Pekin Duck Club!

[Amiga]

jandavis,

I have read that too much corn in the diet does not provide the best nutrition for ducks. Do yours get other food as well?

 

[Julez21]

You are awesome!! Thank you! When can I keep them permanently outside? I love this site--everyone is so helpful!!

 

[farmgirl360]

I read not to feed ducklings chick starter, so the last two duckling families (six in each one) I raised on corn mash, then went to cracked corn, then to shelled corn. They all did just fine. But when I bought these last two duckling I am raising now, I asked them at Tractor Supply, where I bought them,  what they feed the new ducklings. They said they feed the ducklings and the baby chicks Chick Starter, so that's what I've got these two on. They are three weeks old now and seem fine. In another week I'll switch to corn scratch. Farm Girl, what do you feed your new ducklings?

Well were I got my not Peking ducks but ducks four, I got them from rural king and we searched for the right food and everything was medicated and when we ask a guy I they had the feed he said NO u don't feed ducklings chick starter which we all ready knew so they are on meat bird rual kin is the only close feed store close by like I mentioned earlier it is to ones own opion

 

[farmgirl360]

U can keep them outside when they have feathers but add a heat lamp in case

 

[Miss Lydia]

I read not to feed ducklings chick starter, so the last two duckling families (six in each one) I raised on corn mash, then went to cracked corn, then to shelled corn. They all did just fine. But when I bought these last two duckling I am raising now, I asked them at Tractor Supply, where I bought them, what they feed the new ducklings. They said they feed the ducklings and the baby chicks Chick Starter, so that's what I've got these two on. They are three weeks old now and seem fine. In another week I'll switch to corn scratch. Farm Girl, what do you feed your new ducklings?

Corn scratch is not a complete feed, on my bag of 7 way scratch it plainly says it should only be 10% of their diet. They may seem fine but I would put them on a complete feed like an all flock crumble.

 

[jandavis]

Thank you, Lydia. I'll see if I can find some. Might have to order it.

 

[jandavis]

Amiga,
Thanks for the advice. No I only give them corn. However I will look into adding other things. I didn't know my ducks needed anything else. As I said they seem to be fine and I've raised four different groups of them. That's what this site is all about, isn't it? Putting all our heads together and coming up with the best ways to take care of and raise our ducklings. Thanks again.

 

[cochins1088]

My two Pekins are 5 weeks old tomorrow. I too, am wondering when I can let them swim and play in water. I'm here in Michigan. so the weather is still 40's to 50's, so I still have them in the house. How do I know if they are dry enough if I do let them play in water and what temp does it have to be outside for them to stay outside? Still trying to figure out how I can post a pic of them, but my computer skills are less than great!! lol

I put my pekin duckling outside when she was 4 weeks old. She's now 5 weeks old. The temperatures dropped below freezing a couple of times, but she's more than fine. She's a happy duckling and she enjoys being outside. If she would have appeared cold, then I would have brought her back inside.

However, I slowly weaned her off of the heat lamp. If yours are still used to the heat, you'll probably have to wait a bit longer to make the adjustment easier on them.

You can let them swim from day 1 as long as the water is warm and shallow and you keep a close eye on them.

 

[jandavis]

I just gave them some frozen peas. Boy did they have fun chasing them around and eating them!

 

[Miss Lydia]

I just gave them some frozen peas. Boy did they have fun chasing them around and eating them!

They do love peas, when i put some into the cement mixing tub full of water even the chickens are plucking them out it hilarious watching them all looks like dunking for peas, of course a duck or 2 gets in and then the chickens leave or they get all wet.