Ducks going through food ultra fast

[casportpony]

What is? A pound a day, or what’s on the chart?

It's not on the chart, but I realized that's about what they have been eating, which is more that 5% of body weight, but less than 10%.

 

[indianaducks]

My young pekins (3-4 months old) eat A TON compared to the rest of my ducks and they won't forage like my other ducks. Little piggies.

 

[Banana01]

There could be a sticky thread on this topic about how to ration food for your flock, i would be interested to know.

I have 8 muscovy adults, and 50 chickens of all ages. My muscovy flock was at one time 20 smaller ducks, but now is 8 adults as i sold them to pay for feed. 20 small ducks ate the same amount as my 8 adukts do now, i havent really changed how much i feed. I only put food out morning and afternoon. The entire flock goes through 300 to 400 lbs of food per month, or three to four 48kilo bags of corn and feed pellets. That is with free ranging grass and bugs 24/7.

Your 4 ducks are going through 50 kilos or 1 sack per month in feed. My 8 ducks and 50 chickens go through 3x what you ducks are eating. It sounds about right, assuming they eat as much as muscovys. 1-50 kilo sack per 4 ducks per month.

You could do what i do and just put food out in the morning and then again in the afternoon, making them free range grass and bugs all day. They also supplement by eating my dogs food and table scraps, so they definitely will eat whatever you are putting out for them.

 

[Angel07]

It sounds right to me. My 7 ducks go through a 20kg bag every 1.5 to 2 weeks and they’re free range all the time except for night. They even wander over to our neighbours paddocks so definitely not only on a small area.

 

[RosemaryDuck]

Do you measure out the feed at all? I have a measuring cup in my feed bag to keep track of how much my ducks are eating. That might help you avoid wasting food/overfeeding your flock.

 

[cheezenkwackers]

Is it cold by you? My ducks go through more feed when it is cold. It helps them keep warm.
Are you sure you are only feeding your ducks? I was going through a lot of feed and discovered a rat problem. Just thoughts.

 

[Stoney Meadow Maple]

Do you have the water right next to feed? I keep mine separate a little, probably 20’ or so. It’s easily accessed, but prevents gorging, they nibble some, go drink and usually get distracted by whatever before going back for seconds, I have a large rubber bowl that is usually 7/8 empty by bedtime with 10 ducks.

 

[Stoney Meadow Maple]

Is it cold by you? My ducks go through more feed when it is cold. It helps them keep warm.
Are you sure you are only feeding your ducks? I was going through a lot of feed and discovered a rat problem. Just thoughts.

Chipmunks help out, I let them because they effectively clean up spilled or excess feed, I figure less to attract less desirable pests

 

[ruthhope]

My son's 3 pekins--2 still laying females and a Male--were eating 2 cups each per day of organic duck layer pellets and they would eat mealie worm treats on top of their pellets, line they hadn't been fed for a month. He has had the change them to chicken layer pellets as duck food seems to be in short supply at the moment. The ducks don't like the new pellets but after a couple of days getting hungry, they are now eating about 1.5 cups each per day. They free range during the day.

My own flock--three muscovy and a pekin drake eat about 1.5 cups each per day pmusmeie worm treats.

All the above ducks were hatched in the spring of 2021 or, one muscovy, hatched around 06/19/21.

 

[DukesDucks]

When I discover an unusual increase in the food being consumed by the chickens, ducks, and peacocks, my first thought is rats. Are you seeing any evidence such as holes or tunnels? Might be worth setting up a field camera for several nights.
I have never had any of the poultry try to defend their food.
If it is rats, you need to get on top of it quickly.