New ducks won't eat.

[Sakai]

We were gifted 4 full grown Peking ducks a few days ago. We moved them into a 10x10 pen with grass and a pool for them to swim in.
My problem is that they don't seem to be eating. They have a shallow open dish with layer and scratch. I've read that ducks eat the same thing as chickens.
I've no idea what they were eating in their first home. So I don't know if they were on layer feed or on scraps.
Is it possible they are not used to this food and therefore not eating it? Are they just stressed from the move to a new home?
What can I use to entice them to eat?
I've received an egg both mornings, so I know they need layer feed as their shells seemed very thin.
Edit to add: I spied them nibbling the grass in their new pen. Could they have filled up on grass?

 

[snow5164]

Is there no way you can speak to previous owner? They might have gotten fermented feed , or even wet food . Stress and changes take a few days of adjusting for all animals ,

Have you floated treats in the pool? Koi pellets or pieces of fruit?

I’d give them a few treats , and try to figure out their preferences

 

[Sakai]

Is there no way you can speak to previous owner? They might have gotten fermented feed , or even wet food . Stress and changes take a few days of adjusting for all animals ,

Have you floated treats in the pool? Koi pellets or pieces of fruit?

I’d give them a few treats , and try to figure out their preferences

I'm going to try and contact the old owners. She was trying to get rid of them and I sold her some hatching eggs recently and still had my facebook info.
We were going to just slaughter them and so didn't think to ask about their diet. but I talked my man into keeping them just a little while to see if we like the idea of raising ducks. (And hopefully he'll let them stay as I've grown attached to them already)
Tomrorrow I'll go get some treats to float in their pool and see.

 

[Dandy's mom]

We were gifted 4 full grown Peking ducks a few days ago. We moved them into a 10x10 pen with grass and a pool for them to swim in.
My problem is that they don't seem to be eating. They have a shallow open dish with layer and scratch. I've read that ducks eat the same thing as chickens.
I've no idea what they were eating in their first home. So I don't know if they were on layer feed or on scraps.
Is it possible they are not used to this food and therefore not eating it? Are they just stressed from the move to a new home?
What can I use to entice them to eat?
I've received an egg both mornings, so I know they need layer feed as their shells seemed very thin.
Edit to add: I spied them nibbling the grass in their new pen. Could they have filled up on grass?

It could be that they don't know where to go to get food if they've been eating from the same dish for a long time and the same food. Maybe throw some different foods/treats out into the grass where they are eating, and see if they take it. And put some of the same grass in their food dish. Also, will they get close to you? Maybe try to give them some food from your hand or toss it in front of them. If they see something move on the ground, they might be apt to snatch at it. Sitting down rather than standing will help them be less intimidated as well.
Or maybe they just know you were going to eat them and they're freaked out. You know Hansel and Gretel, Refuse to eat so you don't get fat enough to be eaten. LOL

 

[Sakai]

Thanks! I'll try all those tips! I have their food dish right in the center of the pen. It's the only bare patch of dirt. So I'm sure they see it. I just get the feeling they don't think it's food.
They are terrified of people. Seem fine with chickens and my dogs. So i figure they didn't get much exposure to people. Maybe wiggly mealworms might tempt them to come to me. Or at least to eat if i put them in the dish.

 

[Dandy's mom]

Thanks! I'll try all those tips! I have their food dish right in the center of the pen. It's the only bare patch of dirt. So I'm sure they see it. I just get the feeling they don't think it's food.
They are terrified of people. Seem fine with chickens and my dogs. So i figure they didn't get much exposure to people. Maybe wiggly mealworms might tempt them to come to me. Or at least to eat if i put them in the dish.

If they're skiddish, could be they're scared of open spaces as well. If your pen is big enough, try putting the food dish in the corner under a table or makeshift roof. They might just be scared to be out in the open to eat.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Ducks do not like change. So anything new will set them off for a few days. Give them time and don't change things around in the new environment for awhile unless absolutely necessary until they get used to their new home and new people.

 

[Sakai]

So I threw chopped kale in their pond with some Koi sticks.
Chopped some grapes, tomatoes and mixed it with corn and peas. I threw some of that in their pond and made a trail from the pond to the food dish where I put most of the treats and left them alone.
They ate it all!
They went for the stuff in the pond first but after about a hour they hit the food dish. I'm certain they will only nip the treats off the top, but at least they know the dish is food and they have eaten something. So happy about that. Thank you all for the ideas and tips. I hope they will eat their normal feed as well.
Mr Man is convinced that the older owners must have fed them just scraps. I think perhaps they fed them in their pond.
No egg today. I assume that the stress may have paused whoever is laying at the moment. I hope that because they are now eating, splashing in their pool and napping in the grass, that they at least feel comfortable in their new home.

 

[snow5164]

This reminds me of a dog we adopted that had never eaten dog food .... we added everything to her food to convince her it was delicious,

Still took a good month to get her on dry dog food , patience with any animal is needed , good job you are well on the way to figuring these guys out

 

[Sakai]

Just wanted to update that Today they started eating their feed. I feel silly being so worried, but I knew nothing about ducks LOL.