new too ducks and confused

[Anonymous]

Hi very new too duck keeping and now very confused
by my lil farm » Fri Jun 03, 2011 11:49 am

i have take 1 duck and 2 drakes on as they needed to be rehomed urgently. they arrived on saturday and she brought everything with them, she has had them for about 3/4 months and they are only about 7 months old, she brought a large bag of mixed corn for them this is what they have been fed although i have researched into what is best them there are so many conflicting views on what they should have and the best for them so i thought i would ask th ose whom have ducks.
the other thing im a little concerned about is the duck laid on day 2 1 egg and day 2 one of the drakes hollowed out a little nest and she laid an egg i took both eggs should i have not? and also every day i have removed any dirty straw and replaced it with new is this upsetting them would they rather i left well alone i dont like the idea of them laying/sleeping in poo.
any advise have i got it completely wrong???? sorry for being so long winded

 

[Anonymous]

Hello,

I wouldn't feed mixed corn.

They need either organic chicken layers pellets. Or, preferably, - a feed specified for waterfowl. I feed Allen and Page small holders range, Goose and duck breeder pellets, as they don't do a layers. You could maybe ask your local farm shop or feed supplier if they can order this specifically for you.

I would take eggs away everyday unless you want ducklings as with a ratio of 1 duck to two drakes theyre very highly likely to be fertile eggs.

Absolutley remove dirty straw, this is much beter for them, poor hygeine can result in lots of problems and diseases with ducks, so your absolutley right to remove it, dont worry your not upsetting them, also its good if you eat your eggs its easier if theyre laid on clean bedding as they get very little muck on them.

I would deffinitley get more ducks as she probably gets harrased alot by the two boys.

Anyother queries please dont hesitate to ask! Welcome to the world of ducks! :mrgreen:

 

[dorinda]

Why the organic underlined ?? as long as they have feed that has no anti coci in it - I use garvo feed for geese and ducks and wheat and from time to time mixed corn - I couldn't afford organic (up here more than double the price of ordinary) - if you want her to sit on a clutch of eggs - don't touch or clean up her nest, if you want the eggs for eating for yourself do clean up her nest -

 

[Anonymous]

I'm sorry, Dorinda. I'll be sure not to underline anything again. I've never fed any of my ducks chicken food, for obvious reasons, but from what I gather organic is best if a waterfowl feed is unavailable, just trying to help!!! :lol:

 

[Tim]

Laying ducks need layers pellets when they are in lay for the calcium. Drakes don't really need this, just wheat. They will adjust what they need though themselves and I find they eat far more pellets than wheat in the summer when in lay.

Mixed corn contains maize which will fatten them up and is unnecessary. I feed a little when it's really cold to help them generate a little more fat / warmth..

I feed wheat ad lib under water in a half sized bucket - this stops rats / mice and crows / rooks etc as well as chooks if they are mixed with your ducks from getting the wheat.

I feed layers pellets in hanging containers ad-lib.

There are special waterfowl pellets available but most manufacturers don't bother with these because the make up is so similar to layers pellets.

There is more info in our Waterfowl FAQ

Organic is great. I would certainly feed it but yes, it's twice the price here too. I pay £5.75 for a 20Kg of wheat and if you know a local farmer and keep lots of waterfowl you can often get a half or whole tonne bag of wheat delivered on the forks of a tractor at a good price and store it in wheelie bins or similar at harvest time and it should keep for the year if kept dry.