What should i feed my pekin duck

If there is any question about the freshness of your ducks food, remember this basic rule of thumb; when in doubt, throw it out. Ducks should get plenty of fresh feed daily. Extra feed should be disposed of daily, especially in wet or humid weather. Many ducks like to dip their pellets in water while eating, and should have a bowl of fresh water nearby.

Access to clean, fresh water is very important for all ducks. Ducks need a constant supply of fresh water for drinking, as well as access to water for swimming and bathing. Ducks are very susceptible to botulism, and for this reason it is important that their water supply is kept clean and well aerated.

In artificial ponds or pools, this means regularly removing dead leaves and other plant matter, as well as periodic draining and cleaning. In a natural pond, this means making sure the water is not polluted by household or industrial effluents, and removing any dead animals from the water. Plastic or stainless steel food and water dishes are safest for your birds. Zinc-coated, or galvanized, metal dishes can leach heavy metals into the water and food supply, causing toxicity.

Wash containers with soap and water daily. Containers are best placed in a location where the birds can not defecate in them. Drip watering systems are difficult to clean, and encourage buildup or bacteria, algae, and parasites. We do not recommend their use. Ducks need a well-built shelter that will protect them from cold, wind, and rain. It must also be strong enough to protect them from predators.

Predators can also come from above, so make sure you provide protection from raptors. Since ducks are messy, make sure the shelter is easy to clean. A concrete floor is best, as it is relatively easy to wash and disinfect.

Concrete alone, however, is too rough for duck feet, and the floor must be covered with a thick layer of sand, peat moss, straw, or sawdust? It is important that ducks be able to sit with their abdomen on a dry surface, and litter must be changed or over strewn regularly to remove fecal material. If you need more information on building a safe enclosure for your ducks, there are numbers of books available that can provide you with step-by-step guidelines. It is important to check on your ducks every morning and every night.

Please note that this is based on information provided by the suppliers and may be different than what is currently offered. Also please note that The Open Sanctuary Project does not endorse any product or brand, nor do we receive sponsorship from any product or brand. Some duck breeds lay close to the same number of eggs as chickens typically exploited for eggs and may require a diet more similar to that of an actively laying chicken to make up for the high nutritional deficit created by egg-laying.

A scratch grain-only diet may result in nutritional deficiencies. Majestic Waterfowl recommends feeding a mix of Mazuri Waterfowl Maintenance and Mazuri Waterfowl Breeder, increasing the percentage of Breeder formula based on how much the ducks are laying. If you are feeding female ducks who are no longer laying due to age, you may need to adjust their nutrition in terms of overall calorie or protein ratios. You should consider having a discussion with a qualified avian veterinarian about food recommendations for different kinds of ducks in your care.

In addition to feeding a high quality food, you must be sure to store the food properly to ensure your residents reap all the nutritional benefits.

Food will keep best if kept in a cool, dry, dark place. All food, including unopened bags, should be stored in tightly sealed metal cans or thick plastic bins to prevent rodents from getting into food. Storing food too long or in undesirable conditions can not only lead to rancid or moldy food, but can also cause food to become depleted of vitamins and minerals. Be aware that you should never feed rancid or moldy food to ducks as it can make them very sick.

There are a number of foods that contain potential toxins or substances ducks cannot digest or tolerate. You can find our list of potentially toxic foods here.

There are a number of plants that you should work to prevent ducks from accessing. This keeps them happy and can also serve as a motivator if you need them to go to a specific area.

Some good treats include:. You should always consult with a veterinarian or avian expert when deciding how to treat duck health issues , as natural remedies rarely will work as the sole solution for many ailments, especially when it comes to pain or infections. Here are some natural supplements that you can employ alongside medical treatment in order to help out the flock:.

Stick with the basics at first and modify depending on what the birds in your care are looking for. See a more detailed explanation here. Grains include any small, hard grass family seeds like oats, corn, or wheat. Ducks require nearly twice as much niacin in their diets than chickens in order to remain healthy.

Poisonous Plants To Avoid There are a number of plants that you should work to prevent ducks from accessing. For Babies: Baby ducks need a type of food referred to as "chick starter. Avoid medicated food for ducklings; ducks have strong immune systems, and the extra medicine could weaken them. With a solid coop, a flock of hearty Pekins can easily withstand harsh temperatures.

Whether you want to keep Pekins as pets, for eggs, for meat, or for some other purpose, you'll need to make sure their living environment is suited to their needs. Ducks are hardy creatures and can survive extreme hot and cold temperatures. In the winter, they need a draft-free shelter with hay on the floor.

In the summer, they need shade and extra water. Contrary to popular belief, ducks do not need water to swim in; they only need water deep enough to clean out their bills. Most ducks do love to swim, so providing a place for them to do so is definitely a good idea—it just isn't technically necessary. Cleanliness and predators are the main things you need to watch out for. Ducks poop! Pens can get messy fast, so keeping the coop and pen clean is of utmost importance to avoid sickness outbreaks and keep healthy ducks.

I can't stress how important it is to keep the feed containers, pen, and coop clean. A healthy duck is a happy duck. To keep the coop free from predators, you have to understand what predators you might encounter. For instance, protecting your Pekins from the neighbors' dog or a raccoon is different than protecting the coop from a bear or a pack of coyotes. Know the predators in your area and adjust accordingly. For ducks, the breeding process isn't very pleasant for the females, but there are steps you can take to reduce the risk of harm.

Pekins rarely sit on their eggs, so an alternative incubation method is usually required. Often, an incubator or broody hen will get the job done. Pekin eggs, like those of most descendants of the mallard, take approximately 28 days to hatch and require consistent temperature and humidity as well as the tedious turning of the egg throughout the day.

This is why an automatic incubator is often the preferred choice for Pekin eggs. The mating ritual of a breeding duck can be hard to watch. It helps to make sure the girls are happy. Five girls should be assigned to one boy. Too many boys can make for a situation where the males get aggressive and hurt the hens. A small pool of water makes this experience much more desirable for the little ladies. Since Pekins are descendants of the mallard duck, they can breed with just about any domestic duck in the world.

I love watching baby ducks run around the yard and am always excited to see what new type of birds or eggs I will get! If you intend to breed show-quality birds, keep in mind that you must be prepared to cull the flock of the young ducks at an early age. Baby ducks are nearly impossible to sex before eight weeks of age.

There is a method called sex venting that can be done within the first 24 hours, but it is often misunderstood and can hurt or kill a baby duck if done improperly. The easiest way to tell if your Pekin duck is a male or female is by its quack. Girls have a loud honk, and boys have a quieter quack.

Male ducks also have a drake feather, which is a curled feather at the end of the tail. This alone, however, isn't enough information for accurate sexing.

Watch the video below for a more in-depth explanation. Although some of these ducks are not technically Pekins, they are often confused with Pekins and have nearly identical features and traits. Refer to the included images for a visual reference to these varieties.

The American Pekin is a large, hearty bird that doesn't feel as fragile as other common domestic ducks. They were introduced to America from China in by James E. Palmer, who started the American flock with six hens and three drakes. Palmer loaded fifteen birds on the ship, and only nine made the trip across the pond. Over half of America's commercial ducks today are Pekins! These ducks are seen throughout the U. They also exist as pets, and some even live independently in parks.

The American Pekin duck lays about eggs per year and is rarely broody; the eggs generally need to be incubated by keepers. Sexing is often difficult until maturity. Drakes do possess a drake feather, which is a single curled feather on the tail.

The female has a much louder quack than the drake.