[freshers]

am waiting for a call to say my pair of crested call ducks are ready to pick up. have never kept ducks, or any fowl before, anyone got any handy tips?!! i have built a pen with a house which is a converted hutch and has a pool for them to swim in.

[freshers]

also, will i need to clip their wings?

[Vember]

Hi Freshers,

I have 5 Calls, what did you want to know???

How old are they???

 RE ClippingIf they've alot of room and no roof on the run it might be advisable. I do mine as they will take off if they have the room too

[freshers]

just wanted some advice on best feed, wing clipping, etc. what do you use as bedding in the house?

[Vember]

ok well it depends on their age for food my adults have normal corn & some layers pellets but in spring breeder ration. My youngsters are on Duck grower pellets twice a day an a bit of corn of an evening.
Chicks up to 3/4 weeks of age should have Duck starter crumbs.

I don't leave water or food in for them at night if you do any bedding will be wet through next morning.
Although the first night in a new house then I would leave them with food an water so they can eat when they're less stressed.


As for bedding I just have use sawdust and some straw.
Take worst smelly bits of poop normally top layer off every few days an replace, although some people do just keep adding straw to make a deep litter

Wing clipping have a look here I'm dodo at discribing stuff soz  :oops:

http://www.omlet.co.uk/guide/guide.php?view=Ducks&cat=Duck%20Health&sub=wing%20clipping

Anything else we can help with give us a shout, there are a few of us Duck people about  


Sarah

[freshers]

thanks for the help. one more question for now, i'm not really getting the ducks for the eggs but would like to know how many i might get with 2 girls...
thanks  mark

[Vember]

The first year about 50 ish if you keep taking them everyday

but that drops off quite a lot in the second year

Mine first year started laying 2nd Feb - end August, following year layed first one end of March (can't remember date written somewhere   ) then only laid till end of June.

This year about the same


They're so much fun to watch etc will look forward to seeing some photo's, oh ye and have you got some ear plugs handy, the females are really noisey  

Sarah

[Jellyhead]

No advice, Vembers the best at that BUT, I do have a word of warning

Do not tell me where you live orse they might get lifted to France          

[Kate and her Ducks]

Hi and welcome to the forum. There are a couple of duck people about and advice or opinions when requested (and often when they're not )

This thread has a bit of basic advice and can always be added to :

http://www.chat.allotment-garden.org/viewtopic.php?t=20427&highlight=keeping+ducks

And pictures are the law

[poultrygeist]

Hi Freshers. Can't offer advice either, but Vember and Kate are the top duckies as far as I'm concerned.  

You'll never be short of a laugh with ducks around. Better buy a camcorder if you haven't already got one.

Enjoy them and make sure we get some pics when you have them.

Rob

[blulagoo]

Jelly

Do you rustle horses too?

[Jellyhead]

cor if only it was that easy. i want to rescue some donks but have to wait till I have some money. They still get meat money for donks cos apparently they make good sausages :evil:  :evil:  :evil:  :evil:  :evil:

[blulagoo]

Make good sausages ... I didn't even know donks could cook!!