Duckling food in case commercial feed becomes unavailable

[Dorry]

It may become unavailable due to an economic crisis, interrupted distribution channels, and so on. So, let's take care of duckling security by raising our awareness of the second-best options.

 

[Callender Girl]

I am fortunate to be able to find ONE area farm store that even stocks food specifically for adult ducks, none of the stores has ever had duckling food. So, I raised my runners on chick starter but with extra niacin. Even that was a challenge -- so when push came to shove, I just fed my ducklings a lot of frozen peas as a supplement.

As adults, they've eaten a local brand of all-flock when duck feed was unavailable.

If you're considering making your own version of a commercial mix from scratch, that's WAY over my head. I've just learned to be flexible about using what I can get from commercial sources.

 

[HollyBerrie]

If you have the land you can grow your own grain. You'll have to get a grist.

As adults let them forage.

If you're relying strictly on what is available to purchase, that may be a problem, since in a severe shortage situation everything will be affected.

Stocking up now may help for awhile.

 

[Dorry]

I am fortunate to be able to find ONE area farm store that even stocks food specifically for adult ducks, none of the stores has ever had duckling food. So, I raised my runners on chick starter but with extra niacin. Even that was a challenge -- so when push came to shove, I just fed my ducklings a lot of frozen peas as a supplement.

As adults, they've eaten a local brand of all-flock when duck feed was unavailable.

If you're considering making your own version of a commercial mix from scratch, that's WAY over my head. I've just learned to be flexible about using what I can get from commercial sources.

Yes, in my mind "duckling food" = chick starter with extra niacin

' I just fed my ducklings a lot of frozen peas as a supplement.'

- And they or most of them survived, more or less healthy, I presume?
Thanks for the information. Elsewhere I've read that
"ducklings raised the native way are feed moistened boiled rice for the first 33 weeks, 4 to 5 times a day."

 

[indianaducks]

I've fed a variety of commercial foods from TS/RK depending on what's available. I have my favorites but am confident if something was unavailable, I could make do with something else and add things if necessary. Mine free range/forage when the predators are otherwise occupied and sometimes mine get extra snacks like zucchini/peas/broccoli. I also sometimes use cracked corn or scratch grain - which is not a complete food, but would be better than nothing/starving in an emergency.
I have my favorite commercial foods, but sometimes rotate just for a variety or if something isn't available when I'm there. I also try to keep an extra bag or two on hand, so I never get down to NO food. When I use up a bag, I replace it, before I have no bags. Might be carry over habits from keeping dog food on hand though I just have a lot of rubbermaid bins in my garage with dog and duck food LOL.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I have 2 large metal trash cans with poultry feed in them when they get down close to half I go buy 2- 50lb bags so the cans are always full.

 

[indianaducks]

I have 2 large metal trash cans with poultry feed in them when they get down close to half I go buy 2- 50lb bags so the cans are always full.

Yes! I try really hard to avoid buying at the last Minute. Would rather have extra on hand in case they can’t get any poultry feed for some reason

 

[ruthhope]

In addition to keeping a good supply of duck pellets, I recently bought scratch grains in the hopes that our ducks become more flexible about their diet.

They are currently turning their nose up at chopped kale [I think they do that to frustrate me!!] However, I try and give them peas or kale most days and mealie worms every day.

 

[Miss Lydia]

My birds got a thawed bag of mixed veggies yesterday along with their usual feed and I think my gander must have eaten most of the carrots his poop was peach colored. lol

 

[ruthhope]

My birds got a thawed bag of mixed veggies yesterday along with their usual feed and I think my gander must have eaten most of the carrots his poop was peach colored. lol

I stopped giving my ducks thawed mix veggies as none of them will eat carrots!