help again?

[Duck mommy 2019]

they forage all summer and get a lot of vegtables daily so we only give them about a 1/2 cup of food each a day, how much should they be getting in winter? (we tried free feeding but they make to much of a mess and we don’t want rats so they need to be fed outside the coop once-twice a day, how much food each time?)

and if they don’t swim all winter, will it be dangerous to let them swim all day right away again once it’s warm enough (like how ducklings can’t swim because they don’t have waterproof feathers and need to swim a little bit at a time)

and how old are ducklings when they are fully feathered? (ours are 7+ months and fully feathered i’m asking because we might get more in spring)

and how do i keep them from getting muddy so fast?

 

[Kiki]

How many ducks total are you only feeding 1/2 cup of feed to?

 

[Duck mommy 2019]

How many ducks total are you only feeding 1/2 cup of feed to?

1/2 cup per duck

 

[Ratchnick]

What breeds?

 

[Duck mommy 2019]

pekin and khaki campbell, rouen

 

[sourland]

If you do not feed ad lib (which is generally best) try feeding twice a day - as much as they will clean up in a twenty minute period.

Generally mature ducks retain oil levels in their feathers so should have no problems when reintroduced to swimming. You could also provide tubs of water periodically so that they keep themselves clean.

Full feathering varies depending upon the breed and time of year.

Ducks and mud = a match made in heaven. Ain't gonna change if they have access to soil and water.

 

[Ratchnick]

In lbs per day per duck

.35 for kc
.4 rouen
.45 pekin

 

[quackiemama]

I let my ducks swim in the winter as long as it is above freezing. You are not letting them swim at all in winter?

 

[Duckfarmer1]

Well..remember, maraland may be warmer than where she is..it’s snowing here in NWPA now...if my ducks choose to swim..they can go for it..but once they are in the barn...we plan to let them outside everyday, etc..but the water we will provide will be for their heads...it’s a barn full of farm animals I can’t have duck mess everywhere..plus...it’ll freeze fast...and we are already paying to heat the barn, the lighting the waterer, the giant tubs, etc....from the many duck fa farmers I have spoken with...all ducks need is to wash their head..please farmers..tell me if this is wrong

 

[Duckfarmer1]

It’s snowing here in NW PA and many ducks are swimming...they can swim as long as they want until they are in the barn...no swimming in the barn...we have tubs in there that will have giant holes on them big enough for several ducks to get many heads in at once..but not bodies...I read about it on here..we have farm animals..plus..with a swimming pool in the barn it would be frozen hay everywhere with poop....all ducks need is to get their whole head in to wash themselves off....the barn is heated..the water is heated, lighting, heated tubs...windows.....for ventilation...and they’ll get out every decent day..as for food..we have 43. I plan to feed twice daily with a few feeders to avoid craziness...this is because most of mine are pekins and if I leave feed in all day they’ll never stop..as for measuring...I tried really hard to stick to it for awhile...but with different breeds, and different sexes, unless you separate them..there’s always going to be somebody underfed..just try to watch for that..another reason I am going to feed them twice..I have control... good luck