I've rescued 32 ducks. Feed???

[docrox12]

Great help from all of you!
I grow fodder in the winter for my chickens. I could do some now for the ducks.
I fermented with my chickens for awhile but they didn't eat very much of it. They preferred dry.
I pick up veggies from my local grocery store every Monday morning and cut it up daily for my goats, sheep, chickens, and foster horses. I have put some out for these ducks and they don't really go for it. I will keep trying it though. It is just another chore to do by picking up what they didn't eat. I don't want to attract critters.
The previous owner had them free ranging around his yard and buildings. He lived in the country also. So they are used to foraging.
I don't know breeds of ducks yet. There are a few Pekin, some grey and white, some black with white heads, and some brown mixed with black.

 

[chickens really]

Ducks can be picky about feed changes ....

 

[Parront]

Put out many feed bowls and start them off at the same time[if possible] let them eat for 15 mins then take it up How old are the babies? What kind of foraging can mom and babies do?
Then before putting them up for the night put food out again for same time. Always make sure they have lots of fresh water and are able to dunk their heads to wash their nares and eyes out.

This is the way to go. If they do not clean it up in 15 min, it is too much. Feed less the next day, until they clean it up in that time. Then, they will get busy finding their own feed. At night, same!

 

[mobius]

Thinking about a stop watch: Ready, Set, Eat!

Wonder if they were free-fed by your friend? Course that may be unknowable...

 

[chickens really]

Free feed and they won't pig out ....I just had 19 Ducks and free choice fed them...Was not a big cost....Plus I have 12 Chickens...

 

[Parront]

Great help from all of you!
I grow fodder in the winter for my chickens. I could do some now for the ducks.
I fermented with my chickens for awhile but they didn't eat very much of it. They preferred dry.
I pick up veggies from my local grocery store every Monday morning and cut it up daily for my goats, sheep, chickens, and foster horses. I have put some out for these ducks and they don't really go for it. I will keep trying it though. It is just another chore to do by picking up what they didn't eat. I don't want to attract critters.
The previous owner had them free ranging around his yard and buildings. He lived in the country also. So they are used to foraging.
I don't know breeds of ducks yet. There are a few Pekin, some grey and white, some black with white heads, and some brown mixed with black.

Peking eat a lot, and taste great! They are ready to eat almost as fast as a Cornish-X chicken and taste fantastic. If you aren't into plucking, skin them. Then, bone out the breast meat, fry or grill it like steak on the BBQ. That is how they cook it in France, Fantastic! I had to buy 15 ducks in an order after tasting this. All 15 tasted better than the restaurant in France done at home for about 1/10 the cost. Your friend must have bought them for this reason, enjoy his gift to you in his memory.

 

[Parront]

Great help from all of you!
I grow fodder in the winter for my chickens. I could do some now for the ducks.
I fermented with my chickens for awhile but they didn't eat very much of it. They preferred dry.
I pick up veggies from my local grocery store every Monday morning and cut it up daily for my goats, sheep, chickens, and foster horses. I have put some out for these ducks and they don't really go for it. I will keep trying it though. It is just another chore to do by picking up what they didn't eat. I don't want to attract critters.
The previous owner had them free ranging around his yard and buildings. He lived in the country also. So they are used to foraging.
I don't know breeds of ducks yet. There are a few Pekin, some grey and white, some black with white heads, and some brown mixed with black.

Put some of your birds in with them when you feed. They are like dogs, if they see another bird eating something good, they want it too!

 

[Parront]

Great help from all of you!
I grow fodder in the winter for my chickens. I could do some now for the ducks.
I fermented with my chickens for awhile but they didn't eat very much of it. They preferred dry.
I pick up veggies from my local grocery store every Monday morning and cut it up daily for my goats, sheep, chickens, and foster horses. I have put some out for these ducks and they don't really go for it. I will keep trying it though. It is just another chore to do by picking up what they didn't eat. I don't want to attract critters.
The previous owner had them free ranging around his yard and buildings. He lived in the country also. So they are used to foraging.
I don't know breeds of ducks yet. There are a few Pekin, some grey and white, some black with white heads, and some brown mixed with black.

Geese would love fodder, ducks are kind of carnivorous, but would also benefit from fresh greens. The pond is able to support ducks, maybe ~ 15, just from duck weed and insects.

 

[mobius]

Duck weed!! OMG!! of COURSE!

 

[BabyGirl2]

My mother raises ducks, they get about a cup of food to three cups depending on number of baby ducks we have (we feed them once earily in the morning and around sunset). Then we set them loose during the day to peck and play in the pond. Be aware that young baby ducks can become water logged because they don't have the oil on their feathers to repel water. Make sure the babies can get out of any and all water easily.