Do ducks need food and water overnight?

[chemwhizzz47]

The deep cookie sheet idea is genius! I've been struggling with trying to keep the food/water mess contained, and this tip just changed the whole game for me and my ducklings ❤

 

[Mtnboomer]

We had baby ducks in the house last year and they were spoiled 24/7. Got to the point that you couldn't walk by them with a plate or any food in ur hand without the demanding peeps But once they go outside it's different.
We live in the woods so this means, raccoons, fox, weasels, coyote, etc. Our fowl get locked up securely at night. So no food or water after dark. Everyone is healthy and happy.

Are your ducks free range? I also live around many predators and have had to bear "proof" my chicken coop. This is our 1st yr with ducks. The plan was to free range them during the day and lock them up in a modified homemade dog house at night (no fenced enclosure).

 

[DuckyDonna]

I switched to no water at night with my flock of adults... Then it got HOT. So I've gone back to providing water at night, and I think my ducks are much happier with it.

I do water at night too but only if the weather is extremely hot. I tie the bucket to the wall so they can't tip it over and I also put a tray under it to help with the mess. They still make a mess.

 

[Mtnboomer]

I would like a suggestion on that as well. My concern is not for the rodents but for my ducklings flooding their house. They are 6wks now and nearly full fledged. I would like them out of the garage as soon as possible. Also, i read that they should stay on crumbles until 6mos or 1st egg. Anyone agree?

 

[DuckyDonna]

I would like a suggestion on that as well. My concern is not for the rodents but for my ducklings flooding their house. They are 6wks now and nearly full fledged. I would like them out of the garage as soon as possible. Also, i read that they should stay on crumbles until 6mos or 1st egg. Anyone agree?

That's why I tie the water bucket to their pen so they can't get in it or knock it over. I also put a tray under it and that helps a lot. But, I only give them water at night when it's really hot outside though. I'm in Georgia and it gets really hot here.

I think you are good to go on taking the food and water away at night at 6 weeks. I believe they should stay on chick starter food until 10 weeks and then move onto grower/finisher. I'm not 100% sure on that but it says on bags of Dumor at what age to give all the different kinds of feed and for what birds.

 

[quackiemama]

Mine all started to go without food and water all night around 6-8 weeks and have done just fine. Their house has good ventilation and it does not get hot like Texas here very often at all. But when it did I did provide water inside a tub so they could only stick their faces in but not their whole body. Messy little buggers

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

I would like a suggestion on that as well. My concern is not for the rodents but for my ducklings flooding their house. They are 6wks now and nearly full fledged. I would like them out of the garage as soon as possible. Also, i read that they should stay on crumbles until 6mos or 1st egg. Anyone agree?

I take mine off of crumbles at 8 weeks without a problem

 

[TashaFrancois]

This has been my experience: I do supply water in their pens in the summer and on hot days. I find that my ducks drink very little after 7pm, and no water cuts down on the mess they make in their pens. I also take up their food in the evening, since they forage and have duck food out all day. They don't seem to be suffering from hunger, and taking up the food at night has really cut down on the rats and mice problem I was having. My ducks all appear to be very healthy and happy.

Same. Though I still see those nasty little rats now and again. Just comes with the poultry I guess.

 

[bluemerle]

In hot climates no water at night is not an option - in summer it's often still 70 / 80 degrees F at night here. I only take away water when frostbite becomes a danger in the winter.

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

I do that because I use flock raiser crumbles and they stink. Last set of ducks I switched to flock raiser pellets but had a tough time keeping them fresh because of the humidity here. I like the Mazuri because their poo doesn't smell and since it designed to be fed on water it does good with the humidity. Now if I could just find something to fight goose poo smell