Ducks on the Pasture.

Three weeks ago we picked up the meat ducks. They were hatched on April 7th, and arrived on April 8th.

Winnie has taken on the role of Mama Duck.

Every time we turn around she is feeding her baby duckies.

At Day 11 they averaged 0.35 kg.

At day 14 they weighed an average of 0.5kg.

Then on day 20, we moved them out to pasture.

We took two trips carrying them out in a rubbermade tote.

They no sooner hit the ground than they started nibbling at the grass, but of course, ducks are not herbivores.

So even though they are “pasture-raised” ducks, they are not pasture fed. They are still getting fed as they move around the pasture.

The question then is why are we putting them on the pasture at all if they don’t eat grass? The answer is two-fold.

First, grass is cleaner. The super power of the baby duck is making a mess, and it doesn’t matter how much bedding you have, they will be living in their own filth in a few days.

Secondly, bugs live in the grass, and ducks love bugs. They like bugs, slugs and worms and all manner of invertebrates.

Thirdly, poop. Why waste all that delicious poop, when we can just feed it to the pasture.

They now average 0.78kg, as of yesterday (day 21).

So far, one died early for some reason, and six are sold. That leaves us thirteen ducks. We still have a few to sell if anyone is interested.