Pekin Duck Broiler Feeding

[AceODST]

Just bought 10 American Pekin ducks from local Tractor Supply on the cheap because they were "too big". I've had ducks before but they were for eggs, now I would like to know the best way to feed them for butchering them around the time I graduate in a little under two months.

 

[pinusresinosa]

We raised a dozen for butcher last year. We fed them free range, lots of greens and they had free access to their grower ration. Lots of clean water. They get to be a good butcher weight right after their first big moult, which is ideal also because they have less pin feathers to remove. They're very tasty, but for their size we were surprised how little meat was on each one to be honest, and how fatty they were. But that's our tastes. Good luck!

 

[AceODST]

Maybe I'll let my collie herd them around the yard, ha!

 

[Speceider]

In "Domestic duck production, science and practice" they present a lot of data , but it looks like best performance at starting at 25 percent protein, and finishing at 18 percent. Allow at leader 5 square M per bird. Growth is best in a thermoneutral environment (20-28 degrees C). I would not herd them, that will not increase muscle.

Clint

 

[pinusresinosa]

Heh! I don't know if herding them around will create more meat... wish it would! They never really develop big breast muscles like chickens do, just not in their genetics. Pekins were bred to get to a decent market weight really fast, which they do. And they're a real treat for sure, so it's worth it if you really, really love duck. It's still worth it for us here, but this year we're trying some slower maturing breeds, to see if they're not so fatty- and chickens for meat with the larger amount of sheer protein bulk in the breast area makes them seem more attractive. But the flavor of duck- nothing like it.

 

[pinusresinosa]

I will say this. We have a pekin holdover because she was just too darn cute for me to eat. She's laying eggs right now, has been laying despite the cold for a few weeks, and we're getting a nice egg a day from her. Very delicious and rewarding! Great little layer.

 

[AceODST]

I kid, I wouldn't want to stress their psyche too much but thank you for the book suggestion I will check it out next time I can. I was wondering if there is a specific ingredient besides lettuce they really just flourish with. Is corn or oats or any regular stuff like that really good for them outside of generic tractor supply or agway grower; grower/starter, flock raiser?

 

[pinusresinosa]

There are broiler starter/meat builder formulas of commercial feed, usually formulated for chickens but if they're not medicated they work for ducks. I have a book around here that talks about natural ratio recipes for rations depending on need, but it's a homesteading book and they use stuff like goat milk as a good part of their rations. Let me know if you want some of those formulas, I can type them down for you. But otherwise, a grower with added greens (not just lettuce, they love all sorts of greens like endive, spinach, kale, collards, etc), pansies, nasturtiums, whatever you have. Peas are another favorite- it works fine. If you can let them free range, that's best along with free access to grower.

Ducks devour dried mealworms, live crickets if you can find them, worms, wax worms etc. They go nuts!