Hello all,
I need to ask an updated question about the ducklings. They were hatched around March 21, so they are about 2-1/2 months old. I THINK they are some kind of buff cross, buff/runner cross, and the black ones may be black swedish, or crosses of that. I have a male and female of each type (2 yellow/brown ones, and 2 mostly black ones).
I am feeding starter/grower, and I give them a large cupful (I think it holds about 16-20 oz. liquid twice a day. Sometimes I give an extra 1/2 cupful. They free range all day, but it's been a bit dry around here. They have about 2/3 of an acre to roam over, with all sorts of weeds and some grass, and it's a pretty rural/woodsy area so a fair amout of bugs (except like I said it's been dry).
I really don't know if I am feeding them enough. It is *impossible* to feed them all they want. They would never stop eating. They do forage around all over for a good bit of the day, taking breaks to swim and rest in the shade. They call loudly when it's time to eat, but usually seem satisfied the rest of the day.
They feel "meaty" when I pick them up, which isn't often because they don't want to be held. The blacks are heavier and thicker than the yellow/browns.
I noticed the runner-looking one has a crease down his chest, like a separation of the breast. He has a long thin neck anyway, and I thought he was a runner cross. Now the others have a tiny little crease there too. Maybe this is a stupid question, but does that mean they are too skinny?
Or, how can I know how much to feed them? I haven't increased the feed much since they started free-ranging, because I want them to forage, and that was the reason for getting ducks in the first place. But I surely don't want to deprive them or feed them too little either. I can't believe I don't know how much to feed them ... I've kept all kinds of animals and never had to wonder if I was feeding enough before, but I guess I just don't know a thing about ducks.
Hopefully I can get pics developed soon.
Thanks if anyone can help?
trish
I need to ask an updated question about the ducklings. They were hatched around March 21, so they are about 2-1/2 months old. I THINK they are some kind of buff cross, buff/runner cross, and the black ones may be black swedish, or crosses of that. I have a male and female of each type (2 yellow/brown ones, and 2 mostly black ones).
I am feeding starter/grower, and I give them a large cupful (I think it holds about 16-20 oz. liquid twice a day. Sometimes I give an extra 1/2 cupful. They free range all day, but it's been a bit dry around here. They have about 2/3 of an acre to roam over, with all sorts of weeds and some grass, and it's a pretty rural/woodsy area so a fair amout of bugs (except like I said it's been dry).
I really don't know if I am feeding them enough. It is *impossible* to feed them all they want. They would never stop eating. They do forage around all over for a good bit of the day, taking breaks to swim and rest in the shade. They call loudly when it's time to eat, but usually seem satisfied the rest of the day.
They feel "meaty" when I pick them up, which isn't often because they don't want to be held. The blacks are heavier and thicker than the yellow/browns.
I noticed the runner-looking one has a crease down his chest, like a separation of the breast. He has a long thin neck anyway, and I thought he was a runner cross. Now the others have a tiny little crease there too. Maybe this is a stupid question, but does that mean they are too skinny?
Or, how can I know how much to feed them? I haven't increased the feed much since they started free-ranging, because I want them to forage, and that was the reason for getting ducks in the first place. But I surely don't want to deprive them or feed them too little either. I can't believe I don't know how much to feed them ... I've kept all kinds of animals and never had to wonder if I was feeding enough before, but I guess I just don't know a thing about ducks.
Hopefully I can get pics developed soon.
Thanks if anyone can help?
trish