How much brewers yeast for ducks.

[ducksinarow]

I bought a jar of brewers yeast. What do I do with it. Do I put it in their water or food and how much. I have 5 week olds. I have been using gamebird feed but it is 24% so I bought unmed chick starter and grower with lower protein and thought I could add some brewers yeast but now I don't know how much. Anybody use this stuff? Thanks

 

[maralynn28]

24% is def way too high. What % is the stuff you are using now? I have 18% protein starter/grower which I add a sprinkle of yeast and about 20-25% oats mixed in (oats lower the protein level -I hope to about 16%). I have heard some people put yeast in the water, but considering ducklings history with water, I prefer to sprinkle a thin layer over the top and then mix it throughout the feed. So far no issues.

 

[gofasterstripe]

At 5 weeks you should have them on Grower/Finisher 16%. Dumb Duck will be past too to tell you something else...I cant remember what she uses.

 

[ducksinarow]

I bought Nutrena chick starter grower. It is 18%, but I give them greens and I also have wheat I sometimes mix in. I was just concerned about the brewers yeast. I put a teaspoon in their food. I am not sure how much.

 

[FenDruadin]

Brewer's yeast goes in the food. But you probably don't need it. If you've got game bird feed and chick starter, just mix the two 50/50 and you'll have a close approximation of the right protein (it will be a little high, but not dangerously so) and niacin. This is how I always raise my birds and they do great.

As they get older (starting at two- to three-weeks) you can begin adding oats or wheat to the mix to bring the protein percentage down. Start with just a handful each day and by the time they are eight weeks old, aim to have the wheat or oats take up about 25% of the total volume (that's one cup for every three cups of the game bird/chick starter).

This mix works great for me, and uses what you already have. The brewer's yeast won't hurt them though, so feel free to add it to the food as well. Or eat it yourself--it's quite nutritious.

 

[ducksinarow]

Thanks for the advice