Can ducks get fat?

Question

Do you have to provide water for older ducklings or adult ducks 24/7? Or should you hvae certain feeding periods?

Answer 1

Yes, but they don't get fat bellys like humans, they just get larger frames(overall body). Yes, buy a kiddie pool so they can swim and drink from it.

Answer 2

Ducks live in water. So yes best to give them water 24/7. Give them food bowls and change their food everyday and wash the bowls out properly. All animals can get fat if they don't have enough exercise. If they don't have anywhere to run about then they are most probably overweight compared to a wild duck. Most birds that are kept as pets and don't fly are overweight.

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http://www.geocities.com/petduckassociation/

Answer 3

Ducks can get fat just like ever other animal. Ducks enjoy swimming in water but keep in mind if you not only have to put up with the smell of the water after they go to the bathroom in it (and they will trust me) You have to clean it up. Providing water is nesscary but I'd do it in a small pan or dispenser so they'd made less of a mess with it. Besides typical feed I don't know of anything special they need.

Answer 4

swimming water or drinking water? Adult ducks and ducklings should always have drinking water available and it must be deep enough they can get their entire beaks into. (not chicken waterers). They don't HAVE to have swimming water. An occasional sprinkler they'll LOVE though. Yes they can get fat. If that's an issue limit feed and let them forage part of the day.

Answer 5

Growing ducks should be allowed free access to feed and water at all times. Proper feeder and waterer height, maintenance and sanitation are essential for achieving uniform flock growth and health. Small feeders should be used until the ducklings are 2 weeks of age. Larger feed hoppers should be used for older ducks. The feeder pan height should be at a level even with the back of the average duck. Waterer pan height should be even with the lower neck area of the average duck and water nipples should be adjusted at a slightly higher level. Feeders and waterers that are too low result in excessive wastage. Those that are too high restrict feed and water access to the smallest ducks and thus increase size variation in the flock.

Waterers and feeders must be kept as clean as possible at all times. Shelter feeders from the sun, wind, rain, and snow to minimize feed spoilage. Feed hoppers that are used outdoors should have lids that fit securely. If feed hoppers are placed within a building or pen and water supplies are placed outside, the hoppers should be closed overnight to prevent the ducks from choking on dry feed. Water may be supplied in hand-filled water fountains or by automatic waterers. To prevent wet litter, place the water supply above wire flooring or on a screened drain when in confinement. Waterers should be cleaned and sanitized with a commercial non-toxic disinfectant at least 3 times a week. Avoid pouring the rinse water on the litter, rather pour it into a bucket and remove it from the pen to help maintain a dry, clean environment for the ducks. Check daily to see that the waterers and feeders are working properly and not leaking or spilling.

Because young ducklings grow rapidly, they should have adequate floor, feeder, and waterer space. For the first three weeks, allow 2 square foot of space per duckling on wire and 1 square foot per duckling on litter. If confinement rearing is practiced, increase the floor space to 2.5 square feet per duckling through 7 weeks of age. Ducks should be given at least 1.5 linear inches of feeder space and 0.5 linear inches of waterer space per duckling at all times. Larger ducks such as the Muscovy may require some additional space.

Ducks are waterfowl, so they are instinctively attracted to water. This characteristic can cause a serious wet litter problem if the waterer is not designed properly or maintained at a proper height. If ducks are raised in confinement and subsequently released to a pond, a water bath is helpful for ducks to preen an keep their plumage properly oiled. This will help keep their feathers in good condition and give them the ability to swim in a pond.

Answer 6

I think that they can. I have a bird and when he doesn't get enough exercise he gets a little wide around the hips! I assume it is the same for ducks.

Answer 7

Yes ducks can get fat.

Answer 8

i never seen a fat duck

Answer 9

Ofcourse I have a goose at home and he got a lot heavier than when we bought him. He also loves water. ALOT!

Answer 10

i think you should give it feeding periods.