Feeding guide?

[Neptunes]

I have searched and looked at many posts, but they all seem to conflict. I have almost 3 week old ducklings that are eating mannapro duckling crumbles which have 22% protein. Some say switch at 3 weeks and others at 6 weeks. When should they switch from this food to pellets? Also which food do I switch to? I do not want to make it myself. The Purina pellets on amazon are still 20%, and I thought that when you switch it needed to be lower. Help! These are my babies and I want them to be healthy. They only serve as pets at our house. Thanks in advance!

 

[Quatie]

So, when you switch does not matter too much. I was completely worried about this the first time I raised ducklings. If you are raising a larger breed, like Pekins, I would lean towards switching to a lower protein sooner if possible. I have experienced them over eating. Overall I switch to pellets, around 5-6 weeks. For me, basically the bag runs out. You can always mix in the crumble with the pellets to finish it off.

Most people switch to some kind of all flock raiser. I have fed a variety of things do to limited stocks in my area lately. I have had to feed chick crumble, purina duck, and such to my adult ducks. They all are fine with those levels of protein. You can cut the protein level down with oats, but be aware it can potentially affect their nutritional intake.

As long as you don't feed them layer feed till they are of laying age, you should be fine.

 

[Kiki]

This feed?

https://www.mannapro.com/poultry/chick-feed/duckling-gosling-starter-grower-crumbles

"Directions For Use: Feed Manna Pro Duckling & Gosling Starter Grower Crumbles to young ducks and geese from hatching to 8 weeks of age. It is generally recommended to give growing ducks free access to feed, allowing them to consume all they want. This product can also be limit-fed to achieve the desired rate of growth and body condition."

 

[Neptunes]

So, when you switch does not matter too much. I was completely worried about this the first time I raised ducklings. If you are raising a larger breed, like Pekins, I would lean towards switching to a lower protein sooner if possible. I have experienced them over eating. Overall I switch to pellets, around 5-6 weeks. For me, basically the bag runs out. You can always mix in the crumble with the pellets to finish it off.

Most people switch to some kind of all flock raiser. I have fed a variety of things do to limited stocks in my area lately. I have had to feed chick crumble, purina duck, and such to my adult ducks. They all are fine with those levels of protein. You can cut the protein level down with oats, but be aware it can potentially affect their nutritional intake.

As long as you don't feed them layer feed till they are of laying age, you should be fine.

Thank you so much! For layer feed, do you only feed that to females? Stupid question I am sure, but I want to make sure my babies are healthy.

 

[Neptunes]

This feed?

https://www.mannapro.com/poultry/chick-feed/duckling-gosling-starter-grower-crumbles

"Directions For Use: Feed Manna Pro Duckling & Gosling Starter Grower Crumbles to young ducks and geese from hatching to 8 weeks of age. It is generally recommended to give growing ducks free access to feed, allowing them to consume all they want. This product can also be limit-fed to achieve the desired rate of growth and body condition."

That is the food, which is one reason I was confused. The bag says longer than most posts I see from others. I keep seeing 3-6 weeks and the bag actually says up to 18 weeks on the back.

 

[Quatie]

Thank you so much! For layer feed, do you only feed that to females? Stupid question I am sure, but I want to make sure my babies are healthy.

Yes. Layer feed has higher calcium to help with egg shell formation. With younger ducks that high level of calcium can be detrimental to their health. Many provided oyster shells for calcium, but not all ducks are good about eating them. My pekin is terrible about eating them. My other girls are great at it. If it was not for my pekin, I could feed all flock all the time with oyster shells on the side.

I keep seeing 3-6 weeks and the bag actually says up to 18 weeks on the back.

18-20 weeks is females start to lay eggs. So the food company is telling you at 18 weeks to switch to a layer feed. If you have all males, you could feed it to them for the rest of their lives.

 

[Neptunes]

Yes. Layer feed has higher calcium to help with egg shell formation. With younger ducks that high level of calcium can be detrimental to their health. Many provided oyster shells for calcium, but not all ducks are good about eating them. My pekin is terrible about eating them. My other girls are great at it. If it was not for my pekin, I could feed all flock all the time with oyster shells on the side.



18-20 weeks is females start to lay eggs. So the food company is telling you at 18 weeks to switch to a layer feed. If you have all males, you could feed it to them for the rest of their lives.

Great, thanks!

 

[Ratchnick]

I have searched and looked at many posts, but they all seem to conflict. I have almost 3 week old ducklings that are eating mannapro duckling crumbles which have 22% protein. Some say switch at 3 weeks and others at 6 weeks. When should they switch from this food to pellets? Also which food do I switch to? I do not want to make it myself. The Purina pellets on amazon are still 20%, and I thought that when you switch it needed to be lower. Help! These are my babies and I want them to be healthy. They only serve as pets at our house. Thanks in advance!

The reason you get different answers is because on the professional level opinions conflict on this subject. Some say to drop their protein to 16% or you will get angel wing, others say feed at least 20% or it will cause metabolic issues. Just try something and stick with it for this batch of ducklings. If it does not work for you try something else next time.

 

[Neptunes]

The reason you get different answers is because on the professional level opinions conflict on this subject. Some say to drop their protein to 16% or you will get angel wing, others say feed at least 20% or it will cause metabolic issues. Just try something and stick with it for this batch of ducklings. If it does not work for you try something else next

Thank you!

 

[indianaducks]

I was feeding that manna pro duckling and gosling starter until rural king ran out of it. I've just been feeding whatever feed i can find that's not for layers, and preferably is duck or all flock. Based on what I've read on BYC. It's hard to find sometimes and I have both RK and TSC in town.