My 10 year old son, Andrew, talked me into odering him a pair of Khaki Campbell ducklings who arrive on Tuesday. I keep chickens but have never dealt with waterfowl.

What do I feed them? Can I use the chick crumbs that I have for my 6 week old pullets? How long would they need to stay under a brooder? Really, I need to know everything about caring for these new additions. I have lots of space and can separate them from the poultry, which seems to be recommended. Andrew will be the main carer but I need to know he is doing the right thing. Any advice would be most welcome ( or point me in the direction of a good book), Many thanks. Barbara.

Ducklings are not that difficult to take care of. The most IMPORTANT thing to remember is to keep a clean water bowl/swimming pool for them. They need to clean their bills out with water after and while they are eating and clean water is essential. We feed our ducklings the same starter feed as the chickens, but you can also buy food for waterfowl. Our ducks and chickens are kept together and don't seem to mind each other at all, so separating them is not absolutely necessary. (Although we have a chick fall in the swimming pool and drown, it was raised with the ducklings and thought it was a duck!) Raising The Home Duck Flock is an excellent book and can be bought from Murray McMurray Hatchery magazine. Hope I have been helpful. Tabitha

Dear Tabitha,

Many thanks for your advice and prompt reply. I am really looking forward to our new additions.
My question seems to have been duplicated somehow,proving I am better with birds than computers!
Thanks again, Barbara.

Ducks are not supposed to have medicated feed, and many feed mills will carry duck starter, which is also usually higher in protein. We use a regular chick fountain for duck water until they are big enough for them to get into and out of a rubber hog pan, which we use for their "puddle." They splash and dribble water, so we do not keep them with chicks at all. They will soak bedding almost instantly. They are big eaters! And they are endlessly entertaining. Good luck.