Backyard ducks are becoming increasingly popular as pets in American homes, bringing joy and excitement to life with their spunky personalities and ability to bond with their human families. Among the various breeds, Call ducks stand out as the smallest domestic ducks, making them perfect for beginner pet owners due to their smaller resource needs and economical upkeep. However, despite their size, Call ducks require proper care and attention, especially when it comes to their diet.
Understanding the Dietary Needs of Call Ducks
Like all ducks, Call ducks are omnivores, meaning their diet should consist of both plant and animal matter. In nature, ducks forage for a variety of foods, including insects, seeds, aquatic plants, and crustaceans. Therefore, the best diet for your Call ducks should mimic what they would eat in the wild.
The Importance of a Balanced Diet
Backyard ducks rely on a healthy balance of foraging in your yard and the diet their owners provide for a long, healthy, happy life. A complete and balanced diet is essential for their overall health and well-being. This includes providing them with adequate protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals.
Niacin Requirement
Ducks and ducklings need more niacin (or Vitamin B3) than chickens. In fact, they need about twice as much niacin. Niacin supports a duck’s skeletal development, and without it, ducks of all ages can develop a niacin deficiency and related health issues.
Choosing the Right Feed for Your Call Ducks
Finding the right feed for your Call ducks can be a challenge, especially if you don't have access to waterfowl-specific feeds. Many flock owners rely on high-quality, balanced chicken feed supplemented to fulfill their dietary needs. The goal is to find a feed that keeps their feathers in good condition without causing them to become overweight.
Read also: The Hoxsey Diet
Commercial Feed Options
- Poultry Feed: If you have a mixed flock of ducks, chickens, and other birds, you can feed them a base diet of poultry feed. Look for options like Little Pecks, Fresh Pecks, and All Flock, which are formulated to reflect a duck’s need for niacin.
- Duck Starter Feed: Conveniently, baby ducks can eat a balanced chick starter feed. When choosing a starter chick feed for your ducklings, select a feed with 25+mb/lb of niacin. Many chick starter feeds lack the necessary amount of niacin your ducklings will need to grow strong and healthy bones and joints.
- Adult Duck Pellets: Adult duck pellets can be purchased from farm stores or livestock feed outlets.
Important Considerations When Selecting Feed
- Pellets vs. Crumbles: Provide your ducks with pellet feed rather than crumbles. Crumbles can lead to digestive problems, including blockages.
- Medicated Feed: Avoid chick feeds containing medication designed for chicks, as these can lead to dangerous overdoses in ducklings.
- Protein Content: Ducklings need a lot of protein in their first two weeks of life. If your chick feed has under 20% protein, you will want to supplement with an additional source of protein, such as Grubblies. After their first two weeks, you will want to reduce the amount of protein your ducklings receive. Aim for about 16% and 18% protein for your ducklings between 3 and 20 weeks of age.
- Flock Raiser: Be careful with Flock Raiser, as it can cause ducks to get really fat.
Supplementing with Fresh Foods and Treats
In addition to commercial feed, supplementing your Call ducks' diet with fresh foods and treats can provide them with essential nutrients and mental enrichment.
Safe and Nutritious Options:
- Vegetables: Romaine lettuce, peas, corn.
- Fruits: (in moderation)
- Grains: Pasta, noodles, rice, grains.
- Proteins: Cooked eggs, crickets (in winter), minnows (in summer).
Foods to Avoid:
- Nightshades (such as tomatoes and eggplant): Under-ripe tomatoes can contain alkaloids that can be poisonous to ducks.
- Bread products: This is the junk food of the duck world.
Feeding Guidelines for Call Ducks
Frequency and Amount
- Ducklings: Ducklings need more meals per day than their adult counterparts. Ideally, your ducklings will have a free choice diet, where they have food available whenever they feel a bit peckish.
- Adults: Provide a consistent amount of feed each day, adjusting as needed based on their weight and activity level.
How Ducks Eat
Ducks have a unique way of eating. They dip their beaks into their water and swallow their food in a manner that looks like they’re shaking their heads. This endearing habit, often called “dabbling,” helps your ducks avoid choking on their feed.
Feeding Setup
- Feed Bowls: Use a wide, flat bowl with a heavy base to prevent your ducks from knocking it over.
- Water: Dispense fresh water every day in a drinker. Avoid bowls of water, as your ducks may feel compelled to tip over or play inside their water bowl.
- Grit: Supply an all-round access to grit. Grit will assist your call ducks to grind down food in their gizzard.
Additional Tips for Keeping Your Call Ducks Healthy
- Provide a Calcium Supplement: Provide a calcium supplement during summer months to stimulate egg production.
- Maintain a Clean Environment: Clean their housing regularly, and supervise them each day if you plan on keeping free-range ducks.
- Store Food Properly: Mold can be fatal for ducks. Be sure to store your duck’s feed in a dry, cool location.
- Mental Enrichment: Like all pets, ducks need mental enrichment and benefit from healthy snacks. Providing your ducks with a delicious snack, such as Grubblies is a great way to replicate their natural diet of insects and instinctual need to forage for grubs!
- Provide Shelter: Even though ducks are good at weathering cold and wet climates, they need shelter from storms and persistent cold. Provide a duck house, chicken coop or similar place for them to shelter in, as they wish.
Housing and Space Requirements
Call ducks need a minimum of 12 square feet of floor space each per duck in their run, and half that inside their pen. However, a little more space won't go unappreciated if necessary.
Monitoring Your Call Ducks' Health
While you're spending time with your flock, take the chance to observe them for any changes in appearance or behavior.
Read also: Walnut Keto Guide
Read also: Weight Loss with Low-FODMAP