Woo Hoo got my ducks! Got a few questions though?

Hello, much excitement, my miniature silver appleyards arrived yesterday (a boy and 3 girls), my chucks have welcomed them with open wings  and all is well.  Just a couple of questions, as this is my first experience of keeping ducks, I just wanted to check a couple of things.  They are all happy splashing around in their paddling pool and ranging round the garden, they are grooming themselves a lot but seem to be shaking their feathers continuously, almost shimmying all the time.  Is this a normal duck thing, or could it be that they're a bit nervous being in a new environment? I'm feeding layers pellets which they dont seem that interested in unless i scatter it on the floor, do ducks prefer to eat off the floor or could it be that they're not used eating out of a feeder (flat and shallow)? I know these sound like basic questions, but I just like to make sure they're happy and settled 

Congratulations on your new ducks! I have a full size Silver Appleyard and she is a fab duck!

They do all shake and shimmy, as well as the more easity recognisable preen, a lot. Wouldn't worry about that is they are healthy with no hangers on of their own.

Would feed them in a container as has already been said or their food gets tramppled in pretty quickly. They are creatures of habit and change can make them very nervous (you wouldf think I was trying to poison my lot the day I changed the bowl they eat from) but will settle down. Layers pellets should be fine as long as they are unmedicated as the anti-coccicdosis stuff is toxic to ducks.

Have fun and pics are always apprieciated!...

WELL, THEY'RE THE LAW!!!

Can't beat ducks! I'm competely smitten with mine and I have had them for years. Just need them to start laying again and I'll be even happier!

I feed my ducks 50:50 wheat/pellets in the winter and more layers in the spring when they come into lay. Ducks especially runners will need a trough for feed, or a shallow tray near their water.
Runners are very active and very, very messy! Personally I wouldn't keep chucks and runners together, as the ducks will trash the place!