New disheveled duck. Advice welcome

[shawluvsbirds]

Peas meal worms dried cat food and ultra kibble are my favorite treats here.

when I took in an underweight drake who had been stressed like yours this ultra kibble got him looking good in no time.
Pretty Cayuga btw! Glad she has a new home with you!

 

[MROO]

I add dry kitten food because the pieces are smaller. My ducks like mealworms too, but they are quite pricey.

Growing your own is REALLY easy! And CHEAP! There is a lot of info here on how to do it. Mine are in an open plastic bin full of dry oatmeal. The beetles don't fly and the mealies can't climb the plastic sides, so they are totally self-contained. All I have to do is add a slice of apple or potato every few days for water, and they take care of the rest.

Of course, the best part about having them out in the open is summed up by a popular commercial:

Dry Rolled Oats ...................................... $1.49
Apple .................................................... .69
Untreated live Mealworms .......................... 2.99
Reaction when guests finally figure out what's
really in that open bowl on the counter ....... PRICELESS!

 

[Mama_Owl_3]

Thanks for the support and advice! More is always welcome. I’ve given her a large section of the yard and occasionally bring my females to roam around with her. I’ve made sure she has plenty of food and treats.

What are your ducks favorite treats? She needs a lot of protein for regrowing feathers.

This is the first I’ve seen her fully relax. Yay!View attachment 1855012 Yesterday she didn’t lay down all day.

My babies love peas, mealworms, bananas, and watermelon. Go absolutely nuts over them, but this is only what I have given them so far. I know that there is a wonderful list on this forum of all the good things that you can and can not give them. I hope she continues to do well!!

 

[FowlWitch]

Great progress! Ducks only lay down when they feel safe!

I'm sorry if this is a little off topic - but is this true for muscovy ducklings, too? If so, that makes me very happy because my ducklings lay down by me a lot when I go out to the coop and visit before work

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

I add dry kitten food because the pieces are smaller. My ducks like mealworms too, but they are quite pricey.

That's why i introduced the dry cat-food to them. At first they didn't liked it, but when they saw Blanca Duck gulping down bill-fulls of that stuff everybody chimed in.

 

[Kbduckmom]

Good news! I really thought I wouldn’t be saying this for a few more weeks, but Daisy gave us an egg this morning! This is my first one as a duck momma, so I’m way excited.
She and the rest of the flock are adjusting well. Still some dominance going on, but I’ve seen new feathers coming in and she’s eating well and splashing around in the pool.
Any advice on helping ducks adjust to the change?

 

[Miss Lydia]

It just takes time. Laying an egg is good.

 

[Texag87]

That's why i introduced the dry cat-food to them. At first they didn't liked it, but when they saw Blanca Duck gulping down bill-fulls of that stuff everybody chimed in.

What will Blanca not eat ?

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Good news! I really thought I wouldn’t be saying this for a few more weeks, but Daisy gave us an egg this morning! This is my first one as a duck momma, so I’m way excited.
She and the rest of the flock are adjusting well. Still some dominance going on, but I’ve seen new feathers coming in and she’s eating well and splashing around in the pool.
Any advice on helping ducks adjust to the change?

That is wonderful news! Duck will only lay if they feel safe and if they aren't stressed out. Congratulations, you are on a good path with her.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

What will Blanca not eat ?

A 2,000 pound elephant!