New to ducks!

[newchickmom]

We want to get a couple of ducks. We have about 50 hens so are not entirely new to poultry.

I just don't know what to feed the ducklings!!

Can someone help or direct me to a website with the info I need?

Thanks

 

[LauraSBale]

I feed them Multi flock, i have some chickens in with my ducks, when the ducks reach egg laying age, i mix multi flock with egg layer,

some feed stores will sell duck feed, but i dont have any close to me.

 

[Amiga]

newchickmom,

There are a few other considerations than feed - you are on the right track, checking ahead of time.

Take a look (if you have not already) at the topics Help Getting ducks soon, and duck brooder questions.

I use Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks. We have had a number of topics posted with similar questions recently, so scan the index and see some good material there.

Other than feed, do you have any specific concerns?

 

[newchickmom]

My main question is the feed for the babies.

We had ducks a couple of years ago, until neighbors dog killed them. We decided we would try again (old dog has died since then). I have brooder, outdoor enclosure when big enough, dog house for shelter, and wading pool when they are ready for it.

I just keep thinking we fed them something besides chick-starter when they were babies. I cannot, for the life of me, remember what we fed them to start out.

 

[k2chickens]

Quote:
i will be getting a pair of regular call ducks from the local feed store here soon as well, i would love to know the answer to this question as well. Will chick starter hurt or be bad for our new baby duck's? I just didn't really want to buy a 15 dollar 50 lb bag of flock food for just our 2 baby ducks...especially when my feed bill for the chickens is as high as it is.

 

[Chick_a_dee]

I gave mine the chick starter/grower unmedicated. I can't even get medicated feed so its not such a big deal lol but thats what I fed my 3 ducklings, who are now almost a year old

 

[Amiga]

Well, I am using Agway Turkey & Waterfowl starter, plus one part ground oatmeal to 4 parts starter because the starter is 26% protein and I am aiming for 18 to 20 percent the first two weeks. These are crumbles.

Late next week we will begin switching to grower pellets, which I will add in increasing amounts (may grind them up a bit at first - we will see), and still the oatmeal because the grower is also a little high in protein.

Next week I also plan to introduce finely chopped fresh green things, like bok choy leaves, perhaps chopped peas and green beans.

You know ducklings need lots more niacin than chicks, right?

 

[reaver]

I feed mine Purina Milla Flock Raiser they can stay on that with extra worms/greens/other treats for their life.