How to tell if ducks are getting enough food

[WhiteTreeOfGondor]

I just switched my ducks to a homemade feed that's based somewhat off of Scratch and Peck's 18% feed, because they just seemed to have issues with the feed from the feed store. I ferment it for them and I've never seen them go so crazy over food. Whenever they see me they gather around and quack their heads off. You'd think they hadn't eaten in days. But the thing is, their egg production has gone way up since switching. Is that an accurate sign that they're getting enough?

 

[ruthhope]

I just switched my ducks to a homemade feed that's based somewhat off of Scratch and Peck's 18% feed, because they just seemed to have issues with the feed from the feed store. I ferment it for them and I've never seen them go so crazy over food. Whenever they see me they gather around and quack their heads off. You'd think they hadn't eaten in days. But the thing is, their egg production has gone way up since switching. Is that an accurate sign that they're getting enough?

Hi @WhiteTreeOfGondor

I dont have experience with homemade food nor of fermented food. But, I think increased egg production is a sign of happy ducks!

 

[WhiteTreeOfGondor]

Hi @WhiteTreeOfGondor

I dont have experience with homemade food nor of fermented food. But, I think increased egg production is a sign of happy ducks!

Thanks! I would think so too, just the ducks don't seem to think so . It's hard to tell if they're actually really hungry or just greedy for more

 

[HollowOfWisps]

How much are you feeding them at a time? Fermenting the food often doubles the volume, but not the calories.

 

[ruthhope]

Thanks! I would think so too, just the ducks don't seem to think so . It's hard to tell if they're actually really hungry or just greedy for more

My ducks are always hungry at feed times. They finish all in their bowls overnight but do not empty their common food bowl during the day when they are free ranging. They are always hungry when dedrosted peas appear too ! They are ducks: little greedy pigs!! If their egg production increases, I feel certain they getting enough to eat!!

 

[WhiteTreeOfGondor]

How much are you feeding them at a time? Fermenting the food often doubles the volume, but not the calories.

I used to feed about .4 lbs per duck per day with the crumbles, and I'm doing about 2/3 of that with fermentation. I did wonder about that; I know the nutrients become more available when fermenting but calories stay the same.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

I used to feed about .4 lbs per duck with the crumbles, and I cut that by about 1/3 with fermentation. I did wonder about that; I know the nutrients become more available when fermenting but calories stay the same.

I would not recommend cutting the amount of feed with fermenting. Your ducks still need their daily calorie count to function properly.

 

[WhiteTreeOfGondor]

I would not recommend cutting the amount of feed with fermenting. Your ducks still need their daily calorie count to function properly.

Okay, thanks! I'm trying to keep an eye on their body condition too. Since its a homemade feed, I really don't know how high the calories are.

 

[NatJ]

Okay, thanks! I'm trying to keep an eye on their body condition too. Since its a homemade feed, I really don't know how high the calories are.

You could weigh the ducks every week or so, to see if they are losing or gaining weight.

If they lose weight, they most likely need more food.
If they gain weight, you have to decide wehther they were underweight before (so gaining is healthy) or if they were healthy before and are now getting too fat.

You could also measure a certain amount of food each day, and let the ducks have just as much as they want. Then measure what's left to see how much they actually ate. Over the course of a week or so, that would let them "tell" you what the right amount is. (The right amount may change in different seasons, or when they are laying vs. molting, so be prepared to adjust it a bit from time to time.)

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Okay, thanks! I'm trying to keep an eye on their body condition too. Since its a homemade feed, I really don't know how high the calories are.

You may have already seen it, but Feedipedia.org might be helpful in comparing your feed ingredient amounts with their nutrients and calories.