New duck owner questions

[Weeg]

I live in SE Michigan.

I would read that thread I linked previously. There are quite a few cases in Michigan. It’s fatal if they catch it.

 

[joesandy1822]

by giant pekin do you mean jumbo pekin? if your pekin is a jumbo your gonna want to make sure to limit his food so he doesn’t get overweight/have extra health issues, even on a proper diet pekin are prone to having leg problems

my smaller 3 ducks have food available 24/7 and can eat whenever they want, my 2 jumbo pekin boys get fed duck feed twice a day with a few healthy snacks in between

Yes, silly me. Jumbo pekin (at least I think). She is huge…looks more like a goose. How would I free feed one and limit the other? I can’t see that happening very easily.

 

[joesandy1822]

I find my laying girl’s drink a lot more then my boys
I do give water in my night duck house but others don’t and are just fine
I give all kinds of fruit and veggie treats but only small amounts and not everyday
I will boil corn on the cob then hand it to them. They go crazy over it
Also cut watermelon in half or 1/4 depending on size and they eat it up
Cat food and dry mealworms are favourites
I keep feed out all day for my ducks
Mine are not overweight they forge most the time but do eat crumble throughout the day
I have a Pekin , khaki Campbell and 5 of their offspring as well as 3 younger Swedish
Want to add my Pekin is not a jumbo. She isn’t much bigger then my khaki drake
I still give nutritional yeast on their feed a little sprinkle this will help with niacin especially with the Pekin
I offer grit at all times as it helps them digest food in case they can’t find it in the ground around my place
Good luck and enjoy your new family members
I started with 2 now have 10
They are addicting

Thank you! Addicting, I’m sure. Lord help me!

 

[joesandy1822]

I would read that thread I linked previously. There are quite a few cases in Michigan. It’s fatal if they catch it.

Yes, I have been reading and I was already aware to some degree. They were free ranging on the farm they came from, and I honestly don’t see any way around it for me either. I’ll keep reading.

 

[Weeg]

Yes, I have been reading and I was already aware to some degree. They were free ranging on the farm they came from, and I honestly don’t see any way around it for me either. I’ll keep reading.

That’s good that you’ve been reading. I figured I’d let you know since your a new poultry owner. I’m taking all measures necessary. Figured I’d give you that thread do you had all the info.

 

[joesandy1822]

That’s good that you’ve been reading. I figured I’d let you know since your a new poultry owner. I’m taking all measures necessary. Figured I’d give you that thread do you had all the info.

Thank you. I do appreciate it. I honestly had been reading months ago and thought ducks were not as prone to catching it as chickens and if they did, it wasn’t as serious. I’ll have to keep reading….so sad.

 

[Weeg]

Thank you. I do appreciate it.

Your welcome!

 

[Quatie]

Thank you! How often do they molt and what time of year? Will it be obvious? I’m asking because I need to keep Weezie’s wing/s clipped to prevent flying. What would be the proper way to time this? I just clipped one wing the day I brought them home. I looked carefully for blood feathers and didn’t see any, so I proceeded. It went fine. They are both very tame and friendly and enjoy being held and petted, which is strange because I keep reading that Muscovies don’t like it.

Hard to say when they will molt. It is duck to duck. Most will molt sometime at the end of summer to the beginning of winter, and some even in winter. For my flock last year, I had one molt I think it was in July, and the last one molted some time in November or December. So you can get a range for ducks. It will be quiet obvious, they will start dropping their wing feathers and you will see feathers everywhere.

Here is a few examples of molting ducks. Some will have a slow molt though where it is harder to see. My Muscovy have all been hard molters.

Muscovy can actually be quiet tame if raised by hand from hatch. I got mine at 9 weeks old and they are pretty social. They will let me pet them if I have mealworms.

 

[Lilbitsnpieces]

I raise Buffs and have a couple Cayuga's..housed at night. No food OR water in house..all lay their eggs in house too..
They forage mostly on an acre. I do feed Purina Flock raiser starting in late Feb March before and through breeding season ..as it is safe for ducklings and makes breeding season easier, as momma teaches young. I feed 6 to 7 oz per duck, then pour water or it..then they forage the rest of day.. also offering oyster shell ..which the hens partake of free will. I do use the meat, usually between 8 to 10 weeks. Longer if a male seems to display qualities I prefer until I decide.. I'm in Nebraska, so in the winter..I change it up a bit. I give whole oats, which I grow, or wheat in the morning, again pouring water over it...with some greens..alfalfa, lettuce, dried grass .. On the side. ..around 3pm I feed 16 percent and add crushed niacin... with some crickets or mealworms. To give them a burst of energy to get through our cold nights.. This also saves on feed bills. I do not have lights or heat in coops...

 

[Lilbitsnpieces]

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