How Much Do Ducks Eat?

[TheDuckMother]

I'm currently raising Pekins, mostly for hobby and eggs. But now I wanna take it more seriously and start selling adults, ducklings, and eggs to my local farmers and online.

Before I would feed them as much as they could eat but I read that putting them on a diet can help egg productivity by 40%, plus it'll help me save money and hopefully keeps them healthier since sometimes their legs can get hurt easily due to their weight.

So I'm wondering, what is the minimum, or healthy amount of food to feed adult ducks everyday? Possibly in cups and per duck?
As I will be expanding soon and will need to also plan ahead.
Thanks in advance!

 

[Poultrybreeder]

I have heard that 8 ounces a day is the minimum amount of feed. I personally feed mine 9 ounces a day, because I only feed them in the morning, after it's gone, it's gone until tomorrow!

 

[TheDuckMother]

Thanks!

 

[Poultrybreeder]

You're welcome!

 

[jofanx]

Mine free range (muscovies) during the day and each get about a cup of feed right before bed. Sometimes they get fridge leftovers.

I had a male that came to me overweight--to the point he could't mount the girls so free choice (what his previous owners did) is not great. Once I put him on this regiment, he slimmed down and maintained a good weight.