I've rescued 32 ducks. Feed???

[docrox12]

A friend of a friend passed away and all of his animals had to be re-homed. I took 32 ducks and 9 babies. One large white goose. I have 40 acres with a .6 acre pond. They love swimming in the pond. I contacted my coop and got 500 pounds of a flock raiser mixed with corn. I feed them twice a day about 8 cups or so (a large scoop full). That amount of feed will get expensive rather quickly. They do free range all day.
So do I need to feed them this much during the summer when they can free range more of their own food? I could increase their feed in the winter. They of course act like they are starving when I put the food down. I want to make sure they are not, in fact, starving. Thanks for the help.

 

[Miss Lydia]

The babies def need feed. The goose if you have grass can graze as long as it's soft grasses. Tough grasses can cause blockage.
The ducks can find some food by foraging but I have always kept feed out during daylight and I have 43 birds from ducks/geese to chickens. You could try feeding only in the evenings and put out many feeders so everyone including those babies are all getting some food. Frogs minnows tadpoles worms grasshoppers etc are great food for ducks[geese are vegetarians so they don't usually eat bugs. ] So nice of you to give these birds a home.

I always feel my egg layers need the feed to keep them healthy and fit for laying.

 

[crity]

Wonderful that you gave them a home. My husband just took in 4 roosters and twenty young ones. Not sure of sexes yet. They are phoenix mixes so I'm hoping for some pretty roosters. The rooster are two big buff Orpingtons that had never met. They took to each other like brothers and taking the little cockerels under their wings...not literally. Good luck with your new ones. We have ducks and feed them duck food from the grange. Geese we have had ate whatever we gave the chickens, but that was a long time ago. And they were pastured, so they nibble on all sorts of stuff. Good luck and enjoy.

 

[docrox12]

How do I know how much to feed this many? I don't want to give them more than they need due to cost.

 

[Miss Lydia]

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.

 

[docrox12]

I don't know how old the babies are as the previous owner is not around to give me any info. :-( They are about 1/4 the size of the full grown ones and are growing fast. They are getting around well and eating well. They all have access to the pond, the weeds in that and around it, pasture around it which is 6 acres, and my back yard. They aren't really foraging much except in my yard. They stay close to the pond or the house and barn. If I feed them what someone suggested on another page, 2 cups per duck, I couldn't afford that! If they truly need that much I will give some away to good homes. I just want to do what is right for them.

 

[chickens really]

Yes, I suggest getting rid of some....I free feed My Ducks so then they don't over eat when feed is available...Still get rid of some...If only pets keep some of the Hens and have no Drakes...

 

[Miss Lydia]

I love my drakes.
But having only 1 drake for every 3 females and up is the best ratio.

 

[Miss Lydia]

2 cups of feed per duck seems pretty high. I'd start out feeding morning and evening except for ducklings they will need feed more often. You'll have to judge how much they will eat in 15mins both times. Mamas and ducklings don't venture out like adults will she will keep them close to house to protect them from preds. Or at least mine don't here anyway.

What breed are we talking about anyway.

I found this on the Poultry Keepers web site.

As a rough guide, ducks will eat between 150 – 200g (6 – 7oz) of food a day depending on their size.





As with other poultry, water is vital to the health of your ducks and it should be provided fairly close to their feeders so they can drink in between feeding.






…

 

[mobius]

Right half a cup per day is about what chickens eat too. But before they eat you out of house and home, consider the following:

1. Ferment your feed. We estimate they eat about 25% less than dry.
2. They will learn to forage and reduce your costs.
3. Consider a fodder system and buy a bag of barley seeds (cheaper) and devise a tray system...it can be pretty easy.
4. Ask grocery store for veggie scraps...some will do it some wont.
5. Consider fermenting alfalfa cubes...I do this, see my link in sig, it is high protein and a good evening snack and a forty pound bag lasts a while and is $10 at my feed store.
6. Oh and stock your pond like someone else mentioned!

These items may cut your cost in half. Sounds like they aren't used to foraging. Some of us are calculating cost per bird per day and I think I am at about $0.15 right now even with organic feed. Cause the extras are not that expensive. Lots of folks are at about 20-25 cents per bird per day, average is a bout 20cents.Thesee are folks that ferment. Get a lot of five gallon buckets.

Your place sounds ideal. I am envious! Would love ducks but not set up!

7. Then set up to sell Duck Eggs and post on craigslist or elsewhere to offset feed cost.