newly arrived runner ducks won't eat!

[maceleneo]

Hi, I have been keeping chickens for 5 years, but these are my first ducks. Allow me to introduce you Atalanta, Wilma and Achille.

They are supposed to be 5 months old, they grew up in a big yard with no contact with humans and they are terrified by people. They arrived yesterday and when I closed them in the run Atalanta heart was beating so fast I could actually see her chest flinching, so I let them alone to settle in. Ducks arrival wasn't planned, so I don't have specific feed, I gave them chickens feed and I collect some snails for them from the garden (actually, my mother was so happy to learn that ducks eat snails that she collected snails from her garden too!).
The ducks drank a lot, but didn't touch food yesterday and I thought that could be because they were too scared, but it seems like they're still not eating this morning and I'm starting to get worried. I'm trying to reach the original owner to know what have they eaten so far, but this person doesn't use internet so it's going to take a while.
Is moving so upsetting for ducks that they could lose appetite for almost 2 days? What can I do to make them eat?
I'm wondering if I should try and let them out (my garden is all fenced), maybe they would forage some food in the grass? I'm not sure because I planned to keep the ducks in the run at least for a week to let my chickens get acquainted to them.
Chickens free range all around the run by day and when I put new chickens in the run, older ones usually approach to the net to look askances at the intruders, but they are acting as if there was no one inside now and show no interests... not sure if it's too soon to try though.
Any advice?

 

[gtaus]

Hi, I have been keeping chicken for 5 years, but these are my first ducks.

They sure are some nice-looking ducks.

I had ducks before I ever had chickens, but I raised all my ducks from day old chicks. It sounds like your ducks might be adjusting to their new surroundings as evidenced by your statement that you could see her chest flinching because she was so nervous. However, I think it's a good sign that they are drinking water.

I think it's a good idea to find out what the previous owner fed the ducks. If you can buy that same feed, it might help ease the transition. With my laying hens, even if I have to change brands of feed, I usually gradually mix in the new feed so the chickens get used to it. I'd buy a bag of duck feed and offer that to them as well. They should be able to eat chicken layer feed, but I know there are some differences between duck and chicken feed. I have never used all flock feed, but maybe that's an option.

Ducks are pretty hardy creatures and I think they will start eating soon. As long as they are drinking, I think you don't have to worry too much. Once they settle in, I hope they get their appetite back. Good luck.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

Beautiful ducks!

My (chicken) pullets didn't eat for the first 24 hours or so after coming here to their new home, but they have certainly made up for it since then. I'm guessing that yours will do the same.

If you haven't already, you might want to post over on the Ducks forum. https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/ducks.42/