Duck starter

[seussiii]

I'm a week out from receiving my ducklings and don't have local access too starter feed. Local shop has plenty of unmedicated 16% growers but no starter in stock. Will this do?

I could always order some starter online and have plenty of time for that but after reading up it seems like they will only need it for the first 2-3 weeks anyways. Can I make growers work if I wet it down or grind it a little smaller as dry? Is that even needed?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Follow up!

So all they had was the one kind of 18% chicken starter (which i grabbed). I asked them about grower for later down the line and she said they didn't carry it. All they had was various types of layer pellets, crumbles, scratch.

Will a lower protein(16%) layer work fine for ~4 weeks and beyond? I've read that it could be an issue for the drakes getting extra calcium from the layer.

Hard part is trying to separate the myths as I have read quit a few conflicting threads on it.

Chick starter is fine just be sure to either use Nutritional Yeast 1 tab per cup of feed or "Plain" niacin 250mgs per 1 gallon of water daily till 8-10 weeks of age. Chick starter does not have enough niacin that water fowl need. And layer shouldn't be fed till at least 20 weeks old or first egg. Is there no other feed sources close to you? I have to travel 50 miles round trip to get my feed.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

All-Flock, Flock-Raiser, etc would be good alternatives if available. If the crumble size seems to be a problem you can easily grind it down to be smaller/finer for as long as needed until they grow into the larger crumble size (also can be done if all you can find is pellet and want crumble). If you see niacin content becoming an issue you can mix a little game bird starter (if you can find it) into the chick/all-poultry feed -- the gambird is too high in protein on it's own, but has more niacin than the other feed so mixing can often balance it all out.

 

[chickens really]

Oops ! Miss Lydia also knows! Sorry, I did not notice her reply!!!
Hope I never stepped on your toes? .....lol

Miss Lydia is great help!

Cheers!

 

[dotknott]

If you know what brands they carry, you can look on line for that brands feed formulas and ask for something specific. If you go in to this knowing exactly what you want, it might be easier to get them to order it for you.

So if they carry Purina, look into Flock Raiser. Blue Seal? Grow and Show.

Also, for adult birds, I prefer to get pellets. Crumble for the youngsters. They might offer you options, so think about that when you're asking for something specific.

 

[Miss Lydia]

@Miss Lydia

Just spoke with the owner. They don't have any sort of all flock, grower, or maintenance feed. Pretty much just starter and a ton of different kinds of layer feeds.

She wasn't too knowledgeable but said that most of her duck customers feed the starter until laying age and then switch to a layer pellet that is ~16%.

For the grower/maintenance phase I'm thinking I may just cut the starter with oats once they hit 3-4 weeks to bring the protein down a bit. Maybe even use that permanently as there primary feed and give them access to oyster shell as needed at layer age so the drakes don't have calcium issues.

Would that work? Thanks!

I think that would be fine @seussiii . My flock love starter and I usually feed it too the whole flock when I have it. I just mix it in with the rest.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I'm a week out from receiving my ducklings and don't have local access too starter feed. Local shop has plenty of unmedicated 16% growers but no starter in stock. Will this do?

I could always order some starter online and have plenty of time for that but after reading up it seems like they will only need it for the first 2-3 weeks anyways. Can I make growers work if I wet it down or grind it a little smaller as dry? Is that even needed?

Thanks in advance!

Can you get All Flock? Purina makes one and it's for all stages so you never have to change feed. It comes in crumble also.

 

[seussiii]

I'll have to check with them. Is the biggest issue the content or how coarse/fine the feed itself is?

Sounds like as long as I am getting them 16-20% protein and niacin they should be good no? I'm mostly worried about the first 2-3 weeks and them being able to eat it if the grain is too large.

 

[chickens really]

I can get Duck starter....I have been told that chick starter not medicated is best and supply niacin right from the start......I am not sure of the dosage or the right type though.....Someone else with Duck experience will reply...@RavynFallen would know.....I can not tag her with this ipad......


Cheers!

 

[seussiii]

Follow up!

So all they had was the one kind of 18% chicken starter (which i grabbed). I asked them about grower for later down the line and she said they didn't carry it. All they had was various types of layer pellets, crumbles, scratch.

Will a lower protein(16%) layer work fine for ~4 weeks and beyond? I've read that it could be an issue for the drakes getting extra calcium from the layer.

Hard part is trying to separate the myths as I have read quit a few conflicting threads on it.