Female duck winter diet

[Mudbillkisses]

Hi all. I live in upstate ny where it gets cold and snowy in the winter. I have a muscovy and ancona both females who have not been eating much of their pellet layer feed lately (they seemed to eat it more in the fall - which is probably normal)...but I'm concerned they're not eating enough. I give them peas and meal worms but not enough to sustain them. I've tried corn in the past- they don't seem to like it. I read someone gave their ducks wheat in addition to the pellet food and theirs tended to eat more wheat in winter. Is that advisable? Does it cause health issues for them to eat layer feed when they aren't laying? Please advise, thanks so much!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I would switch them off the layer to an All Flock. My muscovy get an All Flock year round. They also get oyster shells free choice and egg shells for the calcium needs. Mine like whole corn and get some year round.

 

[chickens really]

Switch the feed from the layer..I feed Duck specific feed and add in scratch grain plus oat and barley crumble...

 

[Mudbillkisses]

Thanks for the replies! I found an all flock locally to switch to, I was just concerned the protein content would be a bit high cause it's at 18%. I feed them meal worms (their favorite treat) so I don't want to go too high on protein but can't seem to find an all flock locally with less protein than that. I just started feeding them oats and they love that. I'll be on the look out for barley crumble- that's a good idea if I can find some.

 

[chickens really]

Thanks for the replies! I found an all flock locally to switch to, I was just concerned the protein content would be a bit high cause it's at 18%. I feed them meal worms (their favorite treat) so I don't want to go too high on protein but can't seem to find an all flock locally with less protein than that. I just started feeding them oats and they love that. I'll be on the look out for barley crumble- that's a good idea if I can find some.

No need for meal worms...Can be as a treat every few days...Greens are great ..

 

[Mudbillkisses]

Yeah...it's just they are kind of obsessed with the meal worms so I was giving them a small handful in their water every night. I suppose I'll have to space it out more now that their feed is higher in protein. I wish the all flock feeds weren't so high in that since they get it from foraging and supplemental treats.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

If you feed the all flock and some scratch or whole corn it will cut the daily protein. You need to feed a much higher protein feed before you need to worry about them getting too much protein. Most all flock run between 18-22%, hardy an amount you need to worry about. Meal worms are higher in protein and should be a treat, especially the freeze dried ones.

 

[lomine]

I'd be more concerned with the amount of fat in the meal worms. I think it's something like 28%. I give all my ducks and chickens mealworms daily now that all the bugs are gone. But I toss them out on the ground and they have to work to find them. I'd guess they only get a few worms each but it's a good way for them to pass the time.

I feed Purina Flock Raiser all year round. It's 20% protein.

 

[chickens really]

I feed Duck finisher at 16% protein but then add in scratch less corn variety and Oat and Barley crumble which brings diet to a balance..
Not to mention fresh greens they get also