New duck owner - Indian runner ducks

[tom32s]

Hi all new to the group so hi !
After some advise
We brought 4 black Indian runner ducks yesterday -
2 drakes and one duck from 2014 hatch and one duck from 2013 hatch.
Initially when I visited to look at them I was unsure to take on two males as I heard you had to have a higher ratio of females to males. But when I met the breeder she spoke that she had never had a problem with them and there not like chickens.
We also own chickens.
My main question is what food do you feed them as I'm reading different information on different sites. Some say layers pellets, some say wheat, some say cracked corn ?
Second question is how much per duck should you be feeding them? Do you feed them different food through the seasons ? None of them are laying yet so I'm led to believe
I heard you should feed them at night/evening in there house to encourage them back to lock them away over night.
They will be free range but to start they are fenced off. We have 8 acres.
There house is next to the chicken coop but we can divide the both area so both chickens and ducks will be separate but have heard this isn't an issue.

And advise would be much appreciated !!
Paul

 

[dan26552]

Hi! Welcome!

I use cracked corn (mine free ranged) I'd give them a mix (probably not layer pellets till their laying) of things since their not ranging yet. Yes it's better to feed them in their house but make sure they have accession water, if their free ranging feeding them in the evening is a great idea if they aren't I don't think it matters. I'd keep them locked up for a few weeks so they get used to their new home. It shouldn't be an issue their house and the chickens being next to each other, we've had ducks and chickens in the same house just fine. Also they LOVE water if you don't have a pond I would get a kiddie pool, those work well, also when you change the water in a kiddie pool that stuff make GREAT plant fertilizer.

 

[poult]

Ducks(no matter the breed)have to have a at least 2 ducks per drake.

Once they start laying 16% layer feed will be fine.I would supplement with scratch though just for extra energy & they love it! I would let them eat as much as they want.Fill their feeder & just fill it when needed.If your breeding them then yes you could add things to their diet for best fertility in stuff.Not sure exactly what though.

They should load up anyhow.But keeping food in their house is good too so other wild birds stay out of it.I always herd mine in at dusk just to be sure.

Any more questions you may ask me or pm me always willing to help!

 

[poult]

Dan is right about the water! They also have to be able to wash their nostrils clean of debri so make sure they can at least wash their face.Ducks don't have to have swimming water but what's a duck without water? Here is one of my articles too:

[CONTENTEMBED=/a/can-i-keep-ducks-chickens-turkeys-and-geese-together layout=inline]​[/CONTENTEMBED]

 

[tom32s]

Thanks for the replies will reply better after a meeting I have to shoot too. Quickly is it a big problem I have 2 males and 2 females ?

 

[poult]

Yes you need two females per drake at least.They will get over stressed & shred their back feathers to the skin.

 

[poult]

The drakes will with their claws on their back sorry should have specified.

 

[tom32s]

Oh No this is not good so I should get rid of one male then? or get two more females? thing is because there black indian runner ducks I don't think getting another 2 more females nearby would be that easy
How long can they last together as they are?

Hi Dan thanks for your message. When you say 'locked up for a few weeks' do you mean in there house or in the paddock area where there house is?

Angela - I got told to feed them at night time only as they will return to there house when there hungry this way. When they go free range on 8 acres of land it might be a bit hard to hussle them back to there house if they can just have food when they want it ??

So food wise I should be giving them cracked corn, how much per duck would you say is a reasonable amount? when do ducks generally start laying?

Sorry if this is all obvious stuff to you all. Thank you for taking the time to reply too

 

[needlessjunk]

Yes you will need more females. Either sell a male or get more females. How many more you will need depends on your drakes. Some drakes do well with 2 ducks some need 5. You dd not have to getore runners though you can get a different breed if you would like.

I feed mine twice a day. If I leave food out my dogs will eat it and I don't want it in the coop due to the mess. If you have food out you must have water. Ducks need to be able to wash their food down. Now speaking of water ducks need to be able to wash their nares. So it must be deep enough to dip their heads.

I would keep them in a fenced area for a few weeks so that they don't run off. Once they know the deal and will come when you call them then I would let them free range. Mine don't go in their house without treat motivation but do come when called. So they wait for me to put peas in their house and then go in.

ETA:
Food wise mine are on grower 15% protein right now. Once most of mine are laying age I think I will switch over to layer pellets. You have to decide for yourself if you want your drake to eat the higher calcium levels of layer pellets. An All Flock Raiser is a good choice too. Ducks don't need cracked corn just like chickens. It is a treat or to be used to fatten them up for winter or to help keep them warm. I give mine a few scoops and if they eat it all instantly I will give them some more. If there is some still left I will give it to them at the next meal.

 

[dan26552]

Yes you will need more females. Either sell a male or get more females. How many more you will need depends on your drakes. Some drakes do well with 2 ducks some need 5. You dd not have to getore runners though you can get a different breed if you would like.

I feed mine twice a day. If I leave food out my dogs will eat it and I don't want it in the coop due to the mess. If you have food out you must have water. Ducks need to be able to wash their food down. Now speaking of water ducks need to be able to wash their nares. So it must be deep enough to dip their heads.

I would keep them in a fenced area for a few weeks so that they don't run off. Once they know the deal and will come when you call them then I would let them free range. Mine don't go in their house without treat motivation but do come when called. So they wait for me to put peas in their house and then go in.

ETA:
Food wise mine are on grower 15% protein right now. Once most of mine are laying age I think I will switch over to layer pellets. You have to decide for yourself if you want your drake to eat the higher calcium levels of layer pellets. An All Flock Raiser is a good choice too. Ducks don't need cracked corn just like chickens. It is a treat or to be used to fatten them up for winter or to help keep them warm. I give mine a few scoops and if they eat it all instantly I will give them some more. If there is some still left I will give it to them at the next meal.

X2

Also if you want, every time you feed them whistle, but only whistle that tune when you feed them. By the time you let them out they should come running whenever you whistle for them.