Probably a newbie question...feeding

[WyldWytch]

Last summer/fall we were given a pair of ducks, we have no clue what kind they were since our friend couldn't remember. We had them on a duck feed which they ate with no problems, they also received cheerios as treats, for them it was like duck crack, they loved it. This spring our female was laying on five eggs and about a week before they were due to hatch she was killed. We have yet to figure out what the heck did it because her body was inside their cage. Whatever it was reached through the cage, killed her, figured out they couldn't retrieve her body and left her. I had a very unhappy drake at that point, he went from being a quiet little guy to causing a ruckus like you wouldn't believe.

Now to fast forward....yesterday my husband bought me 2 khaki campbell females that are 8 weeks old. They are absolutely gorgeous and make poor Fred look like the ugly duckling...LOL Plus they are already twice his size...LOL He was a little put off since he was starting to get used to being by himself and was making friends with a vizsla pit mix. She would go check on him and he would run over to her and quack. Today Fred, Alice, and Trixie are getting along great. In fact when I go into the pen he stands between me and the girls, which I think is kind of funny since when Ethel was here she was the boss lady in the pen.

Now my question is what else can they eat other then duck feed? I know Fred loves when I wet the ground so he can pull worms and it looks like the girls are following his lead, but I would love to feed them other things and supplement them with the duck feed. Is there anything they shouldn't be given?

Another question I had is when should I start looking out for eggs with these two girls? Ethel, Freds former mate never produced eggs until spring and once she layed her eggs she was done for the season, so these two girls are all new to me.

I ask these questions because I am thinking of getting 2 more khaki campbell females and a khaki campbell drake. If I were to do this how would I know if the eggs were viable to put them in a brooder to hatch. From everything I read the KC's won't sit on there eggs since they were produced to be production egg layers. Or should I just get a drake for them? So many questions so little time to ask them all, hope you guys can help me out since I really am in love with my ducks. So much so that I am going to have hubby build me another duck pen...am I crazy?

Rosie

 

[CalBells]

You can try this thread from the duck stickies to get some treat ideas:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/242460/the-ultimate-list-of-duck-treats-and-supplements

 

[satay]

Can you post a picture of your male that you have already? My khaki campbells will go broody and sit on eggs. My ducks will pretty much eat anything as treats. My campbells favourite is celery, My muscovey male loves tomatoes and my runners love apple. I pretty much feed them whatever scaps i have left over including potato skins which most recommend you don't do but mine love them and have never had a problem. The things i don't feed them are rhubarb as its poisoness and avacodo with the seed still in it as they can choke on it and it is poisoness too, I don't feed them onion simply cause the won't eat it. They love bread of any sort and they also get black oil sunflower seeds as treats.

 

[satay]

I forgot to add to if you wanna see them get really excited feed them prawn (shrimp) heads mine go mad for them.To tell if they are fertile crack one onto a dish and have a look. You will see a white circle on the yolk (it's small) if there is a dot in the middle of the circle this is called the bullseye that means they are fertile and good for hatching. If no dot in the middle not fertile.

 

[WyldWytch]

Thanks Cal, just signed up and am still pecking around reading. I know Alice and Trixie were eating just about anything because they were being fed to "fatten" them up... Here they're being fed to be pets and supply myself and some friends with duck eggs. We are also going to get my soon to be 2 year old granddaughter used to being around farm animals so that she can join 4-H when she gets older. That's why I was asking some of the questions, but I am off now to go cook dinner and then I will read the link you sent me.

Thanks

Rosie

 

[WyldWytch]

Can you post a picture of your male that you have already? My khaki campbells will go broody and sit on eggs. My ducks will pretty much eat anything as treats. My campbells favourite is celery, My muscovey male loves tomatoes and my runners love apple. I pretty much feed them watever scaps i have left over including potato skins which most recommend you don't do but mine love them and have never had a problem. The things i don't feed them are rhubarb as its poisoness and avacodo with the seed still in it as they can choke on it and it is poisoness too, I don't feed them onion simply cause the won't eat it. They love bread of any sort and they also get black oil sunflower seeds as treats.

Satay, give me a little while and I will post a picture of all 3, the two girls and Fred. I just need to go throw dinner in the oven so hubby gets to eat tonight... I think he would be pretty mad at me if I didn't feed him after he went and bought me the two girls yesterday...

 

[WyldWytch]

The 2 new girls in their water and Fred watching them.

 

[satay]

I am not sure what your male is but the main reason i asked was if you have a muscovey drake and you cross it with anything but muscovey the off spring will be sterile.( he's not muscovey) It's a lovely male whatever it is. Your girls look great too I am sure you should be getting some eggs from them soon as it spring over there. I find here in Australia my ducks don't lay at all from May til about august as it's winter here.

 

[Snownoir]

I have nothing special for your in regards to what's okay to feed or what breed your handsome boy is, but

WELCOME!!!

Glad to have you here.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

He is a call duck (bantam sized) and will always be tiny compared to the girls. He will try and can mate with them creating "interesting" mutt ducklings.

Good base feeds:
Nutrena all flock
Purina multi flock
Purina layena or omega 3

Extras you can add:
Rolled oats
Whole oats (adults)
Blackoil sunflower seeds (BOSS)
White millet
Wheat

The above is just for ideas for base feed you offer. Adult ducks don't "need" feed available 24/7 like ducklings do. Free ranging and finding bugs and eating grass is also apart of daily diet.