Layer Feed: corn, or no corn?

[BornToQuack]

Our three Indian Runner ducks are now 17 weeks old and I'm thinking about starting the transition over to layer feed. The question is: should I get layer feed WITH corn, or WITHOUT corn?

One website I read said corn is good for providing extra oil and fat over the winter. Our winters (Portland, OR) are usually fairly mild from a temperature standpoint, but VERY rainy. So would adding corn to their diet help keep them comfortable in the rain?

Here are links to the two feeds I'm considering:

With corn
https://www.scratchandpeck.com/shop/soy-free-layer/

Without corn
https://www.scratchandpeck.com/shop/naturally-free-layer/

 

[casportpony]

Our three Indian Runner ducks are now 17 weeks old and I'm thinking about starting the transition over to layer feed. The question is: should I get layer feed WITH corn, or WITHOUT corn?

One website I read said corn is good for providing extra oil and fat over the winter. Our winters (Portland, OR) are usually fairly mild from a temperature standpoint, but VERY rainy. So would adding corn to their diet help keep them comfortable in the rain?

Here are links to the two feeds I'm considering:

With corn
https://www.scratchandpeck.com/shop/soy-free-layer/

Without corn
https://www.scratchandpeck.com/shop/naturally-free-layer/

What's the guaranteed analysis of them? What's the niacin%? Call them and ask if you can't find out.

 

[BornToQuack]

What's the guaranteed analysis of them? What's the niacin%? Call them and ask if you can't find out.

Here's the analysis of the one with corn.

 

[BornToQuack]

Here's the one without corn.

 

[BornToQuack]

Both say they're "a complete feed for laying ducks and poultry," and their sales rep told me awhile ago (when I first started my girls on this brand's grower feed) that they have increased the niacin in their feeds to accommodate ducks and other waterfowl.

 

[casportpony]

I think either will be fine. Watch for them picking out their favorite grains and resist the urge to fill up their feed bowl before they eat everything.

 

[happy duck]

I would go with the corn....it will give good protein and yes help keep them warm(if I can remember...or I am confusing it with peanuts).

 

[SkyeT]

I have begun giving our flock a small scoop of large song bird feed, because of the variety of seeds that it carries. And, they LOVE sunflowers. I catch them sifting through the feed to find the cracked corn, sunflower seeds and other goodies. Thankfully, I don't get anyone snubbing their crumble. You'd think crumble was gold or something.

Our Muscovies are the biggest fans of sunflower seeds.

 

[Timothy Menezes]

Either one looks like a solid choice and definitely a step above most other feeds. I would probably go with the corn since it doesn’t have allot of corn, and i like that peas are the number one ingredient.

I don’t mind a little corn, especially in winter. Just don’t like it when it’s the number one ingredient. That’s why I mix their scratch with cat kibbles (for the fish based proteins / fats) and corn free pigeon seed.

 

[Miss Lydia]

All my flock gets whole NON GMO corn starting this month through winter it gets mixed into the 6 way scratch I buy for them. It really does help through winter. And they love it. This is their afternoon treat.