Duck keeping 101?

[Mule & Flash]

I just got two pekin ducks, one male, one female. Fostering them for a neighbor really, with the possibility of adoption. I know nothing about keeping poultry!

They have been using a poultry feeder and have access to feed at all times. I'd like to start feeding them at a particular time of day though, since they'll be sharing a pen with goat kids. How much should I feed them? Once or twice a day?

They mucked up their little pool of water within a day. How often should I change out the water?

Hubby already wants more duck eggs! A friend has an incubator, but how does it work? Can I put a new egg in each day?

Anything else I should know?

 

[Bills vs Beaks]

Storeys guide to ducks by David Holderread is a great way to learn about ducks( I do not work for Holderread nor do I know him. Its just a really good book).
I feed my ducks twice a day but I leave it out for them to finish at leisure so I not really sure an exact amount. According to my book a 8-9 pound duck( full grown peking size) should eat between 0.30 and 0.45 of a pound when not laying and 0.45 to 0.60 when laying.
I also change my ducky pools twice a day.

As for incubating, I suggest you look at the incubating thread( I think there is one for ducks if someone could link that for me please)

Any more questions? Hope I've been a help.

 

[chickens really]

I free feed my Ducks because they are not usually big one time eaters but grab mouthfuls during the day...
I never rely on books or the internet....Experienced people have helped me along the way and what I have learned seems to work for me .....Lots of info to read...Learn and make mistakes...? We all been there!

Cheers!

 

[dotknott]

I'll second Storey's guide! Such a handy reference!

Having someone who's done it all first hand can be super beneficial, but sometimes it can also be super bad when they give you bad advice and you don't have anyone to tell you otherwise. The same can be said about the Internet.

 

[Amiga]

I have used a combination of Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks, The Ultimate Pet Duck Guidebook, and help from some Duck Forum members. I pick up some good tidbits from the vet when we see them also.

I don't have goats, but I am going to let you know I am a little concerned about their sharing space with the kids. I am concerned the ducks are going to get accidentally injured.

Do we have anyone on the forum who has done this? Ducks don't roost like chickens, so they'd be underfoot....

 

[dotknott]

I have used a combination of Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks, The Ultimate Pet Duck Guidebook, and help from some Duck Forum members.  I pick up some good tidbits from the vet when we see them also.

I don't have ducks, but I am going to let you know I am a little concerned about their sharing space with the kids.  I am concerned the ducks are going to get accidentally injured.

Do we have anyone on the forum who has done this?  Ducks don't roost like chickens, so they'd be underfoot....

Wait you don't have ducks?! Is this a new change? I always thought you were actively keeping ducks.

 

[Amiga]

Wait you don't have ducks?! Is this a new change? I always thought you were actively keeping ducks.

Great heavenly days!!!! I know I was tired last night, and the cats were fussing - - - I must have gotten really distracted as I was typing this! Thanks for catching it! Most of the time I proofread, but whew!

 

[dotknott]

Great heavenly days!!!! I know I was tired last night, and the cats were fussing - - - I must have gotten really distracted as I was typing this! Thanks for catching it! Most of the time I proofread, but whew!

HA! I was super confused.. (I somehow missed that the original post mentioned goats, and thought.. maybe she means she doesn't have kids?)

On the goat note. YAY GOATS! (I'm hoping to add some to me homestead next year.)

One of my co-workers doesn't keep the goats and the ducks together exclusively, but the ducks have decided that the goats are not scary and wander right up to them.


On feeding: I feed once a day. In the late afternoon/early evening. The flock free ranges all day and the late day feeding gets them back just a little before sunset. They eat, have a quick post-mealtime swim (they were never warned about cramps I guess) then hang out by the deck in case I may wander outside with peas. About 15 minutes before sunset they all head to the coop. I used to feed in the AM and the PM, but stopped when I realized they weren't reliably returning.

When I moved them to a 1x/day feeding, they are eating a bit less. I imagine that's because most of the day they are actively foraging instead of having the AM meal which would have staved off the need to forage. Since you're not free ranging, this may not work for you.