Duck Feed Questions

[muscovy573]

HEY ALL,

So as of yesterday I am officially a proud step-dad to some ducklings! Momma did a fantastic job sitting and now mothering! Super excited for this new journey. Anyways, as I was picking up some starter feed, I realized the store I was in had some organic feed. After seeing the price i immediately sat it down, but it got me wondering: Is chick starter ok for ducklings? If its not then what do you duck owners use? And should I make the jump to organic?

I dont really want to make the jump to organic feed because I dont really make any money off the birds to offset some of the costs...that being said what feed do you all feed your ducks? Not just chicks, but the adults as well. I have been feeding mine corn and Country Lane 16% All Flock through the winter and still as they are in a pen and they seem to really like and appear to be really healthy. I have plans (and have started them) to move them from the pen to my property to forage. Just need to finish the duck house. I will be letting them forage all day where they have access to a creek, woods, and a huge field. I figure if they stay true to being good foragers I can feed at night instead of letting them have access to feed all day. Maybe this will help me make the move to Organic.

Any and all advice helps! like to know what brads, type and opinions are out there!!

Thanks
Muscovy573

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I always feed my young muscovy a chick starter, than they get an All Flock ration when they are big enough to eat the pellets. I haven't had any problems. No organic feed here. I see no point to it.

 

[muscovy573]

I always feed my young muscovy a chick starter, than they get an All Flock ration when they are big enough to eat the pellets. I haven't had any problems. No organic feed here. I see no point to it.

Awesome! just want to make sure I am setting them up for a good start! My ducks get fed fish and crawdads and catch the butterflies and other insects inside their pen. I figured that and the small amount of substitute feed...theyd be fine. but willing to change if anybody has seen a huge improvement!

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

I feed mine an all flock feed. I am using purina flock raiser. You could just use the all flock ration for everyone and provide them with extra niacin if needed.

 

[Smuvers Farm]

I ferment feed, so I just use what I ferment for the entire flock, which is starter/grower, and then we add in a extra scoop or 2 of brewers yeast for our little ducklings... and they're growing like weeds, so I am guessing that they're happily thriving.

We give the brewers yeast, as I read that ducklings need the extra niacin they won't get from just chicken feed.

 

[muscovy573]

I ferment feed, so I just use what I ferment for the entire flock, which is starter/grower, and then we add in a extra scoop or 2 of brewers yeast for our little ducklings... and they're growing like weeds, so I am guessing that they're happily thriving.

We give the brewers yeast, as I read that ducklings need the extra niacin they won't get from just chicken feed.

will definitely have to read into that and get some for the ducklings!

 

[Smuvers Farm]

will definitely have to read into that and get some for the ducklings!

Hope this helps:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/brewers-yeast-or-niacin-for-duckling.869091/

 

[PirateGirl]

I have been feeding my laying chickens, laying ducks, drakes, and ducklings either Purina Flock Raiser or Nutrena All Flock which run 18-20% protein. They get oyster shell and their own eggshells on the side. I picked up Bragg's Nutritional Yeast at the regular grocery store (my store was sold out but Wholefoods carries it too) and sprinkle this in for the ducklings. Everyone can eat the same thing and it makes my life easy and they all seem to do well on it. Good luck!