Do You Wet the Feed the First Few Days?

[Knucker Hatch Farms]

Hi happy duck people,

I'm expecting my first set of ducklings this week and trying to get my mind past the chicken curve and around the duck curve.

I've read in a few places that the feed should be wet down enough so that it forms a ball in your hand. Do you all typically do this, and for how long do you continue to add liquid to the chick feed?

Thank you! Can't wait!!!

Warm Regards,

Mama Knucker Hatch

 

[kelseygirl707]

I have never wet my ducklings feed, but maybe I'm weird

 

[satay]

Nope have never wet there feed.

 

[Bryanccfshr]

I just brooded my first flock and they are 8 weeks old. never thought of wetting the feed, They ate the crumbles dry and did just fine.

 

[katharinad]

I've ground up the food and did make a mush (thick soup) out of it using vitamin water with electrolytes. I've also put a small cup of ground up dry feed next to it. That was for the first 2 days only. After that is was ground food and the vitamin water. A week later I stopped grinding the food. At that time I did also start to give them blended peas. A week after that no more blending either. I feel that this gives them a very good start.
Katharina

 

[goosedragon]

Quote:
I would NOT wet their feed it just encourages them to put too much feed in their bill which results in them rushing to the water to wash it down or out before they choke to death. that is also the reason I like crumbles better than mash for feed.

 

[Bleenie]

I've also never wet the feed, they eat it dry and ive never had a problem. when you wet the feed it will sour in a short time(especially in a warm brooder!) so whatever they don't eat you have to toss out... just seems wasteful to me, especially when they'll eat it dry just fine.

--chick/poultry starter isn't very cheap either!

 

[duckyfromoz]

What I normally do is sprinkle just a tiny bit of food in the water for the first day. That way those who arent up to eating the dry crumbles still have something to eat in the water. Usually my ducklings get the food a bit damp anyway as i have the food and water next to each other for the first few days too.