Hi everyone got my first ayelsbury ducklings was wondering when they switch over to adult food and what's best to give them? They are 4 1/2 weeks old

Hi

what are they on at the min? chick crumb? If so they can go on adult food now, best to give them layer pellets, some people will say put them on growers till around 16weeks old then to layers but it makes the bodys grow quicker than the legs and then the duck cant balance properly.

The best way to change over is to put half chick crumb and half layer pellets in a bowl for about a week then after that just feed them layer pellets.


hope that helps anymore questions just ask


mitch

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Thanks mitch, that's a great help. How much should I be feeding them,as I've been topping them up everytime they get low.
One of them has developed bald patches around it's eyes, is that normal? Thanks.

Its proberly a female thinking she has eye lashes and plucking them out haha . It could be new feathers coming through, let me know if it dont get any better.

Are the ducklings still indoors and under heat? if so they can go outside now in the day as thy dont need heat anymore dont put them out if its raining heavy as they will look like drowned rats as they havnt got their adult feathers yet few more weeks and they will be fine. I put mine out at 4weeks now they are around 6weeks old and they go out in all weather.

FOOD- If they are outside on grass just give them about 2-3 pints and they will eat it when they want to as they will eat other things in the garden aswell, after awhile you will know how much they eat so just keep a track. I have bowls for each of breed of ducks and sometimes they have food left over,
another idea is get a dog bowl and fill it will duck food and just keep track on how much they eat out of it and then only give them what they eat, if they eat it all dont give them anymore as they will eat out the garden like worms and that.

You can feed them scraps of veg, mixed corn and wheat aswell but not to much only as a treat.

I only feed mine layers pellets and super mixed corn as i breed my ducks.

mitch

__________________
My new website bits still under construction http://www.gardenquackers.weebly.com
Ducks - Crested bali runners, Cayugas, Muscovys, Chickens - Silkies, Silver Spangled Hamburgs, Lemon Millefluer Sablepoots

http://chickensandpoultry.co.uk/data...ster_flyer.pdf

Thanks mitch that's so helpful. I'm thinking of getting some Indian runners to go with me ayelsbury ducks do you live anywhere near Reading if I wanted to buy some from you?

Ps. Would they get on together

Hi

Im from leicester and its 125 miles away from reading (google maps is handy ) sorry... If you are ever passing just give me a pm, I have bali runner duckling most of the times, I got 8 in my kitchen at the minute they going poultry market tho on friday.


Yeah they will get on fine with your aylesburys.

runners are really nice birds and funny to watch and they walk like penguins.

mitch

__________________
My new website bits still under construction http://www.gardenquackers.weebly.com
Ducks - Crested bali runners, Cayugas, Muscovys, Chickens - Silkies, Silver Spangled Hamburgs, Lemon Millefluer Sablepoots

http://chickensandpoultry.co.uk/data...ster_flyer.pdf

Thanks again mitch realy helpful matey. Speak to you soon