Duckling food

[Brachsideducks]

So I have a few questions about feeding my ducklings. 5 of my ducklings are 3 weeks old the other 2 are 2 weeks old. I have been feedi them Purina flock raiser. The past few days I have started adding some rolled oats because the protein is 20%. I asked the owner of the feed store and he said to feed feeding them the flock raiser when I mentioned I wanted something with slightly less protein. He also handed me Purina start and grow chick feed. I bought them both and wanted to ask some people who knew a little bit more what I should be feeding them. The feed store also did not have brewers yeast. So my question is should I mix the flock raiser and the start and grow or just the start and grow...or keep adding rolled oats? Also Storeys GUIs to raising ducks mentions after two weeks to only feed them 2-3 times a day. I started doing that a few days ago and they act like they are starving when I go to feed them. Just wanted to double check I'm doing the correct thing. Thanks!

 

[Speceider]

Not certain why you want to reduce the protein.

Clint

 

[Brachsideducks]

Not certain why you want to reduce the protein.

Clint

I'm going by storey's guide it says 3-8 weeks to reduce from 20% to 15-18%

 

[Speceider]

Well, without knowing the ME of the diet....it's guess work. Scott and Dean suggest about 18% if the ME is over 4200 kcal/kg....16.5 if the ME is 2950....I obviously do not agree entirely with Dave....but I would error on the side of higher protein to assure they get the amino acid compliment.

Clint

 

[Brachsideducks]

Okay thanks! And feeding them twice a day is correct?

 

[Speceider]

I always provide food 24/7 with water. They grow very quickly and food limitation is not good in my opinion.

Clint

 

[Swinkey]

Hi!
I am working at a wildlife rehab centre and we get quite a lot of ducklings and goslings in when spring/summer starts.
When using trays, just make sure they can't drown in it - make it shallow enough

Here is what we feed them on a daily basis:

10am: duck pellets. These are dry pellets we get from the shop. The protein level is somewhere in between cat and dog pellets. Cat pellets are too high in protein to be giving them. Put the pellets in a flat tray (just cover the base with a thin level of pellets) and then fill up with water to the rim. You're looking at about 30% pellets and 70% water

2pm: duck soup. This is tinned dog food (20%) mixed into a mash with vegetables (80%). Use about 1-2 spoonfuls of this dog food. Any veggies will do, just don't use cabbage or onion as this will make them feel bloated and uncomfortable. If you want, you can even soak the duck pellets again and add a little bit of them to the soup. Put the mash into a flat tray. You're looking at about 70% mash and 30% water.

Hope this helps! I'm sure that oats will come in handy as well. They do indeed grow very quickly indeed. They can be quite messy, but the cute factor remains.

We only feed them twice a day but make sure that they always have water - 1 tray for swimming and 1 for drinking - and they also love love LOVE fresh grass - not the mown grass from your lawn but long leaves.

 

[Amykins]

Not certain why you want to reduce the protein.

Clint

This is why



Also Swink, you're working at my dream job! How did you land that gig? All the ones in my area are all full up and I don't know what experience I need to make myself stand out as a candidate.

 

[enriquec]

I just volunteered at a wildlife rehab. It seems a lot more ppl want to work there than spots they'd ever have.

If you volunteer a bit, get in the friend zone, they'd probably be a lot more likely to hire you when there is an opening. You'll get plenty of experience too and a chance to show how valuable you can be

 

[Swinkey]

Actually I should have said "I volunteer at a rehab place". I actually don't get paid for it. I am changing my career path and starting a BSc in Zoology and Botany. To keep myself busy, I started volunteering at the rehab centre and it's amazing how much you learn. But to actually working in the business you got to get some qualifications in veterinary or do a BSc with a masters.

Amykins: what exactly is the condition of that duck after too much protein? Are the wings faulty?