Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
POOL SAFETY
A common problem with first-time waterfowl raisers is their rush to see their young
birds swim. Unless they are raised with the mother duck or goose in charge, avoid
giving your fowl water deep enough for swimming. Until their oil glands start work-
ing at four to five weeks, they will be unable to stay afloat.
I have seen more than one disaster when unaware owners place day-old ducklings
into a wading pool. The babies swim lower and lower until they sink and inevitably
drown.
These birds do love to splash and play in water, however, so I usually provide
dishes where they may swim. These dishes are not too deep at the start — maybe an
inch or two (2.5-5 cm) of water, but can be replaced with larger, deeper dishes as the
birds grow older. At between four and five weeks, when they can handle it, my birds
get a kiddy wading pool. I put a ramp or pile of rocks in one end so they can crawl
out if their feathers become water-soaked.
Remember: Waterfowl must have a waterer deep enough to allow them to dip their
nostrils in and rinse them out, or they will contract serious upper respiratory illness.
Wood flooring is okay temporarily, but the constant wetness leaves you with a rotten
floor after several seasons. I've used five-eighths inch (0.16 cm) treated plywood for
floors, which lasted about seven years with young waterfowl raised on it for about five
months out of each year.
Heat
If it is still cool outside, with nighttime temperatures getting below 60°F (15°C),
then you must provide heat for a few weeks longer, through the use of a heat lamp.
Midsummer-raised waterfowl are fairly economical because energy inputs are low.
Waterfowl that you raise in the very early spring are much more costly both in energy
use and cleaning time, because the air is colder and the birds can't be moved outside as
quickly.
Feed and Forage
Once you have built or purchased a shelter, and established it as their range home, your
waterfowl will love to venture forth and graze on the grass or pasture areas. I start pro-
moting foraging behavior at just a few days old, giving them lettuce or other greens
while they are still in the brooder. They love these little snacks, and once given the
chance, will love to gather their own.
