Pekin ducks

[hoosiersphynx]

When to TSC for some chicken feed and came home with 4 baby Pekin ducks. The gal there said that they are no harder then chickens so I said what the hay. So what do I need for these little guys? She said that they eat chicken food?
Rebecca

 

[bock]

Ok, they lied, ducks CANNOT eat chicken food. I myself have trouble finding duck food, so I use Purina Flock Raiser. At 2 weeks I add 1 part rolled oats for every 2 parts food because of the excessive amount of protein in that type of feed. Ducks also CANNOT swim until 3 weeks of age. Plus ducks and geese are THE MESSIEST type of poultry, so be sure to change bedding and messy water often. P.S TSC is NOT a good place to buy ducks, they do not even know to take care of them!!!

 

[nissa_loves_cats]

Ducks CAN eat the 'chicken food' they sell at TSC. That feed does not include anything harmful to ducks and is more a general-purpose poultry starter.

Adult ducks can also eat egg mash or egg crumbles meant for chickens. In Holderread's duck book he says the egg mash is not ideal for drakes, but I'm not gonna separate my breeding groups every day for feeding time!

 

[duckling 1234]

The person above me is correct....

Also, I let my ducks start swimming at about 4 days old, I just watch them extremely closely and remove them at the first sign of trouble.

 

[afeatherfan]

I feed mine the same as my bittys.

 

[artsyrobin]

make sure the feed is unmedicated- they need a high protein feed the first three weeks then add the oats to lower the protein ration, enjoy! They are a blast! Also if you want friendly ducks, handle them often. Personally, i don't trust TSC to know how to care for chicks of any kind- at least not at our local store- went in today to see if anything had changes- nope- no food, dirty waterers if there was any water at all- your little ones are very lucky to have you!

 

[hoosiersphynx]

The TSC here was very clean. They all had clean fresh water and food. Bedding was also clean. I told that gal that I wanted to pick out the ducks and she made me use hand sanitizer before she would let me touch them. They seem to be doing good. Today is nice so I was thinking about letting them go outside for a bit. Maybe even do some water!