What do you feed your ducks?

[a.felix]

Layer pellets and vegetable scraps...

 

[Violet22]

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I didn't know if it was because when they forage they can nibble off small bits, but couldn't chew big pieces put out for them. I would like to just be able to toss out big leaves of stuff for them without having to cut it up.

 

[Cetawin]

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It was recommended to me to cut them into 1/4" pieces for the first week of age. At week two I cut it into bite sixed pieces...like a tomatoe into 6 pieces for example...I still cut tomatoes in quarters but everything else they pick apart themselves at 12 weeks old.

 

[rainplace]

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We just had a discussion about duck food recently, and thanks to someone (OMG I can't remember who) I finally told the local feed store to order me purina duck chow. If they can get the Mazuri they can get the duck chow.

And regarding chopped greens. I agree it is a real chore. My ducks are 6 and 8 weeks or there abouts, and I tear it a bit and let them do the rest. They do a lot of the cutting themselves by pulling it out of each other's mouths.

 

[duckface]

Thanks for all the replies everyone! It's interesting to see the different brands of commercial feeds in different areas. There are two stores close to us that carry poultry food and they don't really have anything specific for ducks. My husband usually buys the food from a feed store close to his work and he has always gotten whatever the store owner recommends based on their age. Our ducks are about 4 months old now and they're on a pelleted feed, but they don't seem to like it so I bought some scratch grain to add to it and they like that. I'm thinking scratch grain alone isn't enough as far as nutrition, but they do forage all day, too.

You've all given me some ideas of other types of natural foods to give them, too. One thing I like to give them as a treat once in a while is prepared plain oatmeal, but I haven't seen that mentioned. Is that okay for them to have?

 

[Violet22]

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I called Purina and asked about the Duck Chow and Grower.....they said they only sell it in certain locations and California wasn't one of them

. My local stuff is supposed to be really good tho. My ducks are 5 weeks now, and the last few days I have just been tearing up bits of grape leaves to see how they handle it. They seem to be doing fine with it not being so small. I just didn't know if too big of pieces were problems after they were swallowed. I want to keep giving them fresh stuff, but I am really hating all the chopping. I did start using a blender which helped, but still........with goats, sheep, a horse, 3 dogs and a goldfish pond, I can't be spending all my time cutting stuff up for my ducks! Now....I love my duckies, but I can't be spending all my time catering to them!

 

[jonibc]

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I looked at a bag of the Dumor feed yesterday and was concerned about it since it is also used for chickens. I didn't see any info on whether it is medicated. Is it?

 

[taraann81]

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I looked at a bag of the Dumor feed yesterday and was concerned about it since it is also used for chickens. I didn't see any info on whether it is medicated. Is it?

If it doesn't say its medicated it isn't, but even if it was it would not harm your ducks. The "medicated feed will kill ducks"rumor is no longer true as they have switched the type of meds in medicated feeds so that now they are safe for waterfowl.

 

[onedozenphyllises]

Regarding the chopping of greens - I should have said more on this. I don't go out of my way to give them greens because there are plenty growing wild, but if were giving them veggie scraps from my kitchen, I would cut or tear them smaller than I would for the chickens. They can't break things down into tiny pieces as easily as chickens can, due to their rounded bills.

That said, when I DO throw veggie scraps out, the chickens always get to them first and the ducks don't stand a chance.