"They then go on to give the standard recommendation to start at 20% protein and then go down to 15%. Is this how ducklings in the wild feed? "
In all actuality, yes it is.
Nature is funny this way, animals have what is call instincts, or sixth sense.
When their bodies are in need of certain items, their brain triggers receptors to make them crave food sources that contain these needed items in them.
Case in point, dogs and cats, well any carnivore for that matter, eating grass as needed, is that part of their natural diet, nope, but they are being told internally to eat it.
Well it works the same with birds too. The first 4 weeks of any birds life cycle are their fastest growing period they will ever have, thus the brain makes them crave certain food sources to accommodate their rapidly growing body, more bugs or aquatic life in a ducks case. After 4-5 weeks, they start slowing down on their growth rate, at this point, they slow down on the cravings being sent to the brain, thus start more to a natural diet of vegetation. So yes, to answer your question, in the wild, they eat a higher protein level the first few weeks, then naturally slow down on the intake . SO to recommend 18- 20% feed at first then lowered to 16-15% after the initial growth spurt, is perfectly logical, and a correct mimic of a natural "wild" diet intake. These are common facts that anyone with a minor understanding of biology should already know.
As I have mentioned several times before, puddle ducks or dabblers, are vegetation eaters, not carnivorous ducks, therefore naturally they have a much lower protein level intake than many of the diver species. ALL DOMESTIC ducks fall into this category of waterfowl, only migratory keepers will have carnivorous ducks. Those species do require high protein levels.
The problem lies with us not following these guidelines, or going over board with or "more is always better" attitude in life. Nature doesn't work that way. When an animal becomes gluttonous, thier end results are usually always damage in one way or the other to the body.
I agree in the reports that calcium and magnesium deficiencies, coupled with over intake of protein and carbs, are the main cause of wing disfigurement.
It is perfectly logical, and I have seen it first hand a million times, so I need no scientist to tell me this is true. Again it's basic logic of biology. Protein is intended to grow muscle mass, the heaviest part of any animal structure. Carbs, in overabundance add fat, the second heaviest body mass. Magnesium and calcium, are intended for skeletal strength and growth.
Alright, add all these up, a lot of rapid growing muscle mass, excess fat , weak under developed skeletal structure.....=a heavy body with minimal support = leg and wing deformities...kind of basic math. Oh yeah, be sure to add the gravity factor in there too, pulling down on all that math....it's no wonder the poor little buggers get bow legged and twisted wings.
Also will add, this moat commonly occurs during the blood feather period of the primary flight feathers, which adds even more weight to them in a rapid manner, which consequently, are feed by protein levels.
Dave Holderread has a book on the subject from his years of research on this subject, it's only $6 shipped, I would suggest anyone interested in learning more about the subject buys a copy....Like myself, he has 20 year experience keeping waterfowl, his are just all domestic breeds. Also he has personally done private research in this, along with many other common problems, unlike me, he has published his results and findings. So go check it out....
Follow the science..it's safe and effective
