Can you show us what you are using for their portable water system and where the lay eggs? Do they just lay straight on the ground or do you have a raised nest to keep the eggs from getting dirty/trampled?
Khaki Campbells tend to be smaller than other breeds. We have some white layers, a Pekin, Indian Runners and Rouens in addition to the Khakis, and they are all bigger. I would wait until they are at their adult size. We tend to move them out before they are grown and keep them in mobile chicken tractors so they can start foraging early, but remain protected. If I recall me move them out around 4-6 weeks and let them start free ranging about 10-12 weeks.
Our pastures are mostly Bahia grass. We don't control for any specific plant. We overseed rye grass, clovers and a few other cool seasons grasses. The ducks are consuming some of all of these as a percentage of their diet, but not exclusively. There are waterfowl mixes that you can purchase that you might plant for them.
Do ducks actually need bagged grains? Can I have healthy ducks with just pasture? Looking for a self sustaining or more natural way of raising them, without having to buy the bags of food, if they don’t need it
The answer to your question would depend on what is available as an energy source in the environment you provide them and whether or not they are thriving. This answer could also change throughout the seasons.
Is my birth country they raise the Mallards ducks to be very aggressive. They thirst for the blood. Then they fight the other ducks for entertain. Similar to cockfights in the great United States
That's awesome! I started my pastured hens and geese this year and hope to add ducks 2024. Your place is beautiful!
Great information! Thanks
Love it!
Instablaster...
Can you show us what you are using for their portable water system and where the lay eggs? Do they just lay straight on the ground or do you have a raised nest to keep the eggs from getting dirty/trampled?
Ducks lay their eggs on the ground. They are dirty, but easily cleaned. Broken eggs are rare. We run water lines to them like we do the chickens.
how many ducks per acre of pasture of Alfa alfa ?
Nice info dude how old would you free range Khaki Campbell's with no fence ?
Khaki Campbells tend to be smaller than other breeds. We have some white layers, a Pekin, Indian Runners and Rouens in addition to the Khakis, and they are all bigger. I would wait until they are at their adult size. We tend to move them out before they are grown and keep them in mobile chicken tractors so they can start foraging early, but remain protected. If I recall me move them out around 4-6 weeks and let them start free ranging about 10-12 weeks.
Question: what forage? Heard that tall fescue was toxic to ducks... what blend would you recommend?
Our pastures are mostly Bahia grass. We don't control for any specific plant. We overseed rye grass, clovers and a few other cool seasons grasses. The ducks are consuming some of all of these as a percentage of their diet, but not exclusively. There are waterfowl mixes that you can purchase that you might plant for them.
Can you primarily raise them on pastureland (if you have a lot of it) after they leave the brooder? Great video! Thank you.
You can run them on pasture. That is the only place we have ever ran them. They do need more water than other poultry though.
Great video. Where do you sell your ducks ?
Do ducks actually need bagged grains? Can I have healthy ducks with just pasture? Looking for a self sustaining or more natural way of raising them, without having to buy the bags of food, if they don’t need it
The answer to your question would depend on what is available as an energy source in the environment you provide them and whether or not they are thriving. This answer could also change throughout the seasons.
Thank you, that makes sense.
Have you ever considered running geese on that pasture?
I have considered it, but the lay rate for geese is low for a production model.
Is my birth country they raise the Mallards ducks to be very aggressive. They thirst for the blood. Then they fight the other ducks for entertain. Similar to cockfights in the great United States
Where you from just curious 🤔