How much should a duck eat?

[Jlw0903]

I got two female rouens, 2 female swedish ducks, a female cayuga and a male cayuga. They are all 11mo old.These little fatties have started to eat over 18cups of food total in a day even when I give them treats or let them free range. I dont want to over feed them but also as my girls are all laying I want to make sure they have everything they need too.

Thanks in advance

 

[CoriM]

I’d like to know as well. My three Perkins and three Welsh can eat a forty pound bag of feed in two weeks. They also get peas and kale and mealworms everyday and free range a little bit. If I try to cut them back at all they act like they’re starving and I give in! They all lay an egg everyday so maybe this is the right amount, it just feels like a lot.

 

[Texag87]

I am feeding about 6 cups a day to one runner drake, two Rouen ducks, one K/C duck,and one Pekin. They are all fat except the drake. They free range for about half an hour a day and get treats almost every day. Unless you are in a colder climate I am inclined to believe you may have a worm problem. Temperatures matter though because mine were eating more when it was colder.maybe some experts can help. @Miss Lydia @casportpony , @DuckyDonna @Pyxis

 

[Ratchnick]

.4 To .6 lbs a day for bigger breed ducks. That's what the book says at least.

 

[Ratchnick]

I’d like to know as well. My three Perkins and three Welsh can eat a forty pound bag of feed in two weeks. They also get peas and kale and mealworms everyday and free range a little bit. If I try to cut them back at all they act like they’re starving and I give in! They all lay an egg everyday so maybe this is the right amount, it just feels like a lot.

If your pekins ate .6 each per day each and the welsh .4 That's 3 lbs/day or 42 lbs in 2 weeks. I would say book is pretty accurate.

 

[Jlw0903]

I am feeding about 6 cups a day to one runner drake, two Rouen ducks, one K/C duck,and one Pekin. They are all fat except the drake. They free range for about half an hour a day and get treats almost every day. Unless you are in a colder climate I am inclined to believe you may have a worm problem. Temperatures matter though because mine were eating more when it was colder.maybe some experts can help. @Miss Lydia @casportpony , @DuckyDonna @Pyxis

They are eating more now than when it was colder. Are there other signs of worms? They seem to be acting normal and aren't looking like they are losing weight or anything.

What can I do if they do have worms?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Are they laying daily and getting exercise? That in itself makes them need more calories. @casportpony has a good thread about worming. What part of the country are you in or countries? Usually ducks aren’t as prone to internal parasites unless kept in horrible conditions.

 

[Jlw0903]

Are they laying daily and getting exercise? That in itself makes them need more calories. @casportpony has a good thread about worming. What part of the country are you in or countries? Usually ducks aren’t as prone to internal parasites unless kept in horrible conditions.

Yes they lay everyday. During the week they dont get out much because I work long hours but on the weekend I let them out for at least an hour each day and they run all around my property. They seem to eat the same amount of food on the weekend as they do during the week.

 

[Jlw0903]

However it is also true that all this began to happen shortly after my last two ladies began laying so perhaps it's just a higher calorie need. But I am just curious if anyone else keeps an eye on how much their ducks eat and if 2-3cups of food per duck seems normal. It seems excessive as my 60lbs dog eats 4 cups a food a day of high calorie dog food due to his activeness (hed be eating about 5 cups if he was on a typical brand like purina just to keep weight on)

 

[Miss Lydia]

I can tell ya mine are piggies mainly my Runners an Buffs. They consume the most feed and are the most active. My Muscovy aren’t near as hungry but they are also not as active. My Runners am Buffs are my layers too. I put out 2 pints of feed each to 2 long feeders and 1 pt in a rubber feeder. I have 34 birds 18 water fowl and 16 chickens I don’t watch who eats what but usually by days end there is still some left over. But not always. Mine also get a mid day treat of dry dog kibble dried meal worms and 6 way scratch tossed out on the ground for fun. One thing we don’t want is our females getting over weight it can cause egg laying problems. There are ways to keep them eating though with out putting on weight head of cabbage hung in their pen heads of romaine lettuce tossed out. I watch for sales of greens. Mine also have half acre to forage on but bugs etc are just coming out here.