I'm a mess!! I got these ducks and chickens at Jeffries Farm Center. I don't know how old they are they are all different sizes and shapes. I need some advice on age. Like when do they get wing feathers, back feathers, when do they start laying? I just need some major milestones so I can guess how old they are. I've had them since the march 18 and so I know they are at least 8 or 9 weeks old. I have had them in a coop and a duck house for a month now and have had a couple losses already. I have a sick chicken in my laundry room that is a Marek's victim from what I can gather. She can't stand, lays on her side a lot and has green and blue mottling on her wing skin. One wing is turning a dark yellow? Also, and I am so sad about this - I found my male pekin dead the day before yesterday when I went to let everyone out to range. No symptoms, no discharge from any orifices. He was at least 10 lbs. but still a baby. I got him at easter with the rest. He felt a little skinny. When I put him to bed he was fine. I'm heartbroken. All my ducks and chickens look fine otherwise but I'm starting to wonder if my ineptitude is causing poultry cleansing. In any case I have no drake. Are ducks like chickens, will they lay with no male? Also any ideas about why he may have expired will help. He ate the chicken food which was medicated. I couldn't keep him out of it. And of course the chickens would rather eat the duck food. Should I switch to a non-medicated food for all? Also I have a duck that is grey with what looks like a cotton ball on his head!! What the heck kind of animal is this? So many questions!

Lissa, I don't know much but I do know you need to get your ducks OFF the medicated chicken food NOW!.. yes it will kill them.. sorry to say. Non-medicated chicken food is fine if your feeding all in the same pen. I don't know much about duck food but I think it lacks stuff that chickens need.. but get rid of that other stuff now.... I hope more knowledgeable people chime in with advice!

Thanks Cochima, Does anyone know if there is a food that all poultry can eat? Or should I just seperate them? Also, my Marek's victim has been sick a week if she improves how long will it take and if she dies will it be a long drawn out affair?

lissa, You have too many problems for me to sort out, but no, chickens or ducks do not need males to lay eggs. Laying eggs is what they do!

Marek's Disease, if that is what the bird has,is not painful, but may be fast (next day) or slow (up to a month) and you must provide food and water up close or she will starve to death.

I don't know anything useful about duck management, but the duck with a topknot may be a Crested Blue Swedish??
CJR

Ducks may eat Amprolium medicated chick starter but nothing with arsenics in it such as RenOsal. Ducks require more niacin than chickens, do not give growing ducks high protein feed as it can cause wing and leg problems. Best to start them on unmedicated chick starter if duck starter is not available.Greens such as dandilions, chard etc are excellent supplements.

Thanks Robbpa and CJR for the replies yes I realize I have alot of problems this is because I have no idea what I'm doing and the learning curve is straight up into the atmosphere. I guess I'll go out and buy a couple of books. Does anyone have any suggestions as whick books I should buy that have the best info?