Questions about feeding ducklings/ducks

[jsleep787]

I'm completely new to ducks and I have been looking everything up, checking out books, etc. and I have noticed that some articles talk about grit. I also noticed that if that it said that if you free range it, then you dont need grit for them,that they will eat enough sand to keep healthy. And for some comerical foods, you don't need to give them any.

I plan on feeding this food for ducking: http://www.tractorsupply.com/webapp...ory_rn=&top_category=&urlLangId=&cm_vc=-10005

And this feed for full grown:http://poultry.purinamills.com/OURPRODUCTS/Products/Layena/default.aspx

Okay, here's all my questions: When should i switch from duckling to duck food? And should i gradually do it by like, mixing, or just change it completely one day? And is there any other suppliments or vitamins that i should be given them? If so, how much per duck? Do I need grit for the type of food I plan on useing? And if so, how much per duck?

And if this makes any difference, I plan on keeping them in a enclose area on a raised grass bed with a kiddie pool. I live on 2 acres in the suburbs in Tennessee, and everyone in my neighbor hood is pretty spread out from each other. In saying that, I want to be able to let my ducks out during the day, but I'm afraid they will get into the road, because we dont have a fence around our property and I'm scared to dealth they will be run over or wander away and get lost.

Okay, i'm sorry for all of these questions. Thank you so much for reading!

 

[Going Quackers]

Grit should be introduced when they are no longer just getting there basic feed, now yes, usually if you free range they should get enough that way, mind you i have some around now because of my wee ones and my adults seem to be enjoying the option anyways lol

I free range my birds but definitely feed them, i don't believe they can get all they need through free ranging. It helps don't get me wrong but unless your always perfect weather and sure they can meet the dietary needs foraging, i just don't see it, i have winter for instance, just last week we were below freezing and snowing, so they hardly could get by on the foraging alone.

There are several ways to feed, you can start with a *non-medicated* chick starter but that you will need added niacin, a duck starter or a flock raiser, i think there are a few others but those are the options in my part of the world. Always refer to the tag for directions on how and who to feed too, all changes should be made gradually.

I feed flock raiser here it's by Purina. You can use layer later on when your ducks are laying because i own drakes i choose not too, loads of debate on excess calcium levels for drakes and as i keep some i prefer to just stick with my flock raiser.

I'm rural, mine definitely cover more than 2 acres, that said it depends... it's always a risk to let them loose plus keep in mind if your not fenced other things can find the ducks(predators) and kill them.

 

[Amiga]

You wrote

Okay, here's all my questions: When should i switch from duckling to duck food? And should i gradually do it by like, mixing, or just change it completely one day? And is there any other suppliments or vitamins that i should be given them? If so, how much per duck? Do I need grit for the type of food I plan on useing? And if so, how much per duck?


I did it by slowly replacing some of the starter crumbles with grower pellets till I had used all the starter up. Each day I would add more grower pellets. This was when the ducklings were two to three weeks old. Once a week I gave them poultry vitamins-electrolytes-probiotics in their water. I sprinkled a teaspoon of chick grit on their food once a day from the time they were a couple of days old, and started giving treats - lettuce and peas - at about 8 days old. The grit was so they could digest non-pelleted feed, like the treats.

 

[jsleep787]

I'm rural, mine definitely cover more than 2 acres, that said it depends... it's always a risk to let them loose plus keep in mind if your not fenced other things can find the ducks(predators) and kill them.

Yes, I don't think I'll free range them. They will have a little completely fenced in area where they can go during the day, and on nice days I might try to let them out, under complete watch of course! It's just too likely that one of my neighbors dogs will get out and harm them.

Thank you so much!

 

[jsleep787]

I did it by slowly replacing some of the starter crumbles with grower pellets till I had used all the starter up. Each day I would add more grower pellets. This was when the ducklings were two to three weeks old. Once a week I gave them poultry vitamins-electrolytes-probiotics in their water. I sprinkled a teaspoon of chick grit on their food once a day from the time they were a couple of days old, and started giving treats - lettuce and peas - at about 8 days old. The grit was so they could digest non-pelleted feed, like the treats.

Thank you so much! I'm going to go write this down with all of my other notes so I don't forget!

 

[Amiga]

Glad it helped.

Please stay in touch to let us know how you and the littles are doing.