How much do you feed your ducks?

[LCasselman]

I have three ducks that free range in a fenced in open area. The pond is large (probably 50' x 30' roughly) with a fair amount of grassy dry area as well. I've been giving them Duck Grower, but I think chipmunks or mice are "assisting" them with eating it. I can't imagine three ducks ate a full 20 gallon feeder in 4 days... What I'm wondering is whether so few ducks in such a large space would be able to forage enough on their own? I hate paying to feed the wildlife and not the ducks! Lol. Thanks!

 

[needlessjunk]

I only feed mine 2-3 times a day. The wild birds and my dogs help themselves to it if I leave it out all day. So they get fed first thing in the morning and in the evenings. I will also put down food when the start yelling at me because they want more throughout the day. I have 5 ducks and 3 chickens and they eat about 50lbs of food every 3 weeks. They free range my back yard all day and eat plenty of grass and bugs but they need their pellets too. Domestic ducks don't know and haven't been taught how to successfully forage for all their food.

 

[TLWR]

We feed the wild bird population, but they go easy on the duck/chicken food. It is in their pen and after one bump into the electric fence, my dogs will not go near the pen, so the dogs don't snack on it.
We did have baby opossums at one point snacking on it, but they have been relocated.

Our 50lb bag lasts 4 ducks and a chicken about a month.

I'd put some out and keep an eye on what is eating it.

 

[DisneyDuckies]

I have 3 ducks. I put out 2 cups in the morning and 2 cups in the late afternoon. They eat it quickly in the morning but normally only eat 1/2 of what I put out in the evening. I used to leave it full the entire day but I have also had an issue with my dogs eating it. The dogs and ducks free range during the day My babies will telll me if they want more. Its so funny.

 

[milkweeds]

hello.............I just got 4 pekin ducks.....I am the type that always thinks my animals will go hungry...and much of the food has gone to waste with dampness and spillage.....I came in here to see if I could really afford to feed them and I see you ladies are feeding your ducks like chickens....could you please tell which type of CUP you are feeding your ducks...a table cup....or a measuring cup....how big is this CUP of food....

 

[Free Spirit]

I have 4 ducks, 1 drake, and 2 geese. I feed them just under 2lbs into a bucket first thing in the morning. They usually clean it up within a couple of hours. Then about 1-2 hours or so before dusk I give another 1-1/2 pounds. I usually have a little left over when they go into their house at dark. Then I remove the bucket so as not to attract nocturnal scavengers when I lock them in. All total they get approximately .5 (1/2) pound of feed per bird in addition to what they may forage. Some days they eat it all and some days they eat less because of foraging. So your looking for a healthy balance.

With Pekin ducks it's good give them enough food but not too much. They are a heavy breed that can be prone to leg problems if allowed to get to fat. About 1/3 pound per bird per day is a good guideline.

Figure out what you need per day and not be feeding the neighborhood critters. Begin by giving what you think is a fair amount of feed. Then start giving them less and less until you figure out what they will clean up within a 1/2 hour to 1 hour both morning and evening feedings.

For example: if you have 4 ducks then start with about 1 pound in the morning and another 1 pound in the evening. If they don't clean up either feeding (am or pm) within an hour then the next day give 3/4 pound per am/pm feeding and see how that works. Adjust up or down until you find what seems to be the "right" amount.

You will likely have to make seasonal adjustments. In the winter you may need a bit more and in the summer you may need a bit less.

 

[Amiga]

If you can get ahold of a copy of Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks, there is a table that displays approximately how much different ducks need for food, depending on their size, age, whether they are laying, etc.

 

[cayugaducklady]

I have three ducks that free range in a fenced in open area. The pond is large (probably 50' x 30' roughly) with a fair amount of grassy dry area as well. I've been giving them Duck Grower, but I think chipmunks or mice are "assisting" them with eating it. I can't imagine three ducks ate a full 20 gallon feeder in 4 days... What I'm wondering is whether so few ducks in such a large space would be able to forage enough on their own? I hate paying to feed the wildlife and not the ducks! Lol. Thanks!

Wild birds love to raid the feeders. I had a problem with chickadees raiding but either raptors got them or my ducks got them.