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Rob, Hi. I've been raising chickens & ducks for the last fifteen years. Mostly for eggs, though I've raised some meat birds too. For ducks, I've had Pekin, Mallards & currently Crested Buffs. Here are some thoughts:
I feed ducks layer pellets cause that's what I got. They do not need more protein than that. While they don't need swimming water, they need plenty of fresh clean water. I change my ducks water bowl at least twice a day. Until you sit and watch how they feed, you won't understand how they can get their water so dirty. Without water to wash their food, they can & will choke. While they don't need swimming water, they’d love you for some. I don't have a pond on the property so I took a 55-gallon plastic drum and cut it in half the long way. Then sealed and bolted the ends together. During spring summer and fall, I change the water once a week (algae). Man do they like it. Keeps them clean too. For bedding I use old hay. Shavings work too. I muck out the hay once a week or so and refresh it. Ducks, unlike chickens make for a wet mess. I'm in the northeast and all my birds are outside year round. They do have small closed shelters for the cold nights. Never found it necessary for heating. If you can let your ducks range a bit, they will eat tons of grubs, bugs, etc. I keep all my birds penned, unless I'm around outside, then I let them range for an hour ot two. Ducks again, unlike chickens will not come in at dusk to roost. They will range as long as allowed. Unfortunately ducks, raccoons, and night do not all get along. I found my Pekins to be the most broody. Raised several hatches themselves in the barn. Give your ducks a nest box if you got hens to keep the eggs layed in one spot. This helps keep them cleaner than being all over the ground. Good Luck, Jim
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