7week Pekins are outdoors and coop trained. Proud Daddy

[Bryanccfshr]

My first ducks are doing great I moved them outside in their big pen last night(about 1000 sq feet under juniper trees) Today I started them on IFA pellet feed that they prefer over the starter crumble and they made me proud tonight. Let me explain, last Saturday I completed there little 4x4(there are two males and two females) duckhouse. I constructed it well with windows doors and good ventilation. Since then I have been playing duck herder every night to get them into the night house. Tonight I went out at dark and the ducks were not in the pen, as I approached the duck house I heard them yacking at me. I closed the door and walked inside. Good ducks!! They hate me to hold them or pick them up so I am happy they figured this out quickly! Instead of several minuted chasing screaming ducklings tonight was less stressful for me and the little Pekings. I am glad they are learning the safe place.

As for the feed I am switching them from 24% gamebird crumbles mixed with oats(to cut the protien) to 20% egg layer crumbles from IFA. There feathers legs and wings are developing nicely. I amm rationing the food and letting them go without at night now as well. They are still scared of me but I can live with that. I wish I had a majority ratio of duck-vs drakes but this may work out.

 

[iluvcks]

My peking ducks are 8 weeks too. First time having ducks. Wilma and Betty. Your story sounds so familar. Ours have been sleeping in the Garage for about 3 weeks now. (addition to the coop has not been built yet.) We have 16 one year old hens, 7 silkies and 9 eight week old chicks. Trying to get everyone where they belong is a group effort. Me, DH, the kids and the neighbor kids sometimes. Its a three ring circus. Everyone escaping to where they shouldnt be. LOL

I have a trick for the ducks to get them to like you a little better. Sit quietly at their level. And have a handful or two of coy food. I know its fish food, but I read on a duck sight that they love it and its a great treat. Trust me they will eat out of your hand. I had one that decided to try to eat a flower tattoo off my wrist after the coy food was gone. It hurt and I'm a little bruised, but it was worth it. She actually let me pet her for about 30 seconds. They were nibbling all over me. So cool to be that close to them.

I miss when they were tiny and loved me. Ok accecpted me. LOL

I thought we werent suppossed to change feeds untill they are 12 weeks?

 

[duckyfromoz]

Congratulations !!

It is so much easier when you dont have to go herding evey night. Ducks can learn a routine fairly quickly- especially when encouraged with food.

 

[chickboss]

Congratulations! I hear you about the ratio. A friend encouraged me to order mine when I was using her computer to place my first chick order. She had ducks years ago and said they weren't much trouble. I thought I would be cool and order 2 drakes and two ducks. LOL, well, some serious reading while waiting for them to arrive pointed out the error of that reasoning. So the only solution, because we didn't want to cull any of our first ducks, was to buy 15 more ducks! LOL. 10Kahkis and 5 Pekins just to bump up the order. I REALLY hope we can sell some eggs cause we may be swimming in them.

Sounds like you are doing a great job! Ducks are so much fun!

 

[Bryanccfshr]

Thank you everyone. My wife is adamant against culling and I am just to busy to go through the brooding process again right now so no more (for now but some Khaki cambells would be nice). I wanted to get them off crumble to eliminate waste and with the leftovers and greens they get from weeding and work meal leftovers and my refrigerator I went with 20% to be safe. I am limiting there kibble to 2 1/4 pounds a day(about 8-9 cups!) They are usually wanting more but I am trying to keep them in active condition. I measure out their rations the night before and give more than half in the moring and the rest when I get home from work. During the day they poke around the pin probing tree roots and chasing who knows what.