Feeding Ducks

[dirtdoctor]

Ok, we started out with 3 day old Khaki Campbell ducklings, after months of feeding and mucking out there box. They have finally graduated to the out doors, Sharing a huge yard with a dozen chickens. As time has progressed, a predator ate the only male, and last week one of the females just layed down, and DIED. (under the front poarch steps, Causing me to semi-destroy the steps to get to her).

In my searching for a reason for a 3 month old duck to croak. I keep going back to the chicken feed. We have used DUCK feed for ever on them, and several weeks ago started the weaning off of DUCK Feed and now they all eat the chicken lay- pellets. CEPT the duck gets some extra treats, Broccoli, veggies, and various bugs that get in her way.

Is there some connection with Chicken feed that is not good for DUCKs?

Any suggestions are appreciated.

Jack

 

[rainplace]

Sorry to hear about your girl.

From everything I have read, the chicken lay pellets should not have had anything to do with it. Have any of your chickens been sick?

 

[dirtdoctor]

80 other birds do well on the chicken feed. I was wondering if the duck had found some tomato plants to eat.. I hear that they can harm a duck.

Jack

 

[rainplace]

I had heard that tomato plants were bad for ducks too, then in a few threads around these forums people mentioned their ducks devouring entire tomato plants.

I wish I were more help.

 

[Bleenie]

Maybe it was something genetic? that just caused her to shut down. she also could ahve eaten something i guess.

i've never had a problem with the ducks eating chicken food. everyone did well on it. but as prices have went up i switched everyone over to "all purpose poultry" it's more commonly sold for ducks than anything. everyones done great on that too.

i dont know if thats sold everywhere but you could try looking it up online to check & maybe switch to that if you really think it might be the feed. if your other hen is still doing fine though i wouldnt worry about the feed.

*((and for anyone that may have a problem with the name of it, i am not saying its truly all purpose, that's just the name of it. like i said, it's mainly sold for ducks.))*

 

[purplepillbug73]

Have you heard of hardware disease? Its when ducks eat little pieces of metal like nails or coins. The "hardware" then leaches toxins into the duck's body, poisoning it over a period of days or weeks. Then the duck will usually have problems walking and just keel over. The duck sometimes loses interest in eating or will isolate itself from the flock.

 

[Duck Keeper]

Sounds like she swallowed something nasty.

I was thinking maybe she was eggbound, but isn't three months a little too early for egg production? ;

 

[Sebrightmom]

Sorry to hear about your girl. I am still learning about ducks. My ducks love my tomatos. THey are always in my garden eating them. They all seem just fine. I hope you find out what it was.

 

[bufforp89]

I had a khaki campbell die like that too. She was 6 months old. She was laid up for maybe a week not walking or eating much. I thought she was egg bound at first but she continued to lay an egg everyday until she died. I am suspecting hardware disease like purplepillbug73 mentioned.

 

[seaneduck]

I sure hope tomato plants aren't bad for ducks! My two male calls LOVE tomato greens. I pull off a few handfuls of tomato leaves for them every day, and they devour them. (Makes their poop a lovely dark green) but they haven't seemed any worse for wear. Been doing that all summer long.