Ideal duck feeder…need recommendations

[LtDanFan]

i am currently using a feed bucket turned feeder with DIY holes and those feeder inserts to keep water out but the ducks are so messy, they end up getting the entire bottom layer wet and then it cakes to the bottom of the bucket and does not flow properly. Has anyone found a duck feeder which avoids this problem? I thought of making a new bucket feeder with new ports and raising them up but an not sure if this would suffice as my girls seem to be extra messy.

 

[Debbie292d]

We've only got two ducks, and this is what we use...a vinegar jug and a plastic coffee can. Both are attached to the chicken coop that's to the right.

They've got a bucket of water in their pen, but they've never mucked up either one of these DIY feeders. They free range where we have a turtle sandbox as a pool for them.

Maybe for you it's more the proximity than the type?

 

[Al Gerhart]

A treadle feeder will work if you add the duck step, a $5.00 option. The full height wrap around sides will minimize the feed dropping and a treadle feeder keeps the bird's attention on balancing on the treadle with less time to mess around while eating. The inner feed lip will stop the raking but you might want to add a medium lip extender to have an extra inch of space to prevent the worst rakers. Ducks are messier than hens so the added $1.50 of expense would be a good investment. I'm making an assumption that the ducks weigh at least five pounds, if not, you would have to adjust the spring tension after adding the duck step


You have the feed away from the water, that is good.

Best of luck with this.

 

[paintedChix]

I was surprised by the answers. I hope one or the other works for you.

Our ducks used thier water to wash thier nares while feeding. Even if feed was across the pen or in a different area, they dropped feed into thier water & water into thier feed.

Eventually we always used an open tub for them - since they were in outdoor pens, they didn't eat it all at once. They went about doing "ducky things".

Some pics from various set ups. Smallest pen, wired up under rabbit hutch -



Largest "pen" - 500' hot poultry netting around a "pond" -



Living before the "pond". The little brooder was in a spare bed room, against a wall. It took "years" to fully scrap the mess off that wall after they went out, LOL.



Before I knew about duck houses & proper chicken coops, the ducks & chickens free ranged out of our carport & barn. The feed, in open feed tubs, stayed dry in the barn. Water was outside & ice dumped out & everyone got a drink before dumped & left upside down till next morning. Then they went & did "ducky things" while chickens hid in barn...



With the open tub feed bowls, they often dripped water into thier feed. But the clumped areas usually got cleaned up by birds (ducks or chickens & ducks) before filled again. Sorry, im not much help...