[Dizzycow]

I've just candled my six Indian Runner eggs and am SO pleased that four are on their way to being ducklings! I've never hatched ducklings before, only chicks, guinea fowl and quails. Any tips on duckling rearing? 

[CameronS]

Be prepared for a worse smell than chicks!!

[Hermit]

and they can drown if they get stuck in artificial water containers no matter how shallow so dont give them bathing water until you can watch them and then take it way leaving them with a proper drinker. Lots of shavings on the floor and then five minutes later clean them out and put more shavings down and then five minutes later................ Good luck  they are great fun.

[daddymatty82]

so much mess i got splat marks all over my shed and freezer due to ducklings lol have fun

[Dizzycow]

Cheers, everyone! Advice always good. 

[Womble]

Fantastic!!

What colours will you have, or don't you know yet?   Ours are five weeks old now, and are already taller than Mum (a VERY confused bantam!).

[Dizzycow]

It's the Indian Runners. I was going to incubate the Indian Runner / Khaki Campbells, but decided not to after all. I'm very excited about having ducklings. How are the dictators settling in?

[Sylvia]

For water a paint tray with clean stones in at first does them well.

[Dizzycow]

Genius, thank you! 

[Womble]

How are the dictators settling in?

Hi DC, They're doing really well. I was over-ruled on calling them Lenin and Trotsky in the end, though I think Gadaffi Duck will probably stick! 

New names are Ginger for the rhoadie hen (to go with our Welsummers, Rhubarb and Crumble), Roger for the cockerel (kinda goes with Ginger, and also sums up his function on the farm!  ) Still working on something for the other wee chap, but open to suggestions!!

[Dizzycow]

I'm still chortling over Gadaffi Duck, best name ever! I like Ginger. Never heard of chickens called Rhubarb and Custard though! I once knew a stag called Osama Bin Laden who lived at Sheena's Tea Hut near Glenelg. Trying to attach a photo of him, lets see if it works. The only other animal name that has me hooting is Attila The Hen. Every time.

[SallyintNorth]

Loving Gadaffi Duck and Atilla the Hen.  Can't compete with those.  (Mental note, gonna TRY!  Give me time!)

It took me a while to get the hang of chickens.  When, less than 12 months after the first batch, I brought my 11th pullet home, I realised that of the first 10 I'd bought only 5 were still alive.

So I called her Arfer.  'Arfer chance o' living.

[Dizzycow]

I like Arfur. What about Eggwina? Artemis Fowl?

[Womble]

LOL!  Somebody just came yesterday to collect our spare peahen, who they're going to call "Princess Pea", (after Shrek I think?).

I also just found out that Mr Blue, our peacock used to be called something else before we had him........ which now makes him "The Peacock formerly known as Prince!!" 

[northfifeduckling]

Dizzycow, I'm so jealous. We only had ducklings once and it was an absolute joy. They need heat for quite a few weeks and you will have to watch out for sparrowhawks - so let them out as late as you can possibly bear the smell....
I don't know where you live but if near Fife would by any chance consider selling us an Indian Runner girl later on at all? I know you shouldn't even speculate before they are born but no harm  aksing  . I would love to surprise my daughter with one for herself on her birthday...
I hope all goes well!!