Which feed is better?

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zooweemama

zooweemama

Songster
7 Years
Apr 17, 2012
3,855
79
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Far Northern California
I have 2 options so far for food for my goslings (they arrive around Tuesday next week). My tractor supply had the Purina game bird & poultry feed (they list ducks and geese on there. finding actual duck/goose starter isn't possible where I am) and there is a brand called Home Grown. Both had matching protein levels if I recall. Is one better than the other? Thanks!
 
I can't attest to "Home Grown" but I have been feeding purina for years with no problems. However, Goslings are like ducks when it comes to Niacin levels so you'd have to check if both have supplements in them.
 
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Ok pass on the Home Grown- interestingly all I can find so far are some articles on seizure of this food back in 2009 for some filth issues. It might be fine now but not being able to Google a brand and come back with a site is not good.

http://www.wildlife.purinamills.com/products/ECMD2-0017382.aspx

This is the Purina food my TS offers. I have a couple local feed stores I can call around and see if they have something you guys recommend. But for sure- no one seems to have anything for just waterfowl. :(
 
Kevin565 said:
I can't attest to "Home Grown" but I have been feeding purina for years with no problems. However, Goslings are like ducks when it comes to Niacin levels so you'd have to check if both have supplements in them.
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I can get the game bird feed I used on my ducks from a local feed store. I cannot recall the name or brand but all my ducks did fantastic on it. It was a gamebird and waterfowl starter. Niacin was good. Protein high at 27% if I recall right. I started my ducklings on Flock Raiser at 3 weeks. No issues with growth, or leg or wing issues. I am reading Holderreads book for Geese and he does a good job saying what Geese need only everyone here seems to only have chickens so the feed stores do not ever carry anything that is perfectly suited for waterfowl. The diet needs of the Geese looks a little different than the Ducks did. But all the info is starting to jumble- I am reading about ducks, geese, chickens and turkeys so now it's all messy in my head. :|
 
The number 1 feed that I've seen recommended is the Mazuri brand. Now, there are 2 types, one is flock raiser and the other one is.... I forgot. Mazuri is a Purina brand, and I would think its carried by the TS. Its kind of expensive I think. Also, your local feed stores can order it if they dont carry it.

I went to local feed store & asked about Mazuri.They didnt have it but would order it & it would take about a week for the shipment to arrive. They did have another type of food that they carried that was for waterfowl (and MUCH cheaper). The protein level they said was 16% so I went with that. I would def call local feed stores first to see if they have feed for waterfowl..

Protein level was a big concern for me because I nervous about my guys developing angel wing. I've read its not that hard to correct, but being a newbie, I was intimidated by it. I made sure my geese spent time outside everyday so they could run around & splurge on grass.
 
I know a few breeders who use Game Bird feed for their show ducks so you may be able to use that with no issues. You could always add some oats to lower the protein levels
 
I've been feeding my goslings Flock Raiser just like my ducklings. I haven't had any problems so far with wings or legs. My goslings are 9 weeks now and getting huge! They are out during the day, all day getting a lot of grass and exercise. Today we put them out with our ducks who are 13 weeks old and the goslings completely dwarf them.
 
I went through the research of feeds recently for my baby goslings and settled on Mazuri waterfowl starter pellets. It is 20 % protein. They also make waterfowl maintenance in floating and sinking pellets and a waterfowl breeder formula. It took my feed store almost 3 weeks to get it in. I had to feed a gamefowl grower crumbles at 20% protein until I could get the Mazuri. I had a pickle of a time finding something suitable with out ethyoxiquin in it. I don't allow it in my dogs food and don't think it is something I want in my birds food. My baby goslings seem to be doing great, growing like weeds and have a nice solid body feel to them. They are three weeks now and since I don't have grass where I live I have been also giving them soaked alfalfa/timothy cubes.
 

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