Best Duck feed?

[Bills vs Beaks]

Hi everyone
I am happy to say that I am now (finally) a duck mom! I have been feeding all of my ducks organic and non-gmo feed from the beginning, but am curious to get other opinions on types of duck feed. I know there are better options than Dumor (even though it's organic) but I'm stumped on whether to try a different brand like Scratch and Peck feeds, or to go an entirely different rout and do fermented feed or a fodder system. Which do you prefer/think is best and why?

I'm also in the process of building their coop, so I'd love to see some examples if you have photos!

Thanks!

I feed my ducks organic non-gmo layer feed. Natures best, I believe, from Tractor Supply
I have fermented it, but it got cold over winter and died. I havent started it again, I probably should But I always wet the pellets before I give them to the ducks, I think they tend to waste less that way. That and force of habit from duckling days
I also let mine forage in an electronet fence as well, and they go around eating bugs and leaves. They seem pretty happy to me!

What kind of coop are you thinking of doing? As I said, I let mine forage, so Ive got movable A frames, wired on the bottom. They go up on plywood in winter so the ducks can have bedding for the cold. I can take some pictures if you are interested!

Hope that helps!

 

[luvmyduckies]

I feed my ducks organic non-gmo layer feed. Natures best, I believe, from Tractor Supply
I have fermented it, but it got cold over winter and died. I havent started it again, I probably should But I always wet the pellets before I give them to the ducks, I think they tend to waste less that way. That and force of habit from duckling days
I also let mine forage in an electronet fence as well, and they go around eating bugs and leaves. They seem pretty happy to me!

What kind of coop are you thinking of doing? As I said, I let mine forage, so Ive got movable A frames, wired on the bottom. They go up on plywood in winter so the ducks can have bedding for the cold. I can take some pictures if you are interested!

Hope that helps!

I would love to see pictures

 

[Bills vs Beaks]

@luvmyduckies Here you are!
These are 8 foot by 8 foot, btw Wheeled on the bottom, and they got a rope tied on the side (which i neglected to photograph ) that I pull with my garden tractor. Very easy to move, I can even move them short distances by hand if I really have to.

the clear plastic has wire underneath. A lot of this stuff was made up we went along that stuff went on just before winter so the snow didnt come in. Before it was just wire, but the wire was left on coz I was too lazy to take it off, and besides, someting could jump on the plastic and crack it and get in! Thats my excuse, an Im stickin to it!
Also, the lil eaves over the door. Added after a snow-turned-rain storm soaked half my bedding.....

Inside
The plywood on the side can technically come off for cleaning, but I never do that....too much hassle

the door was all wire, but the plywood at the bottom was added before winter. The top part was left for ventilation. Aaaaaand then after winter the plywood stayed

The other side-plywood sheet

inside wire floor-before moving

inside wire floor- after moving

Now these are from winter, but I didnt actually take any of the houses specifically, so you have to look hard in the background So see the concrete blocks under the houses? On top of those are two sheets of 4x8 ply, and then

the bedding goes on top, even over the wire floor.

 

[luvmyduckies]

@luvmyduckies Here you are!
These are 8 foot by 8 foot, btw Wheeled on the bottom, and they got a rope tied on the side (which i neglected to photograph ) that I pull with my garden tractor. Very easy to move, I can even move them short distances by hand if I really have to.
View attachment 1055602 View attachment 1055603
the clear plastic has wire underneath. A lot of this stuff was made up we went along that stuff went on just before winter so the snow didnt come in. Before it was just wire, but the wire was left on coz I was too lazy to take it off, and besides, someting could jump on the plastic and crack it and get in! Thats my excuse, an Im stickin to it!
Also, the lil eaves over the door. Added after a snow-turned-rain storm soaked half my bedding.....View attachment 1055604
Inside
The plywood on the side can technically come off for cleaning, but I never do that....too much hassle View attachment 1055605the door was all wire, but the plywood at the bottom was added before winter. The top part was left for ventilation. Aaaaaand then after winter the plywood stayed
View attachment 1055606
The other side-plywood sheetView attachment 1055607
inside wire floor-before moving
View attachment 1055608 inside wire floor- after moving View attachment 1055599
Now these are from winter, but I didnt actually take any of the houses specifically, so you have to look hard in the background So see the concrete blocks under the houses? On top of those are two sheets of 4x8 ply, and thenView attachment 1055585
the bedding goes on top, even over the wire floor.

 

[luvmyduckies]

@Bills vs Beaks i ABSOLUTELY LOVE YOUR DUCK HOUSE WAT A GREAT IDEA. WHAT KIND OF WIRE IS THE FLOOR MADE OF? THE SPACES LOOK KIND OF BIG IN THE PICTURES LIKE THEY COULD GET THERE FEET CAUGHT.

 

[Bills vs Beaks]

@Bills vs Beaks i ABSOLUTELY LOVE YOUR DUCK HOUSE WAT A GREAT IDEA. WHAT KIND OF WIRE IS THE FLOOR MADE OF? THE SPACES LOOK KIND OF BIG IN THE PICTURES LIKE THEY COULD GET THERE FEET CAUGHT.

Thanks!
I think its 2x4 inch wire (Ill check later and mesure for sure ). They never seem to have any trouble with it, I do have bigger ducks, not sure what calls or something would be like, but mine are always fine. They dont even trip on it or anything. The wire is flat against the ground too, I pulled it real tight on the bottom when I made it

 

[bsides2007]

I feed my ducks organic non-gmo layer feed. Natures best, I believe, from Tractor Supply
I have fermented it, but it got cold over winter and died. I havent started it again, I probably should But I always wet the pellets before I give them to the ducks, I think they tend to waste less that way. That and force of habit from duckling days
I also let mine forage in an electronet fence as well, and they go around eating bugs and leaves. They seem pretty happy to me!

What kind of coop are you thinking of doing? As I said, I let mine forage, so Ive got movable A frames, wired on the bottom. They go up on plywood in winter so the ducks can have bedding for the cold. I can take some pictures if you are interested!

Hope that helps!

I would love to see your coop! Thank you My ducks are in a makeshift right now until we finish their "real house."

 

[bsides2007]

Sorry it has taken me a while to respond, and I just noticed the photos! I love your duck house Bills Vs. Beaks! Thank you for sharing!

 

[PatrickRoo]

We have gave our ducks Manna Pro Gamebird/Showbird feed in the past and they did very well on it. Now they eat Nutrena NatureWise Meatbird feed. It comes in a larger bag option and the ingredients seem to be just as good as Manna.

By the way, do not give scratch as a full-time food. Scratch is, well, it's scratch. You throw it on the ground and they eat it. That's it. Scratch is much too low in protein. It's good for the occasional treat, though!

Our ducks love freshly chopped squash and zucchini we get from a local farmer. They also love dried mealworms. (Btw, we do ferment our feed. It cuts the cost of your feed bill and the ducks love it.)