[Lion Learners]

Just a quick question. Yesterday 24 new chickens arrived plus 3 ducks. The flock has been together for a while and everything seems perfectly fine for them in their new shed. But I've never kept ducks before so my question is what should I be feeding them? Are they ok to eat the layers pellets? And do you think they will be able to get it from the chicken's feeder? I had a look around our local farm supplies shop today but I couldn't see anything specifically for ducks. I wouldn't worry as much if they could go outside and forage but we've had a fair bit of snow today and they haven't ventured out of the shed.

I realise this may seem like a stupid question but I can't find the answer anywhere!

Thanks

Liona

[MAK]

yep - ours eat the same as the chickens but we serve the ducks food in old casserole dishes. We mix wheat in with the layers pellets (1:1) once the ducklings are a bit older and let them out to graze on grass ( and or cauliflowers  ).

[mentalmilly]

My ducks are fed the same as the chickens l have, layers pellets and they love mixed corn.  You can get food for ducks and geese l think but this is more expensive than chuck food.  My lot are free range and don`t seem to be bothered by icy cold and wet weather but the ducks have not met snow yet.  That`s going to be fun. The chucks don`t like the horrid white stuff and wont walk on it.  Me, l love it.

[MAK]

Ours break off bits of ice to chew on - puts my sensitive teeth on edge.

[Lion Learners]

Thanks for the advice. Just been outside to feed them, the chickens have ferocious appetites but I haven't seen the ducks eat anything other than a bit of bread this morning. I filled up the feeder with pellets and corn and scattered a bit of corn on the floor. They seem fine at the moment so I won't worry too much yet.

There has been no interest in leaving the shed today from either the new or the settled chickens. Not fans of the snow it seems!

Liona

[HesterF]

I have a bowl full of waterfowl growers for the ducks and geese - mainly because that's what the geese were on before I got them and they're still young and needing to fill out. But the chickens can also access it, and do. Then I have layers pellets hanging up for the chickens which the ducks and geese rarely go near. I did contact Marriages to ask for advice and they said layers was actually the best solution for a mixed flock so once they all (or even any of them) start laying, I'll switch it all to layers.

As for the weather, today was the first day when my chickens wouldn't come out - normally in bad weather they'll dash out, get some food and head down to the goose shed (which is bigger and has an open door). Today two came out, didn't like the snow so headed straight back inside again.

H

[tazbabe]

as above, my chooks, ducks and gees all get a mix of layers pellets and mixed poultry grains.

they free range all day whatever the weather, hardy lot!

[HelenVF]

Mine get the same as the chickens - layers pellets and mixed corn, although just on mixed corn at the moment.  They are free range and go off up the field to feed themselves, whatever the weather lol.  They're a hardy lot.

Helen

[colliewoman]

I feed my ducks with mixed corn and whole wheat, but I throw it into a shallow container of water so they can dabble for it

[scruffbag]

Ducks are fine on layers, but do need the ability to scoop the food, some chicken feeders limit their ability to do this, trough ttpe are best for ducks and geese, the worst are the feeders with the anti flick vains.

[goosepimple]

I never feed anything pellets (cardboard) just unprocessed mixed grain, or you could get some bruised barley (must be bruised) from most farmers Lion, soak it in water and they hoover it up.  Hens will eat it too.  Our Muscovy ducks love brown bread soaked, it's their absolute favourite - you should feed anything apart from grain as wet food for ducks.  I also feed flaked maize (sometimes called cooked maize) which is just pure corn flaked (looks like Kellogs cornflakes except yellow) and they eat those - again you can soak it.  Always have water nearby for the ducks they like to drink a lot in between beakfulls.     Ducks are great fun, lots of social antics.
 
With your hens you could try and 'show' them what to do by picking one up and making them peck at the feeder - they have a small brain and need to learn by an obvious example. 

[Mel Rice]

I think that maybe the container is not deep enough. As said above the ducks do like a certain depth of food.
I do put my wheat in water in the summer months and they have layers pellets. but at the moment they have pure wheat as it stands up to the low temps and constant covering of snow!
(mine dont like the little duck house that OH made and sleep out on the frozen pond)