argument about what to feed ducklings

[casportpony]

The feed I have for baby ducklings is called "starter/grower," but it's 22% protein. After 2-3 weeks, it's recommended that protein be reduced: 16-18% as per BYC pinned post and 17-19% as per Metzer Farms.

Sorry for being dense, but where do I find a "grower" feed/pellets? I googled, but it seemed like I was getting a lot of UK hits. (Knowing that some things have to smack me in the face to notice, and I might have zzzz'd out on what is available in the USA.)

What brands of feed do your feed stores carry?

 

[ThreeOfSeven]

You can order wheat non gmo or organic from Amazon this is wheat for grinding into flour so safe for humans and animals. Runner duck club rec feeding wheat to Runners putting it into a small container filled with water .

Cool! I live in a shopping-void, so I'm good with Amazon! Thank you!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Here to I rely on Amazon a lot. still what feed does your feed store offer? I don't feed just wheat to my Runners they eat a balanced feed too.

 

[Miss Lydia]

You may fin this interesting. Even though it is about Indian Runners

https://www.runnerduck.net/feeding.php

 

[Fishkeeper]

Barley, or any other single grain or single item, is not an appropriate diet for any animal. Treat, yes. Diet, no. If you feed your birds nothing but wheat, nothing but barley, or nothing but any ingredient, they will die of malnutrition unless they can manage to catch all their food free-range. Which you shouldn't make them do.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Very true that is why I gave the link about feeding wheat. It's not a complete ration.

 

[ThreeOfSeven]

Here to I rely on Amazon a lot. still what feed does your feed store offer? I don't feed just wheat to my Runners they eat a balanced feed too.

I have a bag of Manna Pro Duck Starter Grower Crumble, which is 22% protein. The only other food that my local feed store has (and I was there checking it out yesterday) is for adult ducks (forget exactly what it's called). I was looking for and hoping to find a "grower" feed that was less protein. One recommendation that I saw (for wild ducklings) was to feed the starter mash for first 2 weeks, then move them into a duck/goose grower feed, which probably meets the 16-18% protein needs. This info is from a site that was specifically addressing the needs of raising wild Mallard ducklings, and I believe the woman lives in England. I went to the site because I have orphaned, wild Wood ducklings.

Just saw that there's another feed store down the road a way that might be a *real* feed store. I've been going to Agway. Maybe I'll call that other store tomorrow to see what they carry.

 

[casportpony]

Keep in mind that the protein amounts shown on the Metzer site are the *minimum* protein needed, not the maximum allowed.

 

[Fishkeeper]

If you have wild ducklings, you need to take them to someone licensed for rehab, because those are not at all legal for you to keep.