Increasing protein in feed

[jdywntr]

I haven't been able to find much of anything on increasing protein only cutting it.

My situation: I have chickens, ducks and ducklings that all eat in the same area. At my local feed store I can get 16 or 22% layer pellets, medicated 20% starter, 9% scratch or a 13% nine way mix.

Currently, I get the 13% and 22% layer to mix for the adults and starter and 13% for the ducklings (for about 1 week now). I want to start feeding them the same and don't want the ducklings eating layer or the adults eating medicated. I am wondering what others have used.

My options are cat kibble
I could get fish food.

The store may sell a gamebird grain mix that is 16% and made by one of the mills they by from.

This is info for the game poultry feed from the website, anyone know if this is okay for ducks?
Formulated for optimum growth, health, and production of game poultry, fortified with added: •Lysine •Methionine •Calcium •Phosphorous •Zinc •Vitamins A, D, & E

 

[Amiga]

When I want to pop up the protein for the ducks, I add some dry cat kibble - Eagle Pak. It's 37% protein if I recall.

 

[jdywntr]

Thanks Amiga. Is adding cat kibble okay long term? That is one thing I'm concerned with. Storey's Guide is kind of vague about it. Just says not more than 10-15% of diet for a prolonged period.

The easiest thing would be if I could use the "game poultry" feed. Its 16% and I've just started fermenting my feed so it would raise it to just over 17% which would be good except for very young ducklings.

 

[Amiga]

I like the easy route, myself. I don't give cat kibble all the time. I add it in the fall when the ducks molt (they take turns, you know, with a maximum of three ducks at a time molting, so it takes months for everyone to go through it), sometimes as a treat in winter.

I also give mealworms sometimes, and those are proteinaceous. Is that a word?

Half the year there are slugs and worms and grubs, so there are bunches of additional protein snacks in their diet.

 

[LukensFarms]

Why don't you want the ducklings eating 22% layer? I feed all my chickens, chicks, ducks, and turkeys 20% vegetarian chick starter.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Why don't you want the ducklings eating 22% layer? I feed all my chickens, chicks, ducks, and turkeys 20% vegetarian chick starter.

There is thought behind high protein and wing disorder known as Angel Wing in waterfowl

 

[jdywntr]

Why don't you want the ducklings eating 22% layer? I feed all my chickens, chicks, ducks, and turkeys 20% vegetarian chick starter.

Growing birds should never be fed layer feed. It has too much calcium and can cause organ or skeletal problems or even death.

As stated, my only option for higher protein feeds are medicated starter or layer. I am looking for an option that I can increase a 13% protein feed with such as cat food, fish food etc. Or to see if anyone has experience using the game poultry feed that I found.

 

[jruhle]

I feed my ducks a combination of layer feed, cat kibble, grains, and try to give them fresh greens daily if possible. If they can forage also they will get the protein they need by eating worms, slugs and bugs. If my ducks don't get their "salad" everyday they make a big racket when they see me even if their food hopper is full!

 

[Miss Lydia]

I like the easy route, myself. I don't give cat kibble all the time. I add it in the fall when the ducks molt (they take turns, you know, with a maximum of three ducks at a time molting, so it takes months for everyone to go through it), sometimes as a treat in winter.

I also give mealworms sometimes, and those are proteinaceous. Is that a word?

Half the year there are slugs and worms and grubs, so there are bunches of additional protein snacks in their diet.

Amiga how do you feed the cat kibble? do you grind it up or feed as is?

 

[Kevin565]

Right now I'm feeding my peafowl some cat food in addition to their feed. I just feed it as is. It's actually seemed to cure them of their feather picking issue.