Hungry Pekin Ducks

Discussion in 'Planting, growing, nurturing Plants' started by ho-hum, Nov 7, 2009.

  1. ho-hum

    ho-hum New Member

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    In April I bought home [3500kms] four nearly grown Pekin Ducks.

    I lost one to a snake some time ago so now they are three.

    For the first few months I had them they ate prodigious amounts of food & commercial grain/pellets and were also free ranged. I was actually concerned at the amount they were consuming as they were becoming expensive 'pet's In the past 2 months their food intake has backed off to the point that their provided food is now negligible and often not finished. Nutrition wise they are doing well because the female is consistently laying 2 -4 eggs a week, which is pretty good all considered.

    These birds are obtaining the bulk of their food requirements in around 2 - 2.5 hours of free ranging per day. They have access to a waterbath outside their pen and there is always something for them to graze. They are going for the broadleaf weeds thus have nailed all the amaranth but they are also getting rid of any ngari burr seedlings. This area is outside my civilised garden and is mostly couch. The ducks also have access to my little banana patch which is a damp sort of an area. About 10 bananas, cassava, arrowroot, pigeon pea, sweetpotato and a really happy HAPPY plant grow in 2 lines there.

    I bought them, show bird quality [and expensive] because my wife likes ducks. I am really pleased that they have turned into a real permaculture duck for us. They are a big duck maybe 6kg so not really a backyard duck. If you keep their pen dry their manure is easily collected as a solid. It comes up like 40mm tiles. I put about 4 'tiles' a square shovel's worth around a smallish banana and I suspect I set it back. The only big plants I have seen the ducks eat is grapevine and banana as a last resort.

    Now I supposedly uploaded a photo but no idea if and where it will appear.

    cheers,

    ho-hum
     
  2. ho-hum

    ho-hum New Member

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    Re: Hungry Pekin Ducks

    HOLY SNAPPING DUCKS**T, IT WORKED!!!

    Dont worry about the 'reader' count.. the first 300 will be mine to see if it REALLY worked.

    :)
     
  3. Michaelangelica

    Michaelangelica Junior Member

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    Re: Hungry Pekin Ducks

    LOL
    The delights of finally working out how Computer Programmer's minds work.
    Now on to the next challenge. How do I fix my Ativar.
     

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