How much to feed ducks? THEY'RE FAT!

[AmberCamilia]

Hey everyone. I find myself trying to answer at least a hundred duck-related questions a day, and sometimes I just have to get some help from you all. Thank goodness for this site!

So, I currently have four ducks outside in the coop (the other one is inside with me -- she's recovering from bumblefoot). I decided to cut them down on feed and try to put them on a healthy diet. I first tried 7 ounces for each duck a day (that was a major fail), then I tried 8, then 9, then 20... and now I'm giving them an unlimited amount once again

Each time I went to feed them (I like to feed three times a day) they were pretty much BEGGING for food. Now, they do get to forage, but they have a very limited area. Their current run is 8x16, but the majority is covered in hay and the rest is their pool set-up. I couldn't stand all the mud (terrible drainage area), so I covered the ground with hay. By the way, does anybody have any tips on that?

Basically, unless they have a completely unlimited supply of feed, they begin to panic and run around like crazies. They are definitely overweight, so I do expect them to act this way AT FIRST, but not ALWAYS. How can I cut them down, and exactly how much should each duck get? I'm getting six more at the end of this month, so I really need to figure out how to save some money on their feed.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Pyxis]

Just out of curiosity, what breed do you have and what are their weights? What are you feeding them as their primary diet? Are they fully grown or are they still growing? If you look at or feel their keel (breastbone), which of these pictures would you say best represents them?

 

[AmberCamilia]

Just out of curiosity, what breed do you have and what are their weights? What are you feeding them as their primary diet? Are they fully grown or are they still growing? If you look at or feel their keel (breastbone), which of these pictures would you say best represents them?

View attachment 1260440

Three pekins, one Blue Swedish and one Black Swedish. I'm not sure about their weights. Their primary diet is DuMor 16% layer crumble. I give them veggies every now and then, but probably not as much as I should (not everyday). They're fully grown -- one is a year old and the rest will be a year old next month. I'll have to get back with you about their keel.

 

[chickens really]

Pekin are prone to getting over weight so a Turkey finisher feed works well.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Maybe with spring coming you can cut back a little on feed since there will be bugs etc for them to eat too.

I have a hard time cutting feed back with my layers since I know they need good nutrition to help keep those eggs coming and to keep them healthy. With a flock of 14 Water fowl and 28 chickens They go through 200lbs of feed a month. Sounds like a lot and if I didn't live on the side of a mountain I could have some over weight ducks too but mine get a lot of exercise daily going up and down the hills here. So can your have any outside of the pen time? Maybe adding so extra exercise for them would help. Like was mentioned Pekin do get over weight and that isn't good for the females that are laying. Maybe start adding some veggies to their diet daily and cut back small amounts of feed weekly until you see they are losing weight. When my Dachshund was having to be on steroids for a back injury my vet suggested adding green beans to his food to help fill him up since steroids make them so hungry and we didn't want him over weight with already having a back problem. I search the gro store for lettuce and things like that marked down to feed to my birds.

 

[BantyChooks]

I am having the same issue. My 9 ducks are eating the same amount as 25 chickens in a day and I have trouble even feeling their keels. They aren't laying, they're about 10 months old.

If I dare to let them run out of food for even a few hours they act like I am starving them to death.

 

[chickens really]

I am having the same issue. My 9 ducks are eating the same amount as 25 chickens in a day and I have trouble even feeling their keels. They aren't laying, they're about 10 months old.

If I dare to let them run out of food for even a few hours they act like I am starving them to death.

Your in Canada..Get Duck finisher and mix with Old style scratch grain at 25%.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I really don't mind if mine are over weight some in winter because the extra fat helps them through the cold weather. I can't put any weight on mine, My Runners are very slim and my Buffs who run with them are in good weight too.

 

[BantyChooks]

Your in Canada..Get Duck finisher and mix with Old style scratch grain at 25%.

What exactly will the scratch grain do? That's pretty much just empty calories, yes?

 

[BantyChooks]

I really don't mind if mine are over weight some in winter because the extra fat helps them through the cold weather. I can't put any weight on mine, My Runners are very slim and my Buffs who run with them are in good weight too.

I'm fine with them eating like tanks in winter, but it gets a bit old in summer.