Feeding questions

[hannuh_montana]

My mallards will be 4 weeks old tomorrow, and so far, I have been leaving their food out 24/7 (aside from when we clean and refill). At what age do you start to feed them separate meals, meaning taking away their constant access to food, and how many meals a day should I be feeding them? Also, with 3 ducks, how much food should be in 1 meal?

 

[Miss Lydia]

They need food and water 24/7 until at least 5-6 weeks old then take it away at night no need to have food an water inside the coop once they move outside. I have always just kept food out during daylight hrs. They eat as they are hungry. As for how much to put out you’ll get that down as you adjust how much they’ll eat during the day.

 

[Isaac 0]

x2!

 

[hannuh_montana]

They need food and water 24/7 until at least 5-6 weeks old then take it away at night no need to have food an water inside the coop once they move outside. I have always just kept food out during daylight hrs. They eat as they are hungry. As for how much to put out you’ll get that down as you adjust how much they’ll eat during the day.

Am I supposed to wait for them to be fully feathered before moving them outside permanently?

And a side question, I'm struggling to find food for them. It looks like I'm supposed to switch them from their starter feed to a grower feed with 17.5-19% protein instead of the 20% they're currently on to prevent Angel Wing. I'd like to get away from the chick feed if possible and find a feed with the appropriate amount of Niacin (to keep from having to continue buying Brewer's Yeast). Any suggestions?

 

[Avian Allie]

I would never take my ducks water away, they need at least a dish. My ducks had feed 24/7 for almost a year and I never had fat or unhealthy ducks, but they couldn’t free range. Now that I free range I can’t feed them in the day (goats would eat and get sick off of the duck food,) but they get food every night and are healthy, happy ducks. Personally, I give them enough food that there is some leftover in the morning.

 

[GC-Raptor]

And a side question, I'm struggling to find food for them. It looks like I'm supposed to switch them from their starter feed to a grower feed with 17.5-19% protein instead of the 20% they're currently on to prevent Angel Wing. I'd like to get away from the chick feed if possible and find a feed with the appropriate amount of Niacin (to keep from having to continue buying Brewer's Yeast). Any suggestions?

Really only one choice available at TSC, Duck feed.
The other feeds are higher Protein or lower Niacin.

The feed in the middle is Duck feed 19% Protein with 60 mg of Niacin. Its also available in a 5 lb bag.
The other 2 are All-Flock feeds with adequate niacin for Ducks. Both are 20% Protein.
The Purina is a Crumble, also available in a 5 lb bag. The Duck feed and Nutrena are a Pellet.

These Starter-Grower feeds are 18% Protein and need Brewers or Nutritional Yeast. . GC

 

[Miss Lydia]

I would never take my ducks water away, they need at least a dish. My ducks had feed 24/7 for almost a year and I never had fat or unhealthy ducks, but they couldn’t free range. Now that I free range I can’t feed them in the day (goats would eat and get sick off of the duck food,) but they get food every night and are healthy, happy ducks. Personally, I give them enough food that there is some leftover in the morning.

Everyone's situation is different. I haven't put foods and water inside my coops because my ducks are slobs and would make the entire coop a mess which my chickens would not appreciate. Once mine move outside to the coop they are 5-6 weeks old and can go all night with out both.

 

[hannuh_montana]

Really only one choice available at TSC, Duck feed.
The other feeds are higher Protein or lower Niacin.View attachment 2136416
The feed in the middle is Duck feed 19% Protein with 60 mg of Niacin. Its also available in a 5 lb bag.
The other 2 are All-Flock feeds with adequate niacin for Ducks. Both are 20% Protein.
The Purina is a Crumble, also available in a 5 lb bag. The Duck feed and Nutrena are a Pellet.

These Starter-Grower feeds are 18% Protein and need Brewers or Nutritional Yeast.View attachment 2136409View attachment 2136467. GC

So in the first set of pictures, for ducks, all they have is the starter, or the pellets, nothing in between/in grower?

 

[GC-Raptor]

So in the first set of pictures, for ducks, all they have is the starter, or the pellets, nothing in between/in grower?

The Duck feed is from hatch throughout adulthood. It only comes in Pellet form.

Purinamills

 

[hannuh_montana]

The Duck feed is from hatch throughout adulthood. It only comes in Pellet form.View attachment 2136597
Purinamills

So I've been under the impression that they couldn't eat pellets when they're young. I guess that's incorrect? They've been on crumble for 4 weeks, but it's fine to go ahead and move them to pellets?