How to feed ducklings being raised by mother?

[Smartconnect]

Hello all,

I have a Muscovy duck getting ready to hatch her first clutch, but don't know how to provide starter food and water to the ducklings. They are in a converted child's playhouse (5X4') and small (6X8') pen segregated from the rest of ducks. My question is this: how to provide the ducklings access to their food and water, but not to the mother's food and water (and vice versa)? If anyone has this situation and could provide pics of the arrangement, it would be of great help!

Thanks!

 

[Smartconnect]

Well, this has been unhelpful.

 

[subhanalah]

Feed everyone waterfowl starter?

 

[Smartconnect]

Unfortunately, that is what I'll end up doing, which may further delay the duck from laying again (ducklings can't be allowed to eat layer feed). The main reason for wanting to separate them for feeding is the amount of work/expense for feeding ducklings (from preparing their food, to offering it in a way they eat it and not ruin it) is bad enough without the ducklings having to compete with mom.
Feeding them all the same starter would be the easiest way, but not the ideal way...

 

[subhanalah]

What I would do is start fermenting your feed. I'm using flock raiser for all of my poultry babies, and they seem to be doing well on it.

Fermenting feed will take care of a lot of your Concerns like food wastage and spoilage.

It also has many other health benefits for the birds.
http://tikktok.wordpress.com/2014/04/13/fermented-feed-faq/

 

[spangledcornish]

Unfortunately, that is what I'll end up doing, which may further delay the duck from laying again (ducklings can't be allowed to eat layer feed). The main reason for wanting to separate them for feeding is the amount of work/expense for feeding ducklings (from preparing their food, to offering it in a way they eat it and not ruin it) is bad enough without the ducklings having to compete with mom.
Feeding them all the same starter would be the easiest way, but not the ideal way...

If you really want the hen to start laying earlier again you can always separate the the ducklings form the mother, the feed will not influence when she comes into production again while she has the ducklings. Also the starter is good for the mother as it is higher in protein and energy. the birds have usually lost some weight after nesting.