Duckling not eating feed

[Elenour]

Hello!

I've had my duckling for around a month now and she's growing perfectly fine, however I have my family complaining about having to feed her only her own feed and not give her few treats every now and then.
I have noticed that when I mix her pellets with cucumbers, tomatoes and what more, she eats everything except the feed. I tried only giving her feed, wet and dry but she refuses to eat it. I figured I need to change it, so I did and she still doesn't seem fond of it. I've tried crumbs and pellets but she isnt satisfied.
For me it isn't an issue, since I dont mind giving her a mix of tomatoes, cucumbers, scrambled eggs, rice and lentils but my family say its a waste of money (which it isnt ) so I'm wondering what I should do?
They've already threatened with selling her if I keep spoiling her like that, but I cant tolerate her quaking for hours when shes hungry so I give her the daily mix.

I live in Egypt too so there isnt much to feed ducks here, since people simply give them bread and leftovers.
Does anyone have any idea why my duck isnt eating her own food?

Thanks in advance

 

[sourland]

I believe she's trained you. Stop spoiling her with treats. 10% treats mixed in with her feed - nothing more. Good luck.

 

[Elenour]

I believe she's trained you. Stop spoiling her with treats. 10% treats mixed in with her feed - nothing more. Good luck.

oh boy, i guess ive been too kind ,, Will it take a while til' she eats her feed? Should I just ignore all the noise she makes?

 

[sourland]

If she is a lone duckling, part of the noise may be because she is imprinted on you and wants constant company/attention. Try providing a mirror for company.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

I agree the noise is more than likely because she imprinted. Think of it like a baby screaming for their parents. I also agree about the treats. I know a lot of people like to give treats early on, but I always wait until my ducklings are two weeks old and solidly eating their actual food first. Giving treats along with their food is like giving a kid vegetables with a plate of cake right next to it and expecting the kid to eat the vegetables. It just isn't going to happen lol

 

[Elenour]

I agree the noise is more than likely because she imprinted. Think of it like a baby screaming for their parents. I also agree about the treats. I know a lot of people like to give treats early on, but I always wait until my ducklings are two weeks old and solidly eating their actual food first. Giving treats along with their food is like giving a kid vegetables with a plate of cake right next to it and expecting the kid to eat the vegetables. It just isn't going to happen lol

Should I only feed her the feed I've bought and keep her strictly on it without any treats or so?
I gave her a tomato this morning with her feed and she only ate the tomatoes.
I just gave her feed and she hasnt touched it, just keeps picking on it

 

[KaleIAm]

I absolutely agree with the above posters - and I have experienced this myself with my ducks. They can turn into spoiled toddlers who want "candy" and refuse to eat their healthy food. My tactic was to refuse them any "candy" for weeks until they were consistently eating their pellets. My concern for my ducks was that they eat an appropriately formulated well balanced diet to avoid nutritional deficiencies - which can cause serious health issues. After my ducks were reliably eating their pellets I gave them very small amounts of treats once or twice a day as a reward for going to bed when told, or coming when called. Only after they had eaten dinner. I've never had a problem since.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Should I only feed her the feed I've bought and keep her strictly on it without any treats or so?
I gave her a tomato this morning with her feed and she only ate the tomatoes.
I just gave her feed and she hasnt touched it, just keeps picking on it

I would stop the treats and keep her on the feed until she is eating it well for a few weeks to a month. Then re-introduce the treats, but use them sparingly. Mine only get extra treats 3-4 times a week and even daily is okay if it's in very small amounts.