If any of you will be thru the KC, Mo area next spring, I will have Mallard ducklings.
Heating for ducklings isn't nearly as important as keeping them dry and draft free. You can make an inexpensive brooder out of a metal wash tub, heat lamp w/ infra red bulb, something to cover most of the top of tub (plywood, OSB, Carpet, ect), wood chips a feeder and fountain waterer. Make sure you feed ducklings or goslings gamebird feed. It is the only feed high enough in protein. Without it the small bird's bones won't develope right. It should take 10-12 weeks to raise to adult birds. Cost estimate as follows based on caging for 10 weeks ( highly recomended )
10 ducklings @ 1.5# per bird per week = 150#
150# of feed @ $14 per 50# = $42
Heat lamp and bulb = $12
feed tray and waterer = $10
wood chips for brooder for 3 weeks = $8
