Duckling Feed

[OldGuy43]

Please tell me this stuff is good. It was recommended by the manager of the chick room at Callahan's General Store. She said it was all they used.

 

[DUCKGIRL89]

I just use non medicated (or medicated) chick feed. Or layer mash. All my ducks were raised on layer mash, and they are doing well.

 

[kuntrygirl]

I have never heard of that brand. As far as the game bird starter, I only use game bird starter for my poults because it has a lot of protein. I feed my ducklings Flockraiser crumble.

 

[Kevin565]

It's believed excess protein can lead to angel wing in waterfowl.

 

[kuntrygirl]

It's believed excess protein can lead to angel wing in waterfowl. 

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Buy chick starter and suplimental with niacin and finely chopped dark greens (no spinach) in their diet. The protein level in that feed is very high and could lead to angel wing in your ducklings. You can switch them to grower and then to layer as they mature.

 

[destinduck]

I use mazuri waterfowl starter which is 20% protien. I try to slowly cut back and give them 16% protien chicken layer pellets as soon as I see a sign of flight feathers coming in ( or even a little before) I find I dont have to deal with angelwing this way.Also when they get about 6weeks old I dont give them food 24/7. I let them look around in their pen and hunt for food some. I think exersise helps a little with the angel wing. Oldguy You could probably use that food for the first week or so and cut it later but like Shellie said that protien is a little high really to keep to keep them on. As you can see there are several ways to start them.

 

[scratch'n'peck]

The last 2 posts have great advice. Niacin is included in water fowl feed formulations and helps avoid problems with weak legs and associated injuries.

 

[Oregon Blues]

If you have already purchased a bag, it won't hurt them to feed it for the first 2 weeks. The second that you see any wing feathers, you need to switch to 16% protein.

If you go to Metzer's site, he has a feed calculator. You can cut the protein level of that feed down by blending it with oats. The feed calculator will tell you how many pounds of each to mix to get the right percentage of protein.

I suggest that you crush a niacin tablet up and add it to their water. 100 mg per gallon of water. Once a day. Don't get time release or non-flush niacin. Just basic plain niacin.

Sometimes you can't find food formulated for ducks and you just have to do the best you can.

 

[Amiga]

The only feed I could find had 28% protein, so I added one part chopped/ground rolled oats (not instant) to four parts feed to get the protein down to about 20%, sprinkled a teaspoon of chick grit on each 6 inch diameter feed bowl, and started with finely chopped lettuce after a week, to start rounding out their diets.

I would use what you have there with some added oats.

(Some think that the angel wing may be caused by something other than protein, FYI.)