rouen duck help

[labarn]

Just got a trio of Rouen ducks and I am not sure of a couple of things.

Do ducks lay all the time like chickens or only if they have been bred?
What is the best thing to feed them. Mine don't seem to be eating even though I have given them a choice of wheat, barley, and oats.
Can I let them free range? Will they come back?

 

[bemba]

Congrats on your new ducks! Often when you move ducks they will be usure of their surroundings and will go off their food for a couple/few days, but they will settle and get hungry sooner or later. Rouen ducks are seasonal layers (IME) and lay for approx 5 months of the year, they do often mate anytime of the year however. Yes you can free range them, just keep an eye on them for the first few weeks and always make sure they are safe from predators. Ducks love greens, mealworms (or any bug really) fish, peas and corn etc

 

[labarn]

Thanks for the info,

Just went out to see them and the male is so lame he cant walk. I think I was swindled hope he can recover but who knows.

 

[Amiga]

If they are used to pellets, they may not recognize the food. One advantage to pellets is that they contain a wide variety of nutrients. Can you ask what they were fed before?

If it were me, I would get poultry vitamins-electrolytes-probiotics into their water, and start giving him baths in lukewarm water deep enough to float in, twice a day, and I would check him out. Give him some time and TLC.

 

[labarn]

Bought at an auction so there is no way if knowing. Will definitely give him some TLC

 

[labarn]

Congrats on your new ducks! Often when you move ducks they will be usure of their surroundings and will go off their food for a couple/few days, but they will settle and get hungry sooner or later. Rouen ducks are seasonal layers (IME) and lay for approx 5 months of the year, they do often mate anytime of the year however. Yes you can free range them, just keep an eye on them for the first few weeks and always make sure they are safe from predators. Ducks love greens, mealworms (or any bug really) fish, peas and corn etc

So I let the 4 ducks out but I can only get 2 back. One is completely missing and the other one is sitting on the far side of the pond and won't come back. Now I'm afraid to let them out again but I don't know how I will get her back . Ahhhhhh

 

[Miss Lydia]

So I let the 4 ducks out but I can only get 2 back. One is completely missing and the other one is sitting on the far side of the pond and won't come back. Now I'm afraid to let them out again but I don't know how I will get her back . Ahhhhhh

Well being they are Rouen I doubt they flew off. the one missing may have met up with a predator. or what type of preds do you have in the pond? how old are these ducks? and do you have a net and a boat? or you can try just letting things play out and see if it will come home since you have the other 2 penned up.

 

[labarn]

They are fully grown. I have the other two locked in the barn but I was thinking of letting them out to try and entice her back. But I am afraid they will all get away on me. The only predators would be coyote or hawks.
Tried the boat idea, thought I could chase her to shore, got lots of rowing practice but no duck lol

 

[ducklady12]

My 2 1/2 yr old female only lays in spring and early summer. She had five babies. I get about 60 eggs a season from 1 female. They start mating in spring. Awesome birds.

 

[Miss Lydia]

My 2 1/2 yr old female only lays in spring and early summer. She had five babies. I get about 60 eggs a season from 1 female. They start mating in spring. Awesome birds.

Would love to see some pics... and