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Well the poultry market was brilliant. I really wanted some baby runner ducks - they were just too cute! However, I kept my head and got what I went for. Now there are 11 maran chicks in a box under a heat mat on my kitchen table. Some are standing, some are sleeping in a respectable fashion and some are sleeping face down in a worrying way but when I gently poke these ones they get up and look alright

On offer in the box is water, quinoa (some raw, some cooked til soft) and some soya flour mixed with warm water.

The heat mat as a lid is keeping them snuggly warm and they're quietly cheep cheeping away.

Any other tips?

I'd get some chick crumb for them myself

they do tend to sleep in a heap at first.. they remind me of crawling babies who fall asleep with their bums in the air...

Yep, I'd agree with the chick crumbs, especially if you have 11 of them!!

And yes, baby ducks are just tooooooo cute! But in 7 weeks they are just about the size of an adult, so the 14 ducklings that I had 3 weeks ago on a tea towel for a pic are now living in a new pen, 12ft x 12ft & that's looking too small now!

Your chicks will be quite perky in a few days & then keep your ears covered!

Thanks for the advice. They're much bigger and bolder today, lots of jumping out of their box by the stove. Partner is making a mini fire side coop for them as i write this, one with good tall sides and more running about space yet still with a snuggly small sleeping area - very swish!

my current batch of chicks are 3 weeks old today.. mostly feathered. we call them stinkers. cos they do. even if you clean em out regularly....

I have got two hens being tea cosies over some chicks with more to hatch, Im glad I dont have the stinkies in the house