The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: The Relic on April 09, 2009, 06:14:16 pm
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have 6 chucks and a rooster a few months now and just bought 3 ducks. my problem is feeding. i read ducks like to munch all day as opposed to 2 meals morning and night (which i have kinda noticed). my problem is that if i leave food out for the ducks the chickens scare them away eat it all. so what i have been doing is letting the ducks out first in the morning about an hour before the chickens and same in the evening but they still dont seem to eat much of it. i feel the chickens are getting a raw deal. the ducks ave loads of space to wander in the grass rummaging for whatever they can find. they dont seem to eat much at night either as their food bowl is still quite full in the morning. was thinking of making a small pond with an island and put their food on this. any ideas anyone. cheers
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I'd build a pond and put their food on an island - provided you can reach the island ;), or have a good cricket bowling style. ::) My ducks and chickens are in separate pens and sheds, so I can feed them separately, but to be honest chickens and ducks both graze all day. My hens are 'aye peckin', and my ducks will forage and snuffle about the lawn all day if I let them(they are getting rid of all the moss for me at the mo). If your ducks are leaving the pellets then they prefer what they can forage for. Can you perhaps feed the ducks inside - maybe leave their food overnight so they get it in the morning. You need to be sure you have no long tailed friends though. ;) (Dan, why no Rat icon?) ;D ;D ;D