Raising Welsh Harlequin Ducklings - Week Two

DOUG'S DUCKS 

Raising Welsh Harlequin Ducklings

On March 3, 2014 my Welsh Harlequin Ducklings hatched at Metzer Farms and arrived at my house on March 5, 2014. To view the Raising Welsh Harlequin Ducklings- Arrival Day Click Here

Today is March 17, 2014 and my ducklings are now two weeks old.

Being two weeks old means they have double in size and since and are much bigger now from when they hatched.   I have had to move them from their brooder located inside the house to a temporary pen / brooder out in the garage.   Over the past two weeks they have eaten almost 20# of starter /grower and drink about 1 1/2 gallons of water a day.  They also enjoy making a mess and playing in the water, ducklings just want to have fun.

Additionally being two weeks of age means that (according to  Storey's Guide to Raising Poultry, 4th Edition: Chickens, Turkeys, Ducks, Geese, Guineas, Gamebirds) you change the duckling diet from one that contains 20+% protein to one around 16-17% protein.  Unfortunately Rhode Island feed stores don't carry any waterfowl feed so I will have to augment the current starter/grower feed with 25% old fashion oats.  I have also started giving them some brewers yeast to supplement their Vitamin B (niacin) intake to ensure they have strong legs to waddle with.

THE NEW BROODER AREA

DOUBLE THE SIZE IN TWO WEEKS

WEEK TWO VIDEO- DUCKS ON THE MOVE

They should start growing in their feathers soon and as soon as I can build the duck barn they will be moving to their permanent home.

Stay tuned for further updates....