasure. They are, after all, WATERfowl, and it would be wrong to deprive them of good swimming water.
As far as food, Purina has a line of duck foods for each stage of your ducks lives. Simply call their customer service center and they’ll tell you if they have a supplier in your area.
Keep in mind that ducks are terribly messy. Their housing will need to be cleaned frequently, and since I provide mine with drinking water in their house, it’s a constant battle to keep their living area dry. But if you find the routine that’s right for you, keeping ducks is a joy – and I wish you (and your ducks) the best of luck!
Annarie
June 29, 2012 at 6:40 pm
What dont you do? lol
smcp1965
June 29, 2012 at 7:33 pm
They need lots of things. DON’T FEED THEM BREAD! It is VERY BAD for them. I also raised ducks and had a fun time with them. They take alot of care and u need to have a big setup for them. Even If they are tiny. Also If u keep them in a cage when they r little make sure the bottom is not wire or bars in any way. Cause if they walk on it it could damage their feet and they won’t be able to walk at ALL.
Go to liveducks.com
Abby C
June 29, 2012 at 7:41 pm