Duck Food Transition

[Dolly1218]

Hi Everyone!!

Well my girls are going to be 2wks soon so I wanted to be prepared to switch their food at 3wks. They are currently on a 27% waterfowl starter, I couldn't find anything else unmedicated so I had to order this.. The closest feed store had a Game Bird Chow at 12% so I bought that. The only other things they had were medicated chick food & Layena. I know 12% is very low for them to stay on when they start to lay. My question is: is it too low for them when I switch at 3wks? I give them peas, mealworms, &/or minnows as a treat every afternoon. Should I give them something else to bump the protien up a little more when I switch to 12% feed? Also could they stay on this feed if I give them oyster shell free range when they lay? As soon as it warms up they will go outside for most of the day and forage, I have been pulling grass (cutting it up smaller for their little mouths) from outside for them. I know, my girls are spoiled lol.

Thank you everyone!

 

[JulieNKC]

I think 12% is actually about right, high protein is believed to cause angelwing in growing ducks. Once they start laying you can just switch them to layena.

 

[Dolly1218]

I think 12% is actually about right, high protein is believed to cause angelwing in growing ducks. Once they start laying you can just switch them to layena.

Ok thank you. Could I keep them on this feed and just add free range protien supplements like oyster shell and/or others?

 

[JulieNKC]

Oyster shell is for calcium. You could add something with higher protein though, just not sure what.

 

[Dolly1218]

Oyster shell is for calcium. You could add something with higher protein though, just not sure what.

Oh! Silly me!

I have no clue why I thought that was protien lol. I guess I will just switch them to Layena when they are feathered out. Thank you!