A few important things I need to know about my ducks.

[Bamabexchicks]

I feed mine red wheat. I live in greece so I cannot tell you where to buy it.

mine were about 6 mo when started to lay.

Wow! Greece! Cool, I will do some research to see if I can get it here! Thanks.

 

[Bamabexchicks]

I will never forget the morning after my wife went overboard with meal-worms for the Spring Ducklings and fed ~2 lbs to 14 ducklings! The stench was unbelievable, the paint was peeling off the walls, the potted plants grew legs to run away…
Careful with any kind of insect or animal protein, too much and the result is a disaster.
However fermented food - bacterial protein - smells ok (can't say good, all poop smells bad), maybe the vinegar reduces the stench, idk…

They are still on starter crumbles at 20% protein. What should my goal be as far as protien as they grow up?

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

They are still on starter crumbles at 20% protein. What should my goal be as far as protien as they grow up?

18-20% for ducklings, 15-17% for ducks is the rule of thumb. Of course its best for the ducks if they forage and choose their diet themselves. To my surprise 17 ducks are enough to keep the grass short on ~ 10,000 sqft. I did not know that ducks eat that much grass and clay and weeds. For treats, veggies and fruits are better than meal-worms, but its hard to explain that to ducks. After one dose they are hooked for life!

 

[CindyinSD]

I’m guessing the runny green poo is the result of their having experienced fresh fiber for the first time. I noticed this when giving my goslings spinach leaves (Boy oh boy did they go CRAZY for that!) The poo will, I speculate, continue being green but will become more formed as their digestive systems become adjusted. This is what I’ve seen with my goslings. Thus far. I saw all that foul runny green stuff and decided they needed something less “hot”. I gave them dry grass from the outside and the poop firmed up.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

I’m guessing the runny green poo is the result of their having experienced fresh fiber for the first time. I noticed this when giving my goslings spinach leaves (Boy oh boy did they go CRAZY for that!) The poo will, I speculate, continue being green but will become more formed as their digestive systems become adjusted. This is what I’ve seen with my goslings. Thus far. I saw all that foul runny green stuff and decided they needed something less “hot”. I gave them dry grass from the outside and the poop firmed up.

Spinach! - Interesting, must try that with my ducks. Currently they are crazy for dandelion leaves and flowers.

 

[CindyinSD]

Spinach! - Interesting, must try that with my ducks. Currently they are crazy for dandelion leaves and flowers.

LOL Spinach was what I had. I bought some for myself so I could beat myself every time I looked in there and saw the spinach I ought to have started eating... I felt much better after I learned that the goslings loved it so much more than I ever could have...

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

LOL Spinach was what I had. I bought some for myself so I could beat myself every time I looked in there and saw the spinach I ought to have started eating... I felt much better after I learned that the goslings loved it so much more than I ever could have...

Yes that's the advantage if you have ducks: No more veggies to throw away! Limp? Just cut it up, feed it to the ducks and let them transform it into delicious eggs.

 

[Bamabexchicks]

I’m guessing the runny green poo is the result of their having experienced fresh fiber for the first time. I noticed this when giving my goslings spinach leaves (Boy oh boy did they go CRAZY for that!) The poo will, I speculate, continue being green but will become more formed as their digestive systems become adjusted. This is what I’ve seen with my goslings. Thus far. I saw all that foul runny green stuff and decided they needed something less “hot”. I gave them dry grass from the outside and the poop firmed up.

18-20% for ducklings, 15-17% for ducks is the rule of thumb. Of course its best for the ducks if they forage and choose their diet themselves. To my surprise 17 ducks are enough to keep the grass short on ~ 10,000 sqft. I did not know that ducks eat that much grass and clay and weeds. For treats, veggies and fruits are better than meal-worms, but its hard to explain that to ducks. After one dose they are hooked for life!

Okay! Now I feel more equipped to address the nutrition situation here. They are not interested in eating the grass hay that I use for their bedding, and they have yet to free range in the yard with the chickens, so i haven't seen them eat green grass yet. Not sure I can catch them to get them back in their run. But they get veggies for treats on a daily basis. Now that my chickens are over their bacterial infection I will let the ducks in the yard with them.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Okay! Now I feel more equipped to address the nutrition situation here. They are not interested in eating the grass hay that I use for their bedding, and they have yet to free range in the yard with the chickens, so i haven't seen them eat green grass yet. Not sure I can catch them to get them back in their run. But they get veggies for treats on a daily basis. Now that my chickens are over their bacterial infection I will let the ducks in the yard with them.

I hope you have two ducks and no drake? - A drake with a single duck will try to get some additional satisfaction with your chickens and that usually doesn't end well for the poor chicken…
You can catch any duck with meal-worms! Trust me: Any - duck!

 

[Bamabexchicks]

I hope you have two ducks and no drake? - A drake with a single duck will try to get some additional satisfaction with your chickens and that usually doesn't end well for the poor chicken…
You can catch any duck with meal-worms! Trust me: Any - duck!

I need to get some mealworms then, they take the name Runners to heart! I do have a drake and a duck. I always thought that's what I had, now she's quacking and he whispers. Not sure how my rooster will feel about sharing his ladies either. I can always give them separate recess periods so they are not in the yard together if it presents as a problem. So far the ducks are young and so are unsure about new situations.