How much to feed my ducklings and why are they not eating

[2Myanimals]

Hi. 2 days ago I got 3 ducklings (not sure how old but seem to be 2-3 weeks old from the size- no feathers but fuzz but they are not little little either) and their mom. Mom is a 'seasoned' mom as she appears like she's been a mom before!
I started making my own food from what was suggested on this site and other sources. The mom does not seem to want to eat that but is eating the 'scratch' I bought from the store (packed with chemicals I dont want her to eat). The belly on all of them seems to be full so they must be eating though I find most of the food on the ground vs the plate).

The food is consisted of oat, sunflower, very little rice, lentils, split pea, kale, green beans, eggs, cooked turnip. With the exception of the veggies, every thing else was put in the blender to make it smaller. This is not all that should go there but all I could find at the store last night . I have the scratch and the homemade food available to them free choice. Should I worry about this or is it the stress of having moved, not used to the homemade stuff and new place? I keep thinking that there must be something in the feed that the little ones can eat but then maybe it is too hard for them and they need mooshy stuff. I heard about mixing potatoes but should I be making mashed potato to mix with their feed? HELP!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Hi. 2 days ago I got 3 ducklings (not sure how old but seem to be 2-3 weeks old from the size- no feathers but fuzz but they are not little little either) and their mom. Mom is a 'seasoned' mom as she appears like she's been a mom before!
I started making my own food from what was suggested on this site and other sources. The mom does not seem to want to eat that but is eating the 'scratch' I bought from the store (packed with chemicals I dont want her to eat). The belly on all of them seems to be full so they must be eating though I find most of the food on the ground vs the plate).

The food is consisted of oat, sunflower, very little rice, lentils, split pea, kale, green beans, eggs, cooked turnip. With the exception of the veggies, every thing else was put in the blender to make it smaller. This is not all that should go there but all I could find at the store last night . I have the scratch and the homemade food available to them free choice. Should I worry about this or is it the stress of having moved, not used to the homemade stuff and new place? I keep thinking that there must be something in the feed that the little ones can eat but then maybe it is too hard for them and they need mooshy stuff. I heard about mixing potatoes but should I be making mashed potato to mix with their feed? HELP!

Scratch is like candy and if you have candy why eat the good stuff? take the scratch away or give in very small amounts, .and honestly if you buy good feed from a reputable feed company[ I have to buy Purina since that's all my feed store sells but they have been around for many years and will talk to you about your concerns [go to their website] as many of us have done. your ducklings need a well rounded diet of fresh feed appropriate for their age, which is either duck starter or chick starter, and if you can only get chick
or an all flock[which a lot of us use because then you can continue to feed it and not have to buy different feed] What you doing by making their food sounds good but there's no way for you to be sure your giving them all they need now when they are growing so fast. I'd continue to give them the mix your making but as a supplement to their feed you buy for them. and be sure to offer grit in a separate bowl because since ducks don't have teeth they need grit to be able to chew up their food in their crop. I give my ducks/chickens/and geese a treat every afternoon which consists of dried mealworms/7way scratch thrown unto the ground to stimulate natural foraging. They love it and have such a good time but this is only a very small amount between 43 flock members, their feed is free choice. I also feed, chopped kale, Romaine lettuce, collards and cabbage as treats. and I mix whole oats into their feed to cut the protein down a bit also. forgot to add that. I hope this will help you decide what's best for your ducklings, your on the right track, just a bit hard for us to get the ratio right for optimum health for out flocks, pics when you get a chance. and

 

[2Myanimals]

Thank you for the info. I got them the non medicated feed and hope they will eat. I also took away the scratch. I think they are going to hopefully get more settled and less stressed. I bought them from a livestock auction where I did not even want to get an animal. I am glad I did and can only imagine what they must have gone through to get here. They are probably stressed but they seem to be trying their 'pool' out and look to be okay. The ducklings are simply following mommy's orders otherwise they'd probably be settled by now Will keep you guys posted with updates and pics.

 

[jdywntr]

ML gave some great advice. Give mom some time to adjust and I'm sure all will be well.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thank you for the info. I got them the non medicated feed and hope they will eat. I also took away the scratch. I think they are going to hopefully get more settled and less stressed. I bought them from a livestock auction where I did not even want to get an animal. I am glad I did and can only imagine what they must have gone through to get here. They are probably stressed but they seem to be trying their 'pool' out and look to be okay. The ducklings are simply following mommy's orders otherwise they'd probably be settled by now Will keep you guys posted with updates and pics.

Look forward to seeing pics