do I offer feed to free range ducks

[goslingluv]

I have a welsh harlequin and cayuga 6 weeks old along with an african gosling 6 weeks. They all free range about an acre of plentiful grass and the weeds and bugs they like they stay out from sun up to sun down then get locked up. Should they still be fed flock raiser on top of all their grazing? Gosling and welsh look great but my cayuga is really big and seems to over eat she so agressive with he grass and bugs shes always eating she look extra waddly and kinda lumpy and sloppy i worry shes going to be a unhealthy. I feed lunch and dinner on top of their grazing is this ok?

 

[TSOWOATNKC]

I give both feed and forage. I’m of the opinion that they’re going to eat what they need.

 

[sylviethecochin]

Can you post a picture?

My ducks are pigs. They tend to eat what they're given. That said, ducklings need feed to develop properly. I don't usually feed my free-ranging adults (except in winter,) but I feed ducklings freely until they've got belly feathers, and then twice a day, as much as they want for half an hour, until they're fully grown.

 

[Hope Hughes]

I free range my ducks and still feed them, but we dont have them on the pond. If they have a pond that has fish and bugs I dont see the need for feed unless there is a deficiency somewhere. When it rains alot here we flood in places and the ducks will forage in those ponds and wont eat the feed but just before bed, and really not alot then. You could always test and see how much they eat or if they eat it at all. ​

 

[pikelake]

Mine live on a marshy lake and find 100% of their own food, although I give them a couple mouthfuls of scratch grains by hand sometimes to keep them friendly. If they're in a field, I would still give them food, just not as much as they want; if I let them my ducks would stuff themselves so full of pellets that they wouldn't have to eat for days.

 

[goslingluv]

I will continue to offer feed. Off topic my gosling has started trying to drown and injure my cayuga when shes in the pool only in the water is this normal?

 

[Susan12]

I feed mine a small amount , especially in winter.

 

[Miss Lydia]

What do you mean like play acting mating or being aggressive? When mating they can make you think they are going to drown the one they are on top but I've never had one drown yet.

 

[goslingluv]

My drake and my gosling keep grabbing the back of the cayugas neck and push its head under water or biting its back or grabbing its wing but only when they are in the water i cant be sure of the cayugas gender yet at only 6 weeks but feel like this is a sign its a female. The cayuga is ALOT bigger and bolder but still gets bullied in the water..?

 

[Lil Drake40]

Better watch them closely 2 ganging up on 1can mean drowning.