I live in upstate South Carolina. There is no duck or waterfowl food here except Mazuri at $40/bag - too pricey for my mixed flock of 14 birds (4 hens, 3 ducks, 7 drakes).
HENS and DUCKS: I am feeding the hens and ducks Purina Layena with a bit of rabbit chow and scratch grains (plus some occasional time free-ranging). I'm hoping the rabbit chow will provide some of the extra niacin the ducks need. Not sure if there is enough in those foods for the ducks. I sometimes add yeast but I know they need a lot and that is expensive...
DRAKES: I'm not sure what to feed the drakes. I know they can't be on lay pellets long term because those have too much calcium. At this time I am feeding them mixed rabbit chow, flock raiser and scratch. The problem is the flock raiser is in crumbles form and most of that ends up in the water bucket because it sticks in their mouths. They do much better with pelleted food... but I can't find a low calcium pelleted food in my area. Any ideas on what to feed drakes for a healthy low-calcium mix?
HENS and DUCKS: I am feeding the hens and ducks Purina Layena with a bit of rabbit chow and scratch grains (plus some occasional time free-ranging). I'm hoping the rabbit chow will provide some of the extra niacin the ducks need. Not sure if there is enough in those foods for the ducks. I sometimes add yeast but I know they need a lot and that is expensive...
DRAKES: I'm not sure what to feed the drakes. I know they can't be on lay pellets long term because those have too much calcium. At this time I am feeding them mixed rabbit chow, flock raiser and scratch. The problem is the flock raiser is in crumbles form and most of that ends up in the water bucket because it sticks in their mouths. They do much better with pelleted food... but I can't find a low calcium pelleted food in my area. Any ideas on what to feed drakes for a healthy low-calcium mix?