Questions about Duck-keeping

[ThePigeonKid]

I’ve wanted to get ducks for awhile, and read up on them awhile back, but now I need to refresh my memory.

Can they eat the feed my chickens eat?

Is there anything I should know about keeping ducks, any tips?

Thanks!

 

[tiffanya]

They can eat the same feed as long as you don't give them any medicated feed. I've started my chicks and ducks on Flock Raiser, then switch to Layer Pellets at 20 weeks. My ducks are hardier than my chickens and lay more as well. I keep my chickens and ducks together and have an old laundry basket turned upside down in the coop for my duck to lay her eggs under. Works great and many of the hens prefer it as well. Good luck! Ducks are hilarious. Any idea what breed you are getting yet?

 

[ThePigeonKid]

I think I will get White Peking ducks.

 

[MissusDee]

Add some Niacin to that too. Chicken feed is short on it. Brewer's yeast (pet store/drugstore), or the kind in the drugstore (make sure it's not the non flushing kind). Especially with a bigger bird like pekins.

 

[duckymommyyy]

Pekins are adorable. Have you seen the jumbo white pekin? search "valentino duck" on youtube. most adorable fat jumbo pekin duck whose so sweet! my dream duck!

 

[dumb_cluck]

Feed them game bird starter crumbles, it contains all the niacin they need. When the get to be about 4-5 months old switch to game bird grower pellets.

Pekins are BIG.

 

[Judd4]

I, too have been looking at ducks. Do all ducks eat slugs? Will they destroy a garden?

 

[Faithnthyme]

Quote:
Destroy as in eating everything in sight, not so much. They will demolish anything they like - early lettuce, cherry tomatoes, young peas, etc. I have a low fence around parts of my veggie garden to keep them out of certain areas during certain times. For instance - they eat the slugs in and around the strawberry plants - then when the fruit starts to really grow and start to turn, they are kept away from them so we get to eat them and not the ducks.

We love having them in our 'yard'