breeder feed

[Dwen]

I am wondering when to start giving out breeder feed, and what exactly to feed. I have read that it is good feed ducks & geese 17% breeder feed four weeks before the season starts, so I was wondering if that would mean now. All my geese are Juveniles.

What do you feed? last year I used Bartlett game bird breeder for my ducks, but I can't find any this year. Will any 17% show-bird, game bird feed do, or should I look for certain levels of other ingredients? What brands do you all prefer?

Thanks-
Dwen

 

[Going Bhonkers]

Brands that I've read in this forum are Mazuri waterfowl feed & Purina Flockraiser. As far as breeder feed, do you mean layer feed, for geese that will be laying eggs? If so, then yes, you should probably start feeding them some kind of layer feed soon.

 

[Dwen]

I am familiar with both feeds, but I'm looking for what you feed breeders who you intend to hatch eggs from. I was reading my story's guide to ducks, and you can mix layer pellets, cat kibbles, and manna pro to make your own duck breeder feed. Think it will do for geese too?

 

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

Currently my waterfowl are getting a Layer Pellet from a local feed mill, mixed with Whole Oats, Wheat, Barely, Cayenne Pepper, Black, Oil Sunflower Seeds, and Alfalfa hay to munch on.

The next time I pick up feed I'm going to get some Manna Pro, Millet, and possibly some Fish and Kelp meal. We'll see.

~ Aspen

 

[Going Bhonkers]

I am familiar with both feeds, but I'm looking for what you feed breeders who you intend to hatch eggs from. I was reading my story's guide to ducks, and you can mix layer pellets, cat kibbles, and manna pro to make your own duck breeder feed. Think it will do for geese too?

You can do layer pellets & manna pro mix - not sure on the cat kibbles. You may want to add black oil sunflower seeds & oats. MrsFluffypuffy's mix sounds good too!

This might also be helpful: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/611666/feeding-for-feather-quality

And here's the site for Cottage Rose & for Celtic Oaks Farm, both have good feeding tips

• http://cottage_rose_birdsnblossoms.webs.com/tipsonraisingwaterfowl.htm <-- you need to copy & paste to open this link

• http://www.celticoaks.com/around-the-farm/feeding/

 

[CESpeed]

I just read something really interesting in the feeding chickens thread and I'm curious if this will work for geese: alfalafa and/or soaked horse alfalfa pellets. Apparently a lot of folks have found the chickens will eat the leaves and leave the stems. Would this work as a supplement for geese when green grass isn't available?

 

[Miss Lydia]

I just read something really interesting in the feeding chickens thread and I'm curious if this will work for geese: alfalafa and/or soaked horse alfalfa pellets. Apparently a lot of folks have found the chickens will eat the leaves and leave the stems. Would this work as a supplement for geese when green grass isn't available?

From all I've read geese don't care much for Alfalfa but other grasses they like like Timothy

 

[CESpeed]

Thank you. What would be some other greens alternatives for geese?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thank you. What would be some other greens alternatives for geese?

In the winter, romaine lettuce, green cabbage chopped, Timothy hay mine will eat chopped collards too. I have hung up a cabbage head and just let them have at it they all love it that way.

 

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

You might look into sprouting/growing fodder for your waterfowl. There is a thread here on BYC about it if you looks. It's an excellent way to provide greenery during the winter months.

~ Aspen