How to fatten up a duck for the winter?

[DuckNoobie]

HI Everyone,

I have a young Appleyard hen who's laying eggs. She's extremely hyper, always busy roaming the yard (without too many breaks) from the morning until i put her away to bed. She's a little thin compared to my other ducks and I'm worried she'll be cold in the winter. I feed her a mix of Purina Duck Grower, Scratch Grain, and the Purina Egg Layer Pellets (same as my other ducks).

What else can i feed her to fatten her up (without giving her more energy)?

This is her! Timbit, being goofy cuz she loves mud!

Thanks,

 

[Amiga]

I know you have an entire flock to manage, but if she's laying, I would have her on layer feed, free choice oyster shell, some extra protein snacks, a few peas, maybe some cooked squash or sweet potatoes here and there. Sometimes my ducks seem a little extra-energetic if they're hungry.

 

[DuckNoobie]

Hi @Amiga, they have food available all day. What type of protein snack can I give? Cracked corn?

 

[Amiga]

Hi @Amiga, they have food available all day. What type of protein snack can I give? Cracked corn?

Cracked corn is just mostly starch, very little nutrition.

Good quality dry cat kibble has protein and some vitamins.

 

[Miss Lydia]

When it starts getting cold mine get an afternoon snack of whole corn/dry grain free dog food/ and meal worms/ since I have dogs and no cats my flock loves the grain free dog kibble even my geese. The corn is mainly to keep them warmer over night and because my gander absolutely loves it.

On cold mornings they get their ff with cracked corn mixed in just for added warmth. Their ff is Layer/ All flock.

 

[chickens really]

My Ducks are fed a diet of Oat and Barley crumble..Old style scratch grains..Less Corn in it...Grower crumbles all mixed....That is out at all times during the day....Free range...Occasional dry cat food....For supper I give a salad of Roman lettuce, tomato, peas, and other veg I have on hand..plus I put it in a deep bowl of water....They love it.....


Cheers!