The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: The Woodsiders on October 15, 2013, 09:25:39 pm
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Hi all, have just completed on our own small, smallholding, it has a huge wildlife pond complete with Moorhens and 3 Aylesbury ducks, we believe they are about 3 years old, I think there is 2 males and 1 lady, the previous people were feeeding them layers pellets, my question is will this be ok? they all look healthy and are eating well, do they need to be locked away at night? as they do not appear to have any housing. Any advice would be welcome.
Thanks
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My ducks are on growers at the moment but I guess it depends whether the lady is laying or not. If not, it'll be fine to fatten them up for winter on growers. They'll forage a lot in your situation anyway. For night, I guess it depends how safe they are and how precious they are to you. My birds are all in fox proof enclosures and at night I shut them all into houses inside those enclosures - but I also see foxes on a daily basis just wandering around in daylight. Your biggest issue is that two gents and one lady is not a good ratio come spring - the little lady will suffer at the hands of the rapacious gents. So I'd try and get a few more ducks if you can.
H
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Thank you Hesterf will get myself organised, I have seen one egg but I think the Magpies got to it first, thanks again