I know they love grass and other such green forage, but what about in winter? Can they eat things like chopped alfalfa as a source of roughage?
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I have a flock of 33 this includes 18 chickens 13 ducks and 2 geese and 1 bale of hay last all winter along with the fermented feed I offer. They nibble on it daily but don't eat it like actual hay eaters do. I usually have some left over to scatter around where they like to lay. I can't get water fowl feed here so I use Purnia Flock Raiser since it's suppose to be formulated for all poultry. I think you got so good feed there with Mana Pro.I can't seem to find any waterfowl feed where I am. I can find things like Triple Duty feed, which is suppose to cover all types. And Manna Pro for baby chicks, goslings, and ducks. But nothing specific to geese or ducks.
How much hay do you think three geese will eat in a week during the winter?
What is the feed to oat ratio that you recommend? Also, can they eat black oil sunflower seeds?
Black oil sunflower seeds (aka BOSS here on the forums) are great as an addition to feed but not as a main feed percentage for geese as I understand it. Think treat or supplement for the BOSS. As far as the hay I have given mine a bit but they mostly eat the pellets. Not sure if anyone feeds hay to geese as a main diet in the winter or not. Perhaps someone else can comment on this?
When it comes to the feed I know one locally that feeds game bird feed. Its very high in protein, around 30%. The Albers waterfowl feed that I use for adult birds is 16% crude protein. I have seen other waterfowl feeds at 14%. If you get a higher protein feed and want to cut it here is a calculator for mixing and balancing feed protein.