Ducks are among the fastest meat birds: a Pekin duckling puts on more than three kilograms in seven weeks. But there’s a catch that wrecks first-timers’ plans: after week eight the juvenile molt begins, and you can no longer pluck a clean carcass.
The first three weeks
Day-old ducklings need about 30 °C (86 °F) under the heat source in week one; after that, lower it by 3–4 degrees a week. They grow fast, and by week three they only need heat at night and in cold weather.
Water matters more for ducklings than for chicks. They don’t just drink — they rinse their nostrils and eyes, so the drinker must let a duckling dip its whole bill. Nipple drinkers aren’t enough. More on watering in water for ducks.
Ducklings need more niacin (vitamin B3) than chicks. On chick starter without a supplement their legs weaken and bow. Use duckling feed or check the formulation with the manufacturer.
How much they eat and weigh
Guidelines for Pekin and Moulard ducks on complete compound feed:
| Age | Live weight, kg | Feed per week, kg per bird |
|---|---|---|
| 1 week | 0.2–0.25 | 0.2 |
| 3 weeks | 1.0–1.2 | 0.9–1.1 |
| 5 weeks | 2.2–2.5 | 1.5–1.7 |
| 7 weeks | 3.0–3.5 | 1.8–2.0 |
Over seven weeks a duck eats 8–9 kg of feed, a feed conversion of about 2.6–2.9. On grain mash and grass ducks grow slower but the feed is cheaper. Which pays better for you is a matter of numbers, not tradition.
When to slaughter
Pekins are slaughtered at 7–8 weeks, Moulards at 8–10. The sign they’re ready: wing feathers reach the tail and cross over the back, and plucking leaves no pin feathers.
Miss it and the juvenile molt starts: the skin fills with pin feathers and the carcass loses its looks. You then wait 3–4 weeks for it to finish, and all that time the duck eats while barely gaining. So set the slaughter date in advance, at placement, and agree it with your buyer.
Space and litter
- Up to 3 weeks, about 15–20 ducklings per m²; at slaughter, 4–5 birds per m² indoors.
- Ducks soak their litter. Top up with dry material daily, especially around drinkers.
- A grassy run cuts feed use and improves legs, but they need shade in the heat.
Where the money is
Ducks pay when they’re sold on time and whole. Every extra week after week eight costs almost two kilograms of feed per bird. How to work out cost and price is covered in selling eggs and meat from the farm.
Never miss the slaughter date
In EggPulse a duckling flock keeps its placement date, weights and feed use, and age is counted for you. It’s easy to see how many days are left until week eight and not lose track in the middle of the season.
