Are ducks ever NOT hungry?

[Duckfarmer1]

My flock is def eating more now that foraging is at minimum. My ducks do eat more than my chickens do probably even more than my geese but my Runners use a lot more calories and energy going up an down the hill in their fenced in area is probably the reason. No feed or water inside. If you take up feed and water keep you feeders inside totes with lids to keep the mice. And rats out.

But, for real....do your ducks have access to food at all times? I think I just might have drake issues if my ducks have free feed.

I’m not that clueless, I know I need to deduce my bird numbers, because I have wayy too many drKesp

Yep..Great Birds till something goes wrong..

I personally try to look at life through rose colored glasses...meaning...nothing only has to go wrong if unless. you are so darn stuck on letting.

 

[Miss Lydia]

My birds have access to feed during daylight. I have 3 goat feeders I use so no one has to fight to eat.

 

[Duckfarmer1]

I think I’m getting my answer...if I had two ducks, I could feed them an out meal container of feed twice a day...they’ll still be hugrey. If I have ten ducks and fed the 4lbs per day...divided equally between lunch and dinner....they would still be hungrier your. As goes, if two dues used a small feeder, I think it would empty rather quickly. But since it wasn’t daily it would feel like you were feeding less. As goes for more ducks continued.

so, I’m thinking to learn that there is a simple answer to my thread..are ducks ever NOT hungry? Clearly, they are not. So, for the next new duck owners, etc....keep this in consideration. Small breeds eat less, but often make more noise. Good luck, and, try to keep track of your duck numbers are pertaining to feed....then we can compare.

 

[featherhead007]

Maybe I will raise an ant farm? they don't eat much!

 

[Jpat]

With that said..
I love Ducks too but don't keep 43..

Your so smart

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

I think I’m getting my answer...if I had two ducks, I could feed them an out meal container of feed twice a day...they’ll still be hugrey. If I have ten ducks and fed the 4lbs per day...divided equally between lunch and dinner....they would still be hungrier your. As goes, if two dues used a small feeder, I think it would empty rather quickly. But since it wasn’t daily it would feel like you were feeding less. As goes for more ducks continued.

so, I’m thinking to learn that there is a simple answer to my thread..are ducks ever NOT hungry? Clearly, they are not. So, for the next new duck owners, etc....keep this in consideration. Small breeds eat less, but often make more noise. Good luck, and, try to keep track of your duck numbers are pertaining to feed....then we can compare.

I keep feed out 24/7. So I am an outlier here. But is seems they eat less when they know it's there.

 

[chickens really]

I keep feed out 24/7. So I am an outlier here. But is seems they eat less when they know it's there.

Mine eat 24/7 too..

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Maybe I will raise an ant farm? they don't eat much!

Yes, but their eggs are so tiny! - Imagine how many egg you would have to crack for an omelette… c

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

I keep feed out 24/7. So I am an outlier here. But is seems they eat less when they know it's there.

My Duckies have access to food and water 24x7 too. And they get up several times during the night to grab a bite and drink. Then they walk back into their bedrooms and continue to sleep. Like us humons raiding the fridge over night…
If they run out of water overnight, boy there are angry quacks in the morning!

 

[Brookep2000]

My ducks eat a lot! I have 43. I tried using those large metal feeders but I found that the feed wasn’t coming down...no mater what level I put the metal hinges at. So, then, I’d come out to starving ducks and half full feeders. So now I feed them twice a day with snacks...not over 10%, and most of what I give involves veggies. We made them feeders built into the wall of the barn, and then I use two pans on the floor for the smaller ones. They get 18% protein. What I’m doing right now is I have crumbles in one bin and layers mixed with a small amount of cracked corn in another. I’ll do one scoop of each Into my bucket. I give them two 5 gallon buckets a day...give or take.

But, they are still hungry. Is this not enough?

I have 19 chickens who have a big plastic feeder and a small feeder and I only fill that like ever three days. Same food.

I’m getting off the layer now due to winter but I buy my feed like ten 50 lb bags at time of each, so, I’m using this up. I will still stick to the crumbles at 19% protein.

The feed is very similar to the ingredients of the Purina brands, just made locally.

My duck is very picky with what she eats but I figured out that she loves pedigree small dog food it gives her a lot of protein and helps her grow