Do I need to feed free ranging ducks?

[DunnoWhatImDoin]

My ducks free range all day in a big area, it's a young orchard. I've been giving them a small amount of layers pellets because that's what the chickens get, they get a few table scraps too but I don't like putting out much of those.

Do I need to be feeding them more or will their free ranging be enough for them?

 

[alexkimoto12]

I think that small amounts of pellets is probably good, but that depends. Are there a lot of bugs and edible grasses there, and Is there a stream or pond they drink from? We have free ranging ducks that we normally give about 1/6-1/4 the average amount of feed to. But they do have a stream with lots of little bugs that they can eat from. I personally think that if your ducks seem happy and they don't seem like they are starving or desperate for food then you should be fine.

 

[dekel18042]

My ducks free range all day in a big area, it's a young orchard. I've been giving them a small amount of layers pellets because that's what the chickens get, they get a few table scraps too but I don't like putting out much of those.

Do I need to be feeding them more or will their free ranging be enough for them?

My ducks and chickens both free range but I make sure they have feed available. When foraging is good and lots of food is available they eat very little of what I give them but at least know they always have the good stuff if they need it. Plus if your ducks are laying, the layer food has calcium.
If they forage only, you don't know if their intake is balanced.

 

[Niche Flock]

I've noticed a little of the layer pellets helps with consistent egg production.Even when they are foraging spring, summer and fall, I still provide a small dish one to two times a day for a certain amount of time. Food a little before bed is a good incentive to lead them back to their co-op at night.

 

[DunnoWhatImDoin]

Thanks, I'll carry on giving them a small amount of pellets so. They seem to like them anyway.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Mine free range also but they all have access to feed the whole day, they are still eating quite a bit since we're still waiting on green plants and bugs to emerge from winter.

 

[Krazyquilts]

My ducks only have feed in their pen, so when they are running around "helping" in the garden, they don't have access to it. When I decide they've run around enough or if they aren't going to be supervised, then I send them back into their pen where they fall on their food like they are starving. Silly ducks.

 

[Miss Lydia]

My ducks only have feed in their pen, so when they are running around "helping" in the garden, they don't have access to it. When I decide they've run around enough or if they aren't going to be supervised, then I send them back into their pen where they fall on their food like they are starving.

Silly ducks.

Poor things, one of these days your going to get a visit from animal welfare for an anonymous tip you have starved your flock. When call is traced back it leads to the pen.

 

[Krazyquilts]

Poor things, one of these days your going to get a visit from animal welfare for an anonymous tip you have starved your flock. When call is traced back it leads to the pen.

And when that happens, I will dramatically point out their badonka-duck butts and my feed bill receipts.

 

[swp247]

I keep a pan of pellets available with a large rubber bowl of water next to it in the duck yard. They free range in the day and go back to their yard every afternoon and eat the pellets. They also eat when I put them in their duck house in evening.