Ducklings from Tractor Supply

[needlessjunk]

I started with 1 tbsp per cup of feed and then dropped it down to 6 tbsp per 8 cups of feed.  If I ever raise ducklings again I found a place on the internet where I can get the brewer's yeast for something like $8 per container (I'm paying $15-$19 retail) but the shipping is around $14 or $15 so I could estimate how much I needed and buy in bulk.  Don't think I'd put anything in their water since they seem to spill and waste more than they actually drink.  Live and learn.

Oh wow that's a lot of money for Brewers yeast. Have you priced nutritional yeast? It is almost the same. I find it in the bulk foods section at my grocery store for $10/lb. have you checked any nutrition stores to see if they carry it?

 

[slordaz]

an alternative to brewers yeast is doing your own fermented feed, it's a lot cheaper and they seem to do really well with that but still want their lettuce lol, we have ducklings in with our chicks.

we use non medicated starter/grower feed as they are still young and mix in a hand full of the treat block which is mostly grain and seeds , when they get a bit older going to have to decide to go with either a mixed flock feed or layer feed though. can't find the page they had linked to me on the natural chicken keeping thread sorry it's late and we had a hard day as friend got another small duckling and the older duckling and one of the chickens had to be put it jail for picking on it lol. and for treats they get fruit and veggies

here is a link to the information lindab220 posted on the other thread on fermented food, hope this helps with your questions
https://tikktok.wordpress.com/2014/04/13/fermented-feed-faq/

 

[Hummingbird Hollow]

an alternative to brewers yeast is doing your own fermented feed, it's a lot cheaper and they seem to do really well with that but still want their lettuce lol, we have ducklings in with our chicks.

we use non medicated starter/grower feed as they are still young and mix in a hand full of the treat block which is mostly grain and seeds , when they get a bit older going to have to decide to go with either a mixed flock feed or layer feed though. can't find the page they had linked to me on the natural chicken keeping thread sorry it's late and we had a hard day as friend got another small duckling and the older duckling and one of the chickens had to be put it jail for picking on it lol. and for treats they get fruit and veggies

here is a link to the information lindab220 posted on the other thread on fermented food, hope this helps with your questions
https://tikktok.wordpress.com/2014/04/13/fermented-feed-faq/

I've actually been feeding them fermented feed for the past few weeks...not 100% of their diet but increasing the percentage of fermented to dry as they get more willing to eat it. I started because they are so messy in the way that they have to run between their feeder and waterer and thought that a wet feed might cut down on the spilling and waste. It is good to know that it will also mean I can cut back on the yeast. Thanks for the good information.

 

[slordaz]

your very welcome, you don't need brewers yeast with feeding fermented feed, I feed mostly the FF , they have grass and stuff in the pen and get treats they love their fruits and veggies too. They are growing a lot better since we changed them, but I do still leave some dry in there just in case. They do like variety but are very happy with that set up.

fermenting makes it easier to digest for them and adds in probiotics and vitamins that in reg feed that aren't available but with the changes it goes through they do get released or made. I personally fill back so don't have to keep restarting it, every other day I add more feed and water to keep it going, I've noticed they aren't as messy being cooped up until they are big enough to fend off predators

Most important is the birds are all happy and healthy and I am saving money without cutting corners.