how can I lower the protein in duck feed?

[thecallducks]

how can i lower the protein in duck feed? and how much protein should ducks get?

 

[U_Stormcrow]

There are a few studies showing higher incidence of "angel wing" in ducks fed in excess of 24% protein feed, particularly in their first 5 months of growth. Similar studies show increased incidence in high carb diets (particularly refined carbs - think "white bread"), and studies showing a likely, but as not yet identified, genetic component which seems to function like a predisposition, rather than a root cause.

in short, its complicated.

But I've raised all me Pekins on 24% for the first two-three months then dropped to 20% or even 18% for the rest of their life. No issues yet (well, one case of wry neck, corrected with a vitamin water regimen). Admittedly small sample size.

Assuming your duck feed is in the 20-24% range for protein, no need to do anything.

/edit Well, beyond checking to unsure your duck feed has adequate Niacin.

 

[Brooke_R]

how can i lower the protein in duck feed? and how much protein should ducks get?

I heard you can put a bunch of oats in their feed so it dilutes it sort of

 

[Crazy Maizie]

What are you currently feeding? What is the current protein level? Is there a reason you want to lower the protein? If its actual duck feed, it's made specifically for ducks and should be sufficient.

 

[thecallducks]

What are you currently feeding? What is the current protein level? Is there a reason you want to lower the protein? If its actual duck feed, it's made specifically for ducks and should be sufficient.

i dont have ducks but am planning to get some and trying to figure out a diet. the protein is 19% for the feed i would use.

 

[Crazy Maizie]

What is the feed?

 

[Crazy Maizie]

Here's a sticky in the duck forum on duck care.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/ducks-sticky-topics-index.256233/

Cutting feed with oats or anything else can also cut the nutritional content of of the feed which can cause issues. Anything other than feed is considered a treat. However, if you will only have ducks, feeding them a duck appropriate feed would be the best practice.
If you have a mixed flock, feeding an all flock works for many here on BYC. I always add nutritional yeast for the first 6 months and add some throughout the year as it doesn't hurt ducks to have an little extra.
The feed I currently feed is 20% flock maker. I've fed a flock feed to chickens and ducks from hatch with no issues. I do not cut it with anything specifically. A couple of times a week I throw them a handful of appropriate treats. Thats one handful for the whole flock not enough to cut their nutritional needs.
Also, if you let your poultry free range for even part of the day, they will cut their feed with whatever they find in the yard.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

i dont have ducks but am planning to get some and trying to figure out a diet. the protein is 19% for the feed i would use.

19% is just fine for ducks, all life stages. If you were raising ducks specifically for meat, (i.e. Pekins for the table) I'd recommend a higher protein level (like the 24% I offer my own) to help them bulk up faster, since any potential health problems that arise which might be health impairing aren't likely to express themselves until after its life has been limited by my knife. But if you plan to keep ducks as egg layers, or as pets, perfectly fine.

And again, reminder to look at Niacin levels in the feed, since ducks need 2-3x what chickens do. Other posters have checked with Purina and Nutrena - at the time of inquiry, the levels in their All Flock/Flock Raiser products were appropriate for ducks and geese. If you are getting just generic 18 por 19% "chicken feed", you want to either talk with the mill about Niacin levels, or plan to suppliment as a precaution.