Duckling Feed and 1 Million Other Questions

[paraisomistfarms]

Hi everyone!

I'll start off by saying that I am super new to BYC, and equally new to having ducks! We decided to build a chicken coop and it was about ten minutes later that I decided to add ducks into the mix. Maybe not the best impulse decision, but now I have 3 ducklings (3 weeks old) and 10 chickens (4 months old) arriving on Saturday! I have a million questions that I would love any level of advice, feedback, or input on!

1. What do you feed your ducklings? I have had mine on a 21% 'Duck and Goose Starter' since they hatched, and am wondering how long they should be on this feed? For about a week I have been supplementing their diet with lettuce, peas, a bit of banana, and some oatmeal. Just in tiny amounts, of course, but they seems to love the treat! In the book I've been using as my duck bible, it said I should be rationing their feed to 3x daily now which the ducklings seem to hate -- they're rooting through the shavings in the brooder a lot, and go mad when I walk by! I've scaled back the amount they get so they at least finish what they have, and then I try to only add more on the suggested 3x times a day schedule. Anyways, they're HUGE and I'm wondering if I shouldn't be feeding the 'Starter' anymore? When should I drop the protein content?

2. The ducks are going to be living in the same coop as the chickens, which I've read can be very successful with the right amount of space. Our outdoor coop is huge, and the indoor space is also quite roomy, so I'm sure they'll get along swimmingly. Ha. I'm wondering when the ducks are okay to start eating the same feed as the chickens, as this impacts my decision regarding when to move the ducklings outside in the coop with the chicken flock.

3. Which leads into another question -- when do you usually move your ducklings outside? Mine are in the house in a brooder, and it is working really well! I have a great system for water so the bedding is staying dry and clean, and I only have to clean the brooder once a day. BUT the ducks are getting big and they are definitely getting to be more work! Haha. I live in Alberta, Canada so temperatures here are still dropping to around 0c every night, and are up to anywhere between 10c-18c during the day. Our coop is fully insulated and has a heat lamp, and the outdoor run is completely fenced and partially covered (fully fenced on top, but with a roof overhang across half of the space). I was planning to put the ducklings out in about 10-14 days, when they are 4.5-5 weeks old. Is this alright? Is there a good way to transition them?

4. Annnnddddd with transitioning them in mind, is there a good way to introduce ducks and chickens? I come from the wonderful world of horses where you introduce horses carefully to a new herd. Are there any precautions or steps I should take to the make sure the ladies get along great?

5. Finally, on the topic of the ladies, I have yet to determine the sex of my three ducklings. I have heard mixed reviews about keeping a male duck in with chickens -- it sounds like it depends on the male duck himself and his general personality and sexual prowess. Ha. I am waiting to sex the ducks based on their voices (I don't feel comfortable venting them), so only time will tell. At what age do male ducks reach sexual maturity? In another words, if I have a male duck (or god forbid, two or three), at what age do I have to worry about him (or them) being assholes to my chickens? Stupid me is attached to these stupid little ducks regardless of their sex, so this is a future problem I might have to address. I know I won't be able to bring myself to just eat the drakes! Haha. Any advice surrounding drakes and hens? Is there a chance they'll co-exist without damaging the hens?

Okay, phew... I am out of questions. For now.

Thanks a bunch!

 

[Ratchnick]

You can start dropping their protein now. Also If you feed 3 times a day you could give them vegi snacks in between, especially if they are still on 21%. Be sure you give them enough so there is still food in the bowl 20 minuets after you feed. They can go out for good at about 6 weeks when fully feathered. You can start hardening them off like a plant at this point.

 

[paraisomistfarms]

You can start dropping their protein now. Also If you feed 3 times a day you could give them vegi snacks in between, especially if they are still on 21%. Be sure you give them enough so there is still food in the bowl 20 minuets after you feed. They can go out for good at about 6 weeks when fully feathered. You can start hardening them off like a plant at this point.

Oh awesome! That's great to know. Now what do I do with 25lbs of 21% starter? Ha! I guess I need more ducklings. Just kidding -- three is more than enough!

 

[Ratchnick]

You can cut it with oatmeal, up to 25%

 

[paraisomistfarms]

You can cut it with oatmeal, up to 25%

Oh wow! I had no idea. I will definitely do that until I can make it to the store to buy a lower protein feed. Thanks!

 

[Miss Lydia]

After duck goose strarter just switch to duck pellets or an all flock feed which has everything ducks need and you never have to change again. Just put oyster shell out when you begin to get eggs. And you don’t have to cut their feed. But since your offering them other things they do need grit so they can grind their extra food up. You don’t need it with their starter just when adding other food. Does your book say why to only feed 3x a day? Never ever heard that actually your ducklings need to have access to food and water 24/7 until they are 5-6 weeks then they can go over night with out both. But right now they are doing the most growing ( can you tell) and need a lot of nourishment.

 

[Isaac 0]

Hi everyone!

I'll start off by saying that I am super new to BYC, and equally new to having ducks! We decided to build a chicken coop and it was about ten minutes later that I decided to add ducks into the mix. Maybe not the best impulse decision, but now I have 3 ducklings (3 weeks old) and 10 chickens (4 months old) arriving on Saturday! I have a million questions that I would love any level of advice, feedback, or input on!

1. What do you feed your ducklings? I have had mine on a 21% 'Duck and Goose Starter' since they hatched, and am wondering how long they should be on this feed? For about a week I have been supplementing their diet with lettuce, peas, a bit of banana, and some oatmeal. Just in tiny amounts, of course, but they seems to love the treat! In the book I've been using as my duck bible, it said I should be rationing their feed to 3x daily now which the ducklings seem to hate -- they're rooting through the shavings in the brooder a lot, and go mad when I walk by! I've scaled back the amount they get so they at least finish what they have, and then I try to only add more on the suggested 3x times a day schedule. Anyways, they're HUGE and I'm wondering if I shouldn't be feeding the 'Starter' anymore? When should I drop the protein content?

2. The ducks are going to be living in the same coop as the chickens, which I've read can be very successful with the right amount of space. Our outdoor coop is huge, and the indoor space is also quite roomy, so I'm sure they'll get along swimmingly. Ha. I'm wondering when the ducks are okay to start eating the same feed as the chickens, as this impacts my decision regarding when to move the ducklings outside in the coop with the chicken flock.

3. Which leads into another question -- when do you usually move your ducklings outside? Mine are in the house in a brooder, and it is working really well! I have a great system for water so the bedding is staying dry and clean, and I only have to clean the brooder once a day. BUT the ducks are getting big and they are definitely getting to be more work! Haha. I live in Alberta, Canada so temperatures here are still dropping to around 0c every night, and are up to anywhere between 10c-18c during the day. Our coop is fully insulated and has a heat lamp, and the outdoor run is completely fenced and partially covered (fully fenced on top, but with a roof overhang across half of the space). I was planning to put the ducklings out in about 10-14 days, when they are 4.5-5 weeks old. Is this alright? Is there a good way to transition them?

4. Annnnddddd with transitioning them in mind, is there a good way to introduce ducks and chickens? I come from the wonderful world of horses where you introduce horses carefully to a new herd. Are there any precautions or steps I should take to the make sure the ladies get along great?

5. Finally, on the topic of the ladies, I have yet to determine the sex of my three ducklings. I have heard mixed reviews about keeping a male duck in with chickens -- it sounds like it depends on the male duck himself and his general personality and sexual prowess. Ha. I am waiting to sex the ducks based on their voices (I don't feel comfortable venting them), so only time will tell. At what age do male ducks reach sexual maturity? In another words, if I have a male duck (or god forbid, two or three), at what age do I have to worry about him (or them) being assholes to my chickens? Stupid me is attached to these stupid little ducks regardless of their sex, so this is a future problem I might have to address. I know I won't be able to bring myself to just eat the drakes! Haha. Any advice surrounding drakes and hens? Is there a chance they'll co-exist without damaging the hens?

Okay, phew... I am out of questions. For now.

Thanks a bunch!

We welcome you to BYC!

1. The best feed for Ducks of all ages would be either All Flock Feed, Purina Rasier Feed or a feed specifically formulated for ducks. In addition to feeding this, a supplemental source of niacin isn't a bad idea, especially heavyweight breeds that are prone to a niacin deficiency. Some niacin supplements would include Brewers yeast, nutritional yeast, a poultry vitamin, or B complex. Feeding this, there would be no need to add anything to the feed to lower the protein content.

2. Correct, most important thing is that each species has plenty of space to roam, and you have a correct ratio for each species, around one drake per five females, one rooster per twelve hens, you wouldn't want a drake mating a chicken. All the feeds I mentioned above are completely fine for chickens and ducks of all ages, once they are of laying age oyster shells or eggshells should be provided to promote strong eggshells and a healthy reproductive system. While its fine keeping chickens and ducks together in a spacious coop, I would not recommend keeping them in the same brooder inside when young.

3. Totally depends on your temps, but a good guideline to go by is when they are fully feathered so they can retain heat better and repel water more efficiently. You can let them out for little trips outside and see if they get cold, it is important to acclimate them to the temps before letting them out. Just like plants.

4. The best method, would be the no touch- but see method, so they can see each other for a few weeks, but cannot physically touch each other, after a few weeks you can let them out together and see how they do.

 

[Isaac 0]

No need to only feed 3x times a day, unless moderate growth is desired. Not really needed.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Angel wing we’re beginning to think is more genetic than has to do with protein. Now feeding a crummy diet of bread can probably attribute to that an many more health problems. All flock is for all poultry so that is a nice choice if you have a mixed flock I have a mixed flock too.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I can see limiting feed to 3x a day if you had Pekins but not for other domestics.