HI all!

[m496]

OK, so I just went to the feed store today...I bought a bag of crimped oats (9% protein) and a 25 lb bag of Country Feeds All Flock Crumble (they didn't have any pellet form available so I went with cumble!) (18% Protein). I poured the 25 lb of All Flock into a bin and then mixed 6 lbs of oats into that. I wanted 25% of their feed to be oats and 75% to be All Flock so that the protein and calcium levels would drop down. Does that sound correct or should I add some more lbs of oats into that? By the way......I am getting my m.s.a's this Friday!!! Woo! Do ya'll want pictures?


Thank you again.

 

[Miss Lydia]

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I think crumbles are better for ducklings, after 3to4 weeks then introduce to pellets. You'll see that with crumbles theres more waste but it's easier for ducklings to eat. Don't forget the nician, in what ever form I like brewers yeast.

 

[GrannyCarol]

Sounds fine to me. Really it's not that worrisome, they'll do great, even if your feeding practices aren't perfect.

Do try to get them some greens and natural foods. I'd think that 25% of a mixture of oats, greens, various fruits and veggies and whatever wholesome kitchen scraps you have will work great to bring down your protein and vary their diet. When I was reading this this morning, I realized that my ducks are out in a large yard with fruit trees, grass, weeds, bugs, etc. all day and that forms a portion of their diet all summer. doh! I'm sure that balances out against any problems in my bagged feeds.

I've been reading Harvey Ussery's website about food - growing it, natural systems and how they work together and how to grow more and more of your poultry's diet and use their droppings and natural habits to improve your gardens. Fascinating and I really like how he grows cover crops in his garden and lets his poultry then eat it all and the chickens scratch up the plants and prepare his soil for planting. I may have to get a few chickens too, just to till our garden! lol However reading that reminded me that my ducks get as much free range as they can on 3/4 of an acre here in town. Nothing is better than the diet they naturally eat really. I'm going to look into more ways to grow their food... may have to get a green house! Some of you might enjoy his website (he has a great new book out too, I'll probably have to get it!).

http://www.themodernhomestead.us/article/Home.html

Have fun!

 

[ChickInDelight]

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Silly, silly, silly! OF COURSE we want pictures.

 

[m496]

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Thank you!! I am also planning on feeding grit, kitchen scraps(i.e. lettuce, older tomatoes, scraps, etc.) and their pen isn't on grass unfortunately, but there is a gate from their pen to a small pasture which I will use to let them "free range" a bit! I am trying to figure out how to get their pen grassy, etc. or just ways to feed them, so I will take a look at that link you shared!!!!
By the way, we also have chickens and they are great for scratching in the dirt, etc.
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Hahah. I will be sure to post pictures! By the way, I love your profile picture! We have chickens and I just love when they look at you like that! So funny and cute.