Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
and goslings are larger than chicks, brood one-half as many ducklings and one-third as many
goslings as you would chicks.
The heat-source temperature should be between 85 and 90 degrees F. This temperature can be
reduced 5 to 10 degrees every week until the temperature is about 70 degrees F. After the
sixth week and if the weather is mild, the birds will be fully feathered and will no longer need
supplemental heat. The birds should be confined near the heat, feed, and water sources during
the first two to three days after arrival. Observe the birds closely to determine if the heat
source needs to be raised or lowered. As with chickens, if the birds avoid the heat source and
are lurking at the edges of the pen, raise the heat source a few inches. If they huddle under the
heat source, lower it a few inches.
Waterers
Waterers should be full when the birds arrive. There are many types of reasonably priced
waterers available. Do not use an open pan for young ducklings or goslings; they should not
get wet when they are in the down stage lest they become chilled. A chilled baby bird can
quickly become hypothermic and die. Instead, use a waterer with a base wide enough for the
birds to dip their heads and bills without being able to fall in. Adding commercial electrolyte
or vitamin powder to the water the first few days can give the young birds a healthy boost.
You can use electrolyte formulas found at the grocery store, or you can purchase packets to
mix from farm supply stores.
Do not let young ducks or geese have access to swimming water or leave them outside in the
rain. The feathers of young ducks and geese are not fully developed to protect them from wa-
ter, especially during the down stage. If they have been hatched out by a mother duck or
goose, they can have access to swimming water with the adults because the mother will not
let them remain in the water for too long, and she will protect them from rain. By 4 or 5
weeks, the ducklings will be feathered out and will be able to tolerate most weather condi-
tions. Goslings can be placed on pasture at about 6 weeks of age in good weather.
Ducks enjoy water not only for quenching their thirst but also for cleaning their bodies and
exercise. Ducks cannot survive without access to bathing water. They will need a deeper
trough than is required for chickens to dip their bills in to drink. It is their habit to splash wa-
ter onto their heads and bills to clean themselves.
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