Almost a month old duckling feeding question

[CeceliaD]

I have two ducklings that are about 3 1/2 weeks old. I’ve been feeding them starter feed and also kale and other veggies and fruits. I’ve read that you’re supposed to decrease the protein in their food. How should I do this? What could happen if they have starter feed for too long?

On another note, one of my ducks wheezes a lot and lays down when he eats. He walks around fine, sleeps, and drinks plenty, so I think he’s pretty healthy. I tried giving him a warm bath but he still is wheezy often. I only notice it when I’m cuddling him so I don’t know if it’s all the time. Any replies are welcome! Thanks in advance.

 

[DuckyDonna]

I have two ducklings that are about 3 1/2 weeks old. I’ve been feeding them starter feed and also kale and other veggies and fruits. I’ve read that you’re supposed to decrease the protein in their food. How should I do this? What could happen if they have starter feed for too long?

On another note, one of my ducks wheezes a lot and lays down when he eats. He walks around fine, sleeps, and drinks plenty, so I think he’s pretty healthy. I tried giving him a warm bath but he still is wheezy often. I only notice it when I’m cuddling him so I don’t know if it’s all the time. Any replies are welcome! Thanks in advance.

what is your brooder like? What are you using for bedding?

 

[Isaac 0]

Hi, there!

It'd be helpful to know what brand you are feeding, and the protein content of the feed. Skip all the protein guidelines and just feed either an All Flock Feed or a Purina Flock Raiser feed, it's for all life stages, and both contain enough nutrient requirements for both ducks and chickens. Once they reach "point of lay" you can start offering a supplemental calcium source in a separate dish since all flock type feeds don't contain very much as it'd be hard on ducks of a younger age who don't require much. I also notice you are feeding treats, that's great just make sure to provide insoluble grit in a separate dish so they can digest the fibrous material and avoid impactions in the gizzard or further down.

I'm assuming its panting? That's usually caused by too much heat, its quite common with heavyweight breeds too. Try moving her to a cooler location and see if it stops.

 

[CeceliaD]

what is your brooder like? What are you using for bedding?

My brooder is a dog cage and I use wood shavings. I’ve stopped using a heat lamp because they get too hot and seem fine without it as the cage is indoors. Here’s a photo. It needs to be cleaned at the moment.

 

[DuckyDonna]

are they getting in that water dish and getting wet, especially the one with the problem?

 

[CeceliaD]

Hi, there!

It'd be helpful to know what brand you are feeding, and the protein content of the feed. Skip all the protein guidelines and just feed either an All Flock Feed or a Purina Flock Raiser feed, it's for all life stages, and both contain enough nutrient requirements for both ducks and chickens. Once they reach "point of lay" you can start offering a supplemental calcium source in a separate dish since all flock type feeds don't contain very much as it'd be hard on ducks of a younger age who don't require much. I also notice you are feeding treats, that's great just make sure to provide insoluble grit in a separate dish so they can digest the fibrous material and avoid impactions in the gizzard or further down.

I'm assuming its panting? That's usually caused by too much heat, its quite common with heavyweight breeds too. Try moving her to a cooler location and see if it stops.

 

[CeceliaD]

Hi there,
Thanks for your reply! They’re getting 20% feed right now. I feed them Poulin Grain starter feed, but before that I was feeding them Dumor (I think it was called) starter which was also 20%. They spend the days outside with me when it’s warm enough but they also have a pool to swim in. I’ve removed their heat lamp as they seemed to stay away from it and they’re quite big now, so I doubt it’s heat. He’s a Pekin duck so he is a big duck.

 

[CeceliaD]

are they getting in that water dish and getting wet, especially the one with the problem?

Yes sometimes but they only really sleep in there, otherwise I have them outside where they have access to a pool and shade on warm days.

 

[CeceliaD]

Hi, there!

It'd be helpful to know what brand you are feeding, and the protein content of the feed. Skip all the protein guidelines and just feed either an All Flock Feed or a Purina Flock Raiser feed, it's for all life stages, and both contain enough nutrient requirements for both ducks and chickens. Once they reach "point of lay" you can start offering a supplemental calcium source in a separate dish since all flock type feeds don't contain very much as it'd be hard on ducks of a younger age who don't require much. I also notice you are feeding treats, that's great just make sure to provide insoluble grit in a separate dish so they can digest the fibrous material and avoid impactions in the gizzard or further down.

I'm assuming its panting? That's usually caused by too much heat, its quite common with heavyweight breeds too. Try moving her to a cooler location and see if it stops.

Hi there,
Thanks for your reply! They’re getting 20% feed right now. I feed them Poulin Grain starter feed, but before that I was feeding them Dumor (I think it was called) starter which was also 20%. They spend the days outside with me when it’s warm enough but they also have a pool to swim in. I’ve removed their heat lamp as they seemed to stay away from it and they’re quite big now, so I doubt it’s heat. He’s a Pekin duck so he is a big duck. I’m bad at using this forum, sorry for posting this twice.