Author Topic: Finishing my first batch of ducks (Read 2440 times)

Alex_ · « **on:** August 08, 2017, 02:32:59 pm »

My ducklings are getting older now and I want to get prepared to put them on a finishing diet. I have read that some people put them on a grain diet for their last few weeks. I have also seen this thread from 2015 http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/forum/index.php?topic=69300.msg553195#msg553195

would putting them on a more corn based diet in the last few weeks give me good results when their on the table

twizzel · « **Reply #1 on:** August 09, 2017, 12:16:40 pm »

Cut maize will give a good colour to the skin but wheat will add protein. Finished mine on a 50:50 mix of wheat and maize and they turned out fine.

Alex_ · « **Reply #2 on:** August 10, 2017, 01:18:00 pm »

Thanks Twizzel.

They have been mostly on growers pellets so I think I will add some mixed grain for their last few weeks

twizzel · « **Reply #3 on:** August 10, 2017, 03:01:00 pm »

I had best results when (through no choice of my own) I had to restrict my ducks to a small area last winter to finish them. It was during the bird flu problems so they were really restricted to a small netted pen, which meant they couldn't forage for anything and had to eat the food on offer. I never had much luck finishing ducks that free ranged properly.