Feeding time!

[stephanie c]

So I feed my 3 week old duckling in the morning around 5 when he wakes up chirping, snacks between 3 and 9 and dinner at 10. Once I feed him at night he sleeps throughout the entire night without a peep but wakes up 5 am starving and crying! What can I do to make him not be so hungry and up so early? I feed him about a handful and a half at night around 10 or 11 pm.

 

[aprille218]

Keep the duck starter in front of him (free feed). He's young it's best for him to be able to eat whenever he wants.

 

[stephanie c]

Okay thank you! The problem with that is that no matter how much food I leave for him he will just eat it all right then and there. He's a little porker lol

 

[Going Quackers]

I also free feed the birds especially as young ones. Now if your doing treats, do you have chick grit for him? anything beyond basic feed they need that.

Have you seen the duckling care sticky?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/750869/raising-and-caring-for-ducklings#post_10611711

 

[stephanie c]

I give him treats like applesauce bananas lettuce carrots but he always has regular food which are the little pellets I got from the woman who gave me him. I'm pretty sure it's the chick starter

 

[Amiga]

With ducklings, if they don't have feed all the time, they will panic eat. I am not sure how you can transition him into eating normally for a duckling. And they do eat quite a bit. You have water available for him 24/7? That is also important. If you are worried about splash, look at Tweetysvoice waterer and search the archives to see creative solutions. Ducklings need water with their food, and the first couple of months they need both all the time.

 

[stephanie c]

Hi everyone I'm back! So my little duckling is huge within a month. No more yellow feathers! All white. When I adopted him from the school I worked at they never told me what food he ate. They only gave me a huge bag of it and now it's running out! Since I don't know what food it is how am I supposed to know what and where to buy it? The food is kind of small pellets. He is a pekin duck and about a month and a half old. Any suggestions on what duck food to feed him and where to buy would be GREATLY appreciated because his food is almost gone. Thank you!

 

[Amiga]

Lovely duck!

You need grower pellets, also called maintenance pellets. If he is a boy, regular pellets from here on out. If he is a she, then you will eventually switch to layer pellets.

But for now, grower / maintenance.

Feed stores carry them, as well as Tractor Supply if that's in your area.

There is poultry feed, and you can sometimes find specialty food like Mazuri Waterfowl. There is also something called Flock Raiser.

 

[Going Quackers]

Lovely duck!

You need grower pellets, also called maintenance pellets. If he is a boy, regular pellets from here on out. If he is a she, then you will eventually switch to layer pellets.

But for now, grower / maintenance.

Feed stores carry them, as well as Tractor Supply if that's in your area.

There is poultry feed, and you can sometimes find specialty food like Mazuri Waterfowl. There is also something called Flock Raiser.

Yep, makes some calls and explain what you need. Ducky has turned out adorable!