Duckling that over eats

[Ducklover7]

Hi, so I have a week and a half old WH duckling that over eats when ever I give her food. I give her 4-5 small meals a day. I previously had a Cayuga and we didn't have this problem with her, I think it's because with the Cayuga we had her food with 24/7. How can I stop my duckling from over eating and puking it up, and is there any consequences if I can't make her stop that will affect her when she grows up? Please tell me what to do!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

What aren't you keeping food available at all times? It should eat when it needs to. Growing poultry shouldn't be restricted as far as a good starter grower ration.

 

[chickens really]

Keep food out 24/7....Ducks are meant to forage all day...Have feed and water at all times...

 

[Ducklover7]

Do I just put the food back in her brooder 24/7? When I try she just keeps eating and throws up the food. Should I just leave the food even if she won't stop eating?

 

[chickens really]

What kind of Duck? What type of feed?......Do you wet the feed?

 

[Ducklover7]

Welsh Harlequin, I do wet her food, only a little though.

 

[Pamzie]

I just changed the bedding in my brooder from pine shavings to hemp shavings. My ducklings seem to want to eat it.
Will it hurt them? They are two weeks old now.

 

[Pyxis]

If she's really gulping it down like that, it's because she's really hungry. She'll stop doing that once she feels she is getting enough food. Perhaps try wetting it down more at first when you are leaving it in 24/7 so she's not choking on it when she's eating it.

I just changed the bedding in my brooder from pine shavings to hemp shavings. My ducklings seem to want to eat it.
Will it hurt them? They are two weeks old now

I'd probably switch back. The hemp itself probably won't hurt them, but I'd be worried about things like impacted crop resulting from them eating it.

 

[Pamzie]

If she's really gulping it down like that, it's because she's really hungry. She'll stop doing that once she feels she is getting enough food. Perhaps try wetting it down more at first when you are leaving it in 24/7 so she's not choking on it when she's eating it.



I'd probably switch back. The hemp itself probably won't hurt them, but I'd be worried about things like impacted crop resulting from them eating it.

I switched because the pine shavings were soaked 1/2hr after being changed. They seem like they have stopped. Maybe it was just because it was new for them?

 

[Miss Lydia]

I'd place a tray of some kind under your waterers to help catch the splashing water.