I have chicks and now ducks!

[ladykalee]

I am a first time duckling owner and hope I am doing the right things. I have read that I should not them food without access to water. My question is, how often should I feed them? I take their food out when I am not there, because they drink their water so fast. I'm afraid to leave it in and have them run out of water.

 

[redsoxs]

Greetings from Kansas, ladykaylee, and ! Happy you joined us! I think a lot depends on how old the ducklings are. I think when they are young they should have full 24 hour access to food. But I am not the duck expert. Here's a couple links that might help you out:
Here's a link to some informative duck articles: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/256233/ducks-sticky-topics-index
And here's the Ducks Forum where you can ask questions from fellow quacker keepers: https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/42/ducks
And in the final link you can locate some in-state poultry folks and say howdy:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/270925/find-your-states-thread
Best wishes to you and your ducks and thanks for joining BYC!

 

[N F C]

The good folks on the duck forum will be able to answer your question (I've only raised chicks and kept food available to them 24/7).

Best wishes!

 

[AmazingRachel]

I hatched ducklings last year (6).
I left out a ~8 in long 2 in wide tray (corn cob plate lol) of started feed (NON MEDICATED) and I dribbled water in it to make it mushy when they were under a week old. They ate that up within 6-12 hours and I filled it up when ever they finished (so food availible 24/7).
Keep water available in this: (http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/little-giant-1-qt-screw-on-poultry-jar http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/harris-farms-screw-on-fount-base-1-qt) DO NOT KEEP AN OPEN TRAY/BOWL OF WATER IN THE BROODER. The ducklings will try to swim in it, will make a mess, and will soak the bedding.
Beware, when keeping ducklings, you will have to change the brooder almost bedding everyday or else it will stink like sour cream gone bad.

 

[N F C]

I hatched ducklings last year (6).
I left out a ~8 in long 2 in wide tray (corn cob plate lol) of started feed (NON MEDICATED) and I dribbled water in it to make it mushy when they were under a week old. They ate that up within 6-12 hours and I filled it up when ever they finished (so food availible 24/7).
Keep water available in this: (http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/little-giant-1-qt-screw-on-poultry-jar http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/harris-farms-screw-on-fount-base-1-qt) DO NOT KEEP AN OPEN TRAY/BOWL OF WATER IN THE BROODER. The ducklings will try to swim in it, will make a mess, and will soak the bedding.
Beware, when keeping ducklings, you will have to change the brooder almost bedding everyday or else it will stink like sour cream gone bad.

Good advice. But I had to laugh at your last sentence..."it will stink like sour cream gone bad"

 

[Teila]

G’Day from down under ladykalee

Welcome!

As you have already received some good advice and links to some great starting points, I will just wish you all the best.

I hope you enjoy being a BYC member. There are lots of friendly and very helpful folks here so not only is it overflowing with useful information it is also a great place to make friends and have some fun.

If you would like to share pictures and stories of your flock, you have come to the right place. BYC’ers never tire of these and do not back away slowly or commence eye rolling when the photo album or home videos come out

 

[drumstick diva]

Welcome to Backyard chickens (and ducks). Ducks need to drink with dry foods because they don't produce saliva. If they are swimming in a pond and catch fish, they have no problem. We used to have visiting mallards and used to put out a bowl of water for them .He didn't know what to feed them so gave them small chunks of bread. They always dunked the bread in the water before eating. We really enjoyed them until they continued on their journey.