Help with 31 rescued Muscovy ducks

[docrox12]

I have many other types of animals but these are my first ducks. The owner died suddenly of a heart attack and friends found homes for his animals. I got 30 ducks and one goose. Most are Muscovy, two Pekin, two Roen. The friends think they were laying eggs at the man's farm. I have had them now for 4 months and have only found one egg. They have access to a .6 acre pond and 40 acres. They stay around the pond, yard, and garden. Over the summer I gave them a bit of grower but mostly they had lots of bugs and garden scraps. I have a duck house now built and will start putting them in at night when it gets colder. Right now they like to sleep on the pond. I look for eggs often and can't find any. I have been researching how much to feed them in the winter. Have found .3 lb per duck per day. That would be about 250 pounds per month. The mix of corn and grow I got from the elevator cost $52 for that much. I need to recoup some feed costs - perhaps through egg sales if I can find them. Suggestions?

 

[rjohns39]

Once you get them sleeping in their house, make sure they have fresh dry bedding and keep them in until about 9 in the am. Ducks are exceptionally good at hiding their eggs. and generally not too interested in nest boxes. 4.5oz of feed per day per bird is a pretty good ratio. I would use a balanced all flock 16% protein and offer oyster shell free choice. Also make sure they have grit available.

Also, since they've stopped laying, be prepared for no eggs until January or February. Often when ducks quit in the fall, they won't start again until spring.

 

[Miss Lydia]

My Muscovy's are through laying for the year they won't start back till next year late winter into spring. They are seasonal layers unless your in a climate where it doesn't get cold like Texas I have a friend there and her Muscovy's lay year round.

Bless you for taking in these ducks and giving them a good home.

 

[GeoGreyWolf]

If they are spending all their time on the pond, I have read many posts on here so far (learning about raising ducks), stating that the ducks will lay in the water. so there might be a ton of eggs at the bottom of your pond.

 

[docrox12]

Thanks for all of your advice. I am in Iowa so I'm guessing they are done laying. I did have them for awhile during warm weather so maybe at the bottom of the pond!
I read in Story's Guide that he feeds his boiled potatoes (as they grow lots for sale). I get veggies every Monday from a local grocery store that they would be throwing away so I could ask them to for sure save potatoes. I am trying to save on feed cost. With my other rescue animals, $50 or more a month on ducks is quite a bit.

 

[chickens really]

Thanks for all of your advice. I am in Iowa so I'm guessing they are done laying. I did have them for awhile during warm weather so maybe at the bottom of the pond!
I read in Story's Guide that he feeds his boiled potatoes (as they grow lots for sale). I get veggies every Monday from a local grocery store that they would be throwing away so I could ask them to for sure save potatoes. I am trying to save on feed cost. With my other rescue animals, $50 or more a month on ducks is quite a bit.

Potatoes are not adequate feed for Ducks...

 

[sylviethecochin]

Oats are cheap and 11% protein, as opposed to corn's 6%. So long as you soak, sprout, or ferment them, (oat hulls can irritate a bird's crop and the seeds themselves contain a few "anti-nutrients") you could trim off a few dollars.