Another “when to move outside” question

[BenandHelen]

 

[TSOWOATNKC]

Our ducklings and goslings are about 4 weeks old and have been off heat lamps almost 2 weeks. They were panting even with the dimmer on the lowest setting.

Today it’s about 65-70 here, so they are in the meet and greet pen with a 75 gallon tub of water for the day. I made sure they could get in and out of the water of course. I plan to keep them inside every night, but keep them in the meet and greet pen an increasing number of days per week. They’re still on Flock Raiser, and won’t be old enough for All Flock for another 4 weeks; so I plan to move them outside once they’re off Flock Raiser.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Our ducklings and goslings are about 4 weeks old and have been off heat lamps almost 2 weeks. They were panting even with the dimmer on the lowest setting.

Today it’s about 65-70 here, so they are in the meet and greet pen with a 75 gallon tub of water for the day. I made sure they could get in and out of the water of course. I plan to keep them inside every night, but keep them in the meet and greet pen an increasing number of days per week. They’re still on Flock Raiser, and won’t be old enough for All Flock for another 4 weeks; so I plan to move them outside once they’re off Flock Raiser.

I kept mine on flock raiser and just cut it for a few weeks with corn (I would have used oats, but I had corn on hand). I used the metzer calculator to know how much to use to cut the feed.
Is all flock Nutrena?
Also, have you posted pics of your set up anywhere? I am pretty visual and love to see pics.

 

[Jpat]

View attachment 1442934

They look squeezable!

 

[TSOWOATNKC]

I kept mine on flock raiser and just cut it for a few weeks with corn (I would have used oats, but I had corn on hand). I used the metzer calculator to know how much to use to cut the feed.
Is all flock Nutrena?
Also, have you posted pics of your set up anywhere? I am pretty visual and love to see pics.

Our older waterfowl chickens are on Nutrena Country Feeds All Flock. So once the littles are old enough to be on that, they will be moved outside.

This photo isn’t of the littles outside, it’s the Magpie ducks we integrated into the flock in the meet and greet pen. It’s basically a corner of the larger pen, and everyone is capable of seeing each other, and even fighting to establish pecking order. The important part is that they aren’t incapable of escaping from fights.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Our older waterfowl chickens are on Nutrena Country Feeds All Flock. So once the littles are old enough to be on that, they will be moved outside.

This photo isn’t of the littles outside, it’s the Magpie ducks we integrated into the flock in the meet and greet pen. It’s basically a corner of the larger pen, and everyone is capable of seeing each other, and even fighting to establish pecking order. The important part is that they aren’t incapable of escaping from fights. View attachment 1443196

Can I ask why the switch of feed as they are very similar in their nutritional content?

 

[TSOWOATNKC]

Can I ask why the switch of feed as they are very similar in their nutritional content?

They aren’t that close; 20% versus 18% protein. The price is much lower for Country Feeds when you consider we go thru 4 a month too. Over a year it’s cheaper by a respectable amount.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

They aren’t that close; 20% versus 18% protein. The price is much lower for Country Feeds when you consider we go thru 4 a month too. Over a year it’s cheaper by a respectable amount.

Some consider that % close - I think flock raiser has a bit more calcium as well, but for the most part they offer similar nutrition. I have checked both so was just wondering. I have considered changing from flock raiser to all flock, but the price difference is not significant for my flock. Plus, I would have to go to a different store. When I was just about ready to get all flock - the bags were up on a shelf with no help around. I can pick up from the ground, but cannot lug 50lbs from above my shoulders. So I just decide I didn't want to deal with the hassle.
I do wonder if the pellets would be less messy?

 

[TSOWOATNKC]

It’s definitely neater than crumble, and they finish it completely each day; no ground up powder on the bottom of the feed pan. My chickens in particular never completely finished crumble, they always left the powdered crumble on the bottom. By comparison it looks completely empty each day now that they’re on pellet. Before the feeder would look full, but it wasn’t really because it just had powder on the bottom they wouldn’t actually eat.