Well, I ordered 20 Blue Swedish babies from Ideal. They said to look for them next Friday. Now what do I do? I was thinking since I have a big (at least 55 gal)Rubbermaid water tub that I'm not currently using, I'd scrub it out and use it for them. Round corners, draft proof, easily cleanable and big enough for me to sit in and play w/ the babies. I'm just going to hang a heat lamp in it and cover the top w/ hardware cloth so cats, etc. can't get in. Does it sound like a plan that will work? Also, what kind of feeders and waterers do y'all recommend to start with? I have big heavy crock-type dog bowls that I'll use when they get a little bigger. I also ordered a copy of Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks, but with my luck the ducklings will get here before it does! Any tips will be much appreciated.

-- shakeytails in KY (shakeytails@yahoo.com), February 08, 2002

Answers

Sounds Great! The little buggers will make a mess with their water, try get a waterer that they can't climb in. Best of luck, you're gonna have fun.

-- cowgirlone in OK (cowgirlone47@hotmail.com), February 08, 2002.

Shakeytails, I've used the same type of containers, and they work fine. I'd line the bottom with a couple layers of newspaper at first, then a light layer of sawdust type bedding. This makes it easier to pick up the bedding when you clean. I use a standard chick waterer, about a half gallon size plastic container that screws into a plastic bottom. Ducks will get into any water they can, so don't give them anything too big at first. Same with the feed. They will end up sitting (and pooping) in the feed if you use too large a container. I put a thermometer in on the side of the tub, about the center of one side. Attach with tape or wire to top. Be sure you get UNmedicated poultry or turkey starter for them. Good luck! Jan

-- Jan in CO (Janice12@aol.com), February 08, 2002.

hey, just don't get any ideas about baby pools, i drowned a few birds years ago by the fact that they could not get out!!! I was soooo sad.

-- julie (jbritt@ceva.net), February 08, 2002.

Baby pools are great, but of course you don't put water in them! LOL You have ordered the best resource that money can buy when you sent for Dave and Millies Book. I too raise all of my duckings(the wild ones that I rehab also)in wading pools. I just use the 60" size as they are so handy to put out in pens later with water in them. I don't put more than a dozen youngin's per pool. For spry ducklings I place a 24" circle of cardboard or fencing around the pool. I like pine shavings as opposed to sawdust as the ducklings try and eat everything they see at first. Also us rehabbers use a neat trick to keep the habitat dry and clean. We pick up rectangular plastic,grided laundry baskets. Set them upright, cut away three sides leaving the frame, the grid on one side and the bottom intact. Set these in the "Pool" on top of the shavings. Place old towels in the bottom and place food and water containers in these. For a dozen ducklings, I use two. I have a dozen of these, they store great as they nest inside one another. Also, for water I use nothing bigger than the little plastic waterers that fit on a quart jar. It is difficult for the ducklings to get soaked with the small waterers(we are talking domestic ducklings here, for wild ones we even fill the waterer trays with marbles so they won't get wet!). Use as many as you need so the babies won't run out of water overnight.I know you will feed them duckling food, NO medicated chicken food. Dave and Millie like Purina Meatbuilder if you can't find actual "duckling" food. Chop up greens and sprinkle them on top. Spinach, dark green lettuce and if you have it, tender young grasses and clover. They also feed their ducks once they are old enough white wheat and rolled oats mixed with the duck crumbles and lots of greens. A lot of people who have extra eggs, hard cook them and crumble them on the food also. We like to watch ducklings closely and "when you pass by them on the right, feed them, when you pass by them on the left, change the water". Good luck, you are going to have so much fun! LOL LQ PS don't forget www.poultryconnection.com, General Waterfowl Forum.

-- Little Quacker (carouselxing@juno.com), February 08, 2002.

When the ducklings are very small, I use something like a dish you might serve applesauce or ice cream in, and then put a big rock in the middle so they can't really soak themselves. I also don't use a heat lamp, just a regular 60 watt bulb has always done it for me and I've raised baby poultry like that for years. I have a floor lamp with a bendable neck that just bends over the box.

You will have such fun with those ducklings! :>

-- Jennifer L. (Northern NYS) (jlance@nospammail.com), February 08, 2002.

can't add much to the excellent advice above except that, if you're keeping them in the house, enjoy that "cute stage" first 0~3 weeks while it lasts. I predict that when they're ready to meet the real world outside you'll be more than ready to liberate the little stink butts.

-- B. Lackie - Zone3 (cwrench@hotmail.com), February 08, 2002.

I have raised many ducklings & since they weren't hatched from their mommy they will have no oils to protect them from the water. They can die from shivering & drown. I have had it happen when I ran out of waterers. Use the regular poultry waterers so they can't get in it. Pine bedding is the best to use since it can't cause sprawled legs. Yep they are messy so plan on stirring the bedding or removing the top layer each day. If it is really soaked change immediately to prevent chilling. They are scared & can trample, leave walking space. Good Luck Susan

-- Susan Dunn (sld5825@comteck.com), February 08, 2002.

I got my duck order from Ideal yesterday and they only sent 12 of 20. They said that they will ship again next week and replace the poor little ones that didn't make the trip. Guess that since they didn't have enough ducklings in the box they must have gotten too cold. The babies that are here are really a hoot. They think that my daughter is thier mom. I love them allready. Can't wait for the rest of them.

-- shari (smillers@snowcrest.net), February 08, 2002.