Free Feeding Ducklings

[luckyduck956]

I have 2 three-week-old ducklings that are currently inside my house. Unfortunately I don’t have a separate barn or shed to keep them in. My house is starting to smell since they poop so much. Right now they are free feeding.

When can I start feeding them at specific times?
What times do you all use?

 

[DuckyDonna]

You better start thinking about getting a pen for them outside! They need food and water 24/7 until they are 10 weeks old. After that, they should be outside in whatever kind of secure pen/run you've provided for them and they won't need food and water at night but should have access to it all day.

Sometimes it gets really really hot here in Georgia as I'm sure it does in Texas. I will put some water in their night pens during those times but I put a basin under it to keep the mess down.

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

What are you using for bedding and what are you feeding? I have two suggestions for keeping smell down. Bed them on puppy pee pads. Just roll up and th row away once a day and put down fresh. 100 pads at HEB for under 16$. 100 pads lasts me 2 1/2 weeks, so not much more than shavings.
Feed Mazuri starter, I get mine at Steinhausers. Much, much less smell than flock raiser.
what is your watering set up?

 

[luckyduck956]

What are you using for bedding and what are you feeding? I have two suggestions for keeping smell down. Bed them on puppy pee pads. Just roll up and th row away once a day and put down fresh. 100 pads at HEB for under 16$. 100 pads lasts me 2 1/2 weeks, so not much more than shavings.
Feed Mazuri starter, I get mine at Steinhausers. Much, much less smell than flock raiser.
what is your watering set up?

This is my set up. Those are puppy pads. I’m also feeding them these pellets. Their poop usually smells after they eat their feed.

 

[luckyduck956]

You better start thinking about getting a pen for them outside! They need food and water 24/7 until they are 10 weeks old. After that, they should be outside in whatever kind of secure pen/run you've provided for them and they won't need food and water at night but should have access to it all day.

Sometimes it gets really really hot here in Georgia as I'm sure it does in Texas. I will put some water in their night pens during those times but I put a basin under it to keep the mess down.

I’m working on getting one built for them. It’s so difficult at this time to go out and buy stuff given the current situation. But yes! They will eventually move out. Just not sure when I can start putting them outside..?

 

[Isaac 0]

I’m working on getting one built for them. It’s so difficult at this time to go out and buy stuff given the current situation. But yes! They will eventually move out. Just not sure when I can start putting them outside..?

I believe many people have already responded to your other post regarding when ducklings can be let out outside permanently.

 

[Ratchnick]

You can feed 3x a day at 2 weeks of age. They can go out when full feathered. 8 weeks about.

 

[Isaac 0]

You can feed 3x a day at 2 weeks of age. They can go out when full feathered. 8 weeks about.

Yes, from Storeys guide. Really there is no need to feed three times a day unless moderate growth is desired.

 

[Ratchnick]

Yes, from Storeys guide. Really there is no need to feed three times a day unless moderate growth is desired.

The op asked if they could stop feeding free choice. The answer is yes.

 

[Isaac 0]

I'm just saying the extra work of limiting their feed intake, isn't really needed.

To the OP, Yes, ducklings stink. That's completely normal.