yes wifezilla we all know your stand on protein.
Like the above post says though balance is the key.
You also state how much mixture of greens you feed, well believe it or not, you are cutting your hi protein diet down by doing that.
Truth is, ask any SEASONED breeder, they will all tell you high protein is the leading cause.
Birds in the wild do not solely eat animal protein, they eat anything and everything they can get their bills on. Only exception to this would be the sawbill family.
Plant matter actually makes up the vast majority of the balance of their diet with the occasional critter.
And yes, like the above poster said, in the wild, the vast majority of mid west waterfowl build their nest around major farms just so they can get to those grains.
But the generalized conseption of comparing domestic waterfowl to wild waterfowl is unfounded. Look at all the cases. virtually 99.9% are all domestic breeds, not wild species.
One reason for this is domestic waterfowl have been raised on commercial feeds for as long as they have been around. They are not used to the same diet as wild waterfowl anymore, thus their dietary needs are different. Trust me, I raised migratory waterfowl for 25 years or so with near 100 different species. If you feed them the same as domestic fowl, they'd all eventually die. The wild diet is properly balanced. Animals know what their body needs, and their natural insticts will drive them to crave foods containing that.
Just like Gorgie said about the grains in the winter to add on fat reserves and body heat.
Domestic fowl have lost this ability and just eat and eat and eat. They have no control over it other than what we personally give them. They have heavier bodies, and much more rapid growth rates. This is why most every case you will see of angel wing is in domestic ducks, geese, and occationally swans.
The duckweed reference, yes it's high in protein for a plant, but it's 95% or better water too, so honestly the TRUE protein level of it is miniscule.
Yes I do agree that high carbs, as well as low magnesium and calcium plays a role in it as well I've already stated that. But honestly now, who on here feeds all bread to their ducklings?
None of the above problems have, but yes they all have protein issues .
There are also lines of birds who well, just never have problems with angel wing. I'm betting of your 5-6 ducks you have, they came from good lines, strong genetics and most likely more resistant.
Anyway, dont be so quick to dismiss the protein claim, when virtually every professional breeder in the world says it, there's usually something to it.
In short folks, it's all about a balanced diet and controlled growth rate. Too much of this, not enough of that, and weak genetics. Putting too much on a weak frame is the underlying cause. What does that, high protein and high carbs add the weight, low calcium and low magnesium make the weak frame.
Like the above post says though balance is the key.
You also state how much mixture of greens you feed, well believe it or not, you are cutting your hi protein diet down by doing that.
Truth is, ask any SEASONED breeder, they will all tell you high protein is the leading cause.
Birds in the wild do not solely eat animal protein, they eat anything and everything they can get their bills on. Only exception to this would be the sawbill family.
Plant matter actually makes up the vast majority of the balance of their diet with the occasional critter.
And yes, like the above poster said, in the wild, the vast majority of mid west waterfowl build their nest around major farms just so they can get to those grains.
But the generalized conseption of comparing domestic waterfowl to wild waterfowl is unfounded. Look at all the cases. virtually 99.9% are all domestic breeds, not wild species.
One reason for this is domestic waterfowl have been raised on commercial feeds for as long as they have been around. They are not used to the same diet as wild waterfowl anymore, thus their dietary needs are different. Trust me, I raised migratory waterfowl for 25 years or so with near 100 different species. If you feed them the same as domestic fowl, they'd all eventually die. The wild diet is properly balanced. Animals know what their body needs, and their natural insticts will drive them to crave foods containing that.
Just like Gorgie said about the grains in the winter to add on fat reserves and body heat.
Domestic fowl have lost this ability and just eat and eat and eat. They have no control over it other than what we personally give them. They have heavier bodies, and much more rapid growth rates. This is why most every case you will see of angel wing is in domestic ducks, geese, and occationally swans.
The duckweed reference, yes it's high in protein for a plant, but it's 95% or better water too, so honestly the TRUE protein level of it is miniscule.
Yes I do agree that high carbs, as well as low magnesium and calcium plays a role in it as well I've already stated that. But honestly now, who on here feeds all bread to their ducklings?
None of the above problems have, but yes they all have protein issues .
There are also lines of birds who well, just never have problems with angel wing. I'm betting of your 5-6 ducks you have, they came from good lines, strong genetics and most likely more resistant.
Anyway, dont be so quick to dismiss the protein claim, when virtually every professional breeder in the world says it, there's usually something to it.
In short folks, it's all about a balanced diet and controlled growth rate. Too much of this, not enough of that, and weak genetics. Putting too much on a weak frame is the underlying cause. What does that, high protein and high carbs add the weight, low calcium and low magnesium make the weak frame.
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