Bird proof bird feeder!

[Cklass90]

So I have 2 Welsh harlequin ducks who are free range 100% of the time. Well... they are in an enclosure, my whole yard is fenced but it's massive. They have a little duck house I made but I noticed they were getting through a ton of feed recently and then I realised all the backyard birds were swarming around stealing all the food!!! Any ideas how to solve this problem? Do I need to feed them if they can graze my yard? Bonus points if you can also answer if they're so free range where do I look for eggs??? They were hatched around March 5th and it's now July 19th so I'm thinking any day now? Can you tell?

 

[Quacking Pigeon]

Maybe you could feed them in the morning and only give them enough to eat (not filling up a feeder). My ducks have also been free ranging for this past week (letting them out in the morning and locking them up at night).

 

[MatthewsHomestead]

Maybe you could try something like this and put it out in the am then take it up in the evening....

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

I was going to suggest a feeder like the one mentioned above. You can also just feed them before letting them loose in the yard and then putting it away for the day.
As well, you still need to feed free range domestic birds because they are not wild and will not find everything they need in your yard.
They should require less feed than penned up birds though.
They will lay their eggs anywhere. So, it's like a scavenger hunt. You can keep them locked up a bit longer in the morning to see if they are laying yet and it might encourage them to lay in the duck house.

 

[Cklass90]

I was going to suggest a feeder like the one mentioned above. You can also just feed them before letting them loose in the yard and then putting it away for the day.
As well, you still need to feed free range domestic birds because they are not wild and will not find everything they need in your yard.
They should require less feed than penned up birds though.
They will lay their eggs anywhere. So, it's like a scavenger hunt. You can keep them locked up a bit longer in the morning to see if they are laying yet and it might encourage them to lay in the duck house.

Yeah they never get locked up though. I probably should to get then used to it as I'll probably lock them in the winter just to keep the heat in more.

 

[Cklass90]

Maybe you could try something like this and put it out in the am then take it up in the evening....View attachment 1475064

Can you use this type for ducks??

 

[MatthewsHomestead]

Can you use this type for ducks??

Yes. You can use it for any type of poultry. The idea is that it's contained, covered, automatic, and keeps everyone from crawling over each other or spilling..... In this case I can also help in not keeping the feed as "open" for other birds. And you can use almost anything to build it. A Five gallon bucket, Rubbermaid tote, trash can with lid..... Anything you can put holes and angled PVC in.......... Also keeps the feed dry on wet days....

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Yeah they never get locked up though. I probably should to get then used to it as I'll probably lock them in the winter just to keep the heat in more.

I lock mine up at night. How do you keep them from predators if they are totally free ranged?

 

[WVduckchick]

Yes. You can use it for any type of poultry. The idea is that it's contained, covered, automatic, and keeps everyone from crawling over each other or spilling..... In this case I can also help in not keeping the feed as "open" for other birds. And you can use almost anything to build it. A Five gallon bucket, Rubbermaid tote, trash can with lid..... Anything you can put holes and angled PVC in.......... Also keeps the feed dry on wet days....

And you can add caps on each pipe to block them off when its not in use.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Can you use this type for ducks??

I have a similar feeder - just not as big and it works well for my ducks. I have a large muscovy drake. He can fit his head in - no problem. He even fits his head into the chickens feeder if I let him and the opening is smaller.