Just learning as I go

[pooky73]

Hi everyone, I am just new to ducks. I purchased 4 cayuga ducklings this spring, and lucked out with three females and one male.
Everything seems good, they free range all summer and have a natural pond that they love to spend their days on.
We are having a cold snap right now, its around -30 at night.
The only big problem I have is they won't eat duck food, as in crumble or pellets. I have tried scratch,( won't eat it ) Oats and Barley with molasses ( won't eat it) , and have tried three different duck feeds. They love peas,corn,lettuce,cucumbers,watermelon and kale. But I know they can't live on that. Any help is GREATLY appreciated. Thanks

 

[Teila]

G’Day from down under pooky73

Welcome!

Sorry, I know nothing about ducks except that they are cute.

You may want to mention where you are located?

You could try posting your question on your local thread where there will be people experiencing similar temperatures and some will probably have ducks: https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/26/where-am-i-where-are-you ‘Find your State’s thread.

Alternatively, there is the Duck Forum:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/42/ducks

I hope you enjoy BYC. 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. Unlike non chicken loving friends, family and colleagues, BYC’ers never tire of stories or pictures that feature our feathered and non feathered friends

 

[BlueBaby]

Hello, and welcome to BYC!

 

[chickluvinfreak]

Considering that they gobble up fresh foods I doubt that your ducks are sick. How often are you giving them those kinds of treats? And you say you have tried all kinds of duck feeds. So how often have you switched their food? I'm guessing one of two things are happening with your ducks. Either they get treats too often and are just spoiled. So they only eat when you give them the "good" food and not their "real" food.
or
Animals are sensitive to food change so you constantly switching the feed to try and get them to eat more could be disrupting them. And causing them to not eat it. I would lay off the treats and stick to only one kind of food for a week or two. If their isn't any improvement you may need to talk to a vet.

 

[drumstick diva]

I don't know much about ducks either. I think you questions would be best posted at the "Duck thread." put that in the search box and it will come up.

 

[N F C]

You've already received some good links to check out and good advice so I'll just say hello and it's nice to have you here!

 

[Chicken Girl1]

 

[RodNTN]

 

[QueenMisha]

Welcome to BYC! It's great to have you.

Ducks, like chickens, can be picky little beasts. Choose a feed that is nutritionally adequate - for ducks a 20% flock ration is a good choice, I prefer crumble personally - and then feed them just that. Cut out all treats, scraps, anything at all, for a few weeks or even months. They aren't going to starve themselves to death and although you may not mean it that way, coddling them and letting them choose what to eat is not doing them any favors.

 

[Flock Master64]

hi and welcome to backyard chickens. I've never had ducks or problems with not eating so I don't think there's much I can do for you sorry :/ but there are tons of people on here who can.