Hi,just about to get my ducks,large enclosure done and pond now ready(5' x 4'}.Plan on picking up a pair of Mandarins on Wednesday and looking for any tips from you more experienced keepers.I've been keeping hens for a few years now,but intend to keep ducks separate,when I asked at the farm where I get my poultry feed from he told me he feeds his ducks normal layer pellets,is this advisable and if so will they need anything extra?Also is straw o.k. for bedding in duck house or would anything else be better?Any other tips would be appreciated,many thanks.
duck feed
- Thread starter Martdog3
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dorsetduckowner
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Hiya! That's very exciting! I assume you are just getting a pair of mandarins, no other ducks? Their feed will depend in the season. It's breeding/nesting season ATM, mine are all in nest boxes sitting on eggs. When are you picking them up?
Mandarins have slightly different feed requirements than domestics, the like a wider range of food and can sometimes be quite picky. The most important thing is to continue feeding them whatever they have been used to. Ask the breeder for a bag of the feed they have been on and continue with that. If you want to introduce them to new feed do it gradually.
Mandarins are not classed as laying birds so commercial layers are not a good idea for them all year round. Waterfowl maintenance would be better along with lots of greens and they also like mixed seed and insect matter. Layers pellets are really only good for their short laying season when other foods should be minimised.
Sorry for a complex answer but these are special little ducks
Zo
Mandarins have slightly different feed requirements than domestics, the like a wider range of food and can sometimes be quite picky. The most important thing is to continue feeding them whatever they have been used to. Ask the breeder for a bag of the feed they have been on and continue with that. If you want to introduce them to new feed do it gradually.
Mandarins are not classed as laying birds so commercial layers are not a good idea for them all year round. Waterfowl maintenance would be better along with lots of greens and they also like mixed seed and insect matter. Layers pellets are really only good for their short laying season when other foods should be minimised.
Sorry for a complex answer but these are special little ducks
Zo
Thanks,hope to pick them up on Wednesday,have to travel to Preston from B'ham for them as no-one seems to breed them here.I'll have a chat with the breeder when I get there re.what he's feeding them.I suspected when I asked at the farm that they would only be feeding layers,that's why I asked here.Thanks for your help.
