DUCK HELP!

[duckychick]

So I've had my ducks outside for a long while now, when they were in the brooder their poop was normal, they ate good and were healthy. Now I rarely see them eat, and their poop is ALWAYS runny! I have an all flock pellet food that I have been using for a while because they are with the chickens, but I really don't think they are eating. I have tried giving them treats just to get something in their stomachs but they won't eat it. What do you find is the best feed for ducks that they love? And something that is safe for chickens as well. I just don't want them to be starving! I feel so bad and helpless!

 

[GitaBooks]

Ducks are known for messy droppings, so they could just be foraging more and getting more liquid in their diet. As for mixing the flocks, you could try feeding chicken layer food and supplementing the ducks with treats that have niacin in them.

I hope this helps. Best of luck!

 

[duckman4450]

So I've had my ducks outside for a long while now, when they were in the brooder their poop was normal, they ate good and were healthy.  Now I rarely see them eat, and their poop is ALWAYS runny!   I have an all flock pellet food that I have been using for a while because they are with the chickens, but I really don't think they are eating.   I have tried giving them treats just to get something in their stomachs but they won't eat it.  What do you find is the best feed for ducks that they love?  And something that is safe for chickens as well.   I just don't want them to be starving!  I feel so bad and helpless!

This is what happens to my duck when she eats a lot of watery things. Things like peas, lettuce, worms etc. Her worst diarrhea comes from eating mud/ muddy water and earthworms, that's the dark stuff that stinks really bad. Things like minnows, crickets, and mealworms produce solid poop for her, but the most solid poop comes from her pellets.

 

[Amiga]

I can see your concern - but to be sure, you need to pick them up and weigh them. You may not have to get them on a scale, but it is helpful to have a feel for their optimal weight. You can check to see if they are too bony - oh, now I need to find that chart . . .

Post 11 https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/989488/too-thin/10#post_15388238