Ducklings feeding question

[Jlw0903]

I have my ducklings on Kalmbach flock maker feed which is 20% protein.
They are now a little over 3 weeks old.
Kalmbach claims you can feed them this until they are laying age but I feel like I remember switching my other set of ducklings to a lower protein feed after 3-4 weeks (I was using cheaper brands then like Purina and mana pro). I have kalmbach duck and goose which is 18% and not a layer feed. Should I switch them to that or keep them on the higher protein? (If I should switch and you are in South East WI I wasn't paying attention whenn I bought the feed and have 3/4 - 1/2 of a 50lb bag of the flock maker.left...

I don't want to risk my girls developing angel wings or other complications from too high protein

 

[ruthhope]

I have my ducklings on Kalmbach flock maker feed which is 20% protein.
They are now a little over 3 weeks old.
Kalmbach claims you can feed them this until they are laying age but I feel like I remember switching my other set of ducklings to a lower protein feed after 3-4 weeks (I was using cheaper brands then like Purina and mana pro). I have kalmbach duck and goose which is 18% and not a layer feed. Should I switch them to that or keep them on the higher protein? (If I should switch and you are in South East WI I wasn't paying attention whenn I bought the feed and have 3/4 - 1/2 of a 50lb bag of the flock maker.left...

I don't want to risk my girls developing angel wings or other complications from too high protein

Your ducklings will not develop angel wing from too much protein. That is a way too commonly believed myth. The research on angel wing demonstrates it is far more common 9n ducks on public waterways where they are fed bread. That is too high carbohydrate, without vitamins and without enough protein

I feed my ducklings starter crumbles until the bag runs out and then swap them onto duck pellets. That will be at 5 to 6 weeks old depending on how many ducklings I am feeding from one bag of starter crumbles

 

[Jlw0903]

Your ducklings will not develop angel wing from too much protein. That is a way too commonly believed myth. The research on angel wing demonstrates it is far more common 9n ducks on public waterways where they are fed bread. That is too high carbohydrate, without vitamins and without enough protein

I feed my ducklings starter crumbles until the bag runs out and then swap them onto duck pellets. That will be at 5 to 6 weeks old depending on how many ducklings I am feeding from one bag of starter crumbles

That's good to hear. I'm overly paranoid that I'm always doing something wrong or missing something that will have an averse effect on my ducks/ducklings. Why I just go straight to this site cuz you all are always so knowledgeable and helpful

 

[Canadian Wind]

Agreed. Mine stay on the 22% for a heck of a lot longer than that, usually at least two months, if not longer. Have not had a single case of angelwing.

 

[Jlw0903]

Although the feed might not be the issue since my Welsh and Buff seem fine I am becoming more and more confident that my blue swedish has angle wing. Gah not looking forward to wrapping her up . She's going to hate me now

 

[Miss Lydia]

Put her into a knee-high that has the toe cut off. It will stay better and should fix it in a few days. She isn't going to be happy but she'll get over it.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/peking-duckling-with-crooked-neck-help.761308/page-4 this will show you what it will look like.

 

[Yardmom]

Kalmbach flock maker is similar to Purina's flock raiser. I find that either choice is great for my birds (ducks and chickens) at any age. Layers need a calcium on the side.

 

[Jlw0903]

Put her into a knee-high that has the toe cut off. It will stay better and should fix it in a few days. She isn't going to be happy but she'll get over it.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/peking-duckling-with-crooked-neck-help.761308/page-4 this will show you what it will look like.

I'll have to see if I have something like that! I think it would be less traumatic and quicker than vet wrapping for sure. I tried the other day and failed miserably

 

[Jlw0903]

Definitely easier than trying to wrap her. Hopefully it's tight enough and does the trick!

 

[ruthhope]

View attachment 3880036
Although the feed might not be the issue since my Welsh and Buff seem fine I am becoming more and more confident that my blue swedish has angle wing. Gah not looking forward to wrapping her up . She's going to hate me now

The sock is a great wrap.

Certainly not the feed that was the issue: some ducklings just have genetic susceptibility

A few days in the sock and all will be well!