Mazuri? Game Bird feed? Make your own?

[brenna]

So from what I've seen, pretty much everyone here has their own little way of feeding their ducks and I've been looking around and getting some interesting ideas...
But I still have questions.

Does anyone here go through the trouble of having their local Purina Dealer/ Feed Store order Mazuri waterfowl feed directly from the manufacturer (no one around me carries it)? Is it worth it?

I have four ducklings that are about 3 weeks old. I am keeping them for pets and eggs only. I'm not trying to fatten them up or show them, I simply want them to be as healthy as possible and live as naturally as possible. They will be ranging much of the time, but I want to know what the very best supplemental food option is to be used in addition to free-ranging and snacks as well as for bad weather/winter.

Does anyone on here keep their ducks just as pets and have a great feeding method that they would like to share? I've read Storey's Guide and it's all very technical (which is fine if that's what works). I just want to know what real people are doing with their real pet ducks. I'm open to almost anything.

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

Ive been using Dumor 20% and so far all of the ducklings are doing great on it. I used this all last year too. Once they get around 5 or so weeks old, I switch over to Dumor finisher which is 15% I think.

 

[brenna]

Is "finisher" as scary as it sounds? It just makes it seem like I'm fattening them up to ship them to market, and what I'm really looking for is just... food. I guess it just sounds bad in my head. Would they still lead long happy duck lives if I fed them "finisher" for many years?

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

Quote:
I switch over to the finisher/grower because it has lower protein, which could be a cause of angelwing. After they are full grown they get Purina Flock raiser with some whole corn and wheat added.

 

[TennesseeTruly]

For the past 18 months we've been using Mazuri and just this month we finally admitted that we just can no longer afford it. When we first started buying it, it was $22. for a 50 lb bag. It is now $39 for a 50 lb bag. Considering the amount of waterfowl that we have, we just can't afford to feed them the Mazuri any longer.

I was feeding Purina Duck feed and was having it shipped in but it was costing me more to have it shipped than it was for the food.

It's really disappointing.

Laurie

 

[chasing ducks]

I use Dumor grower for mine (all are 2-3 weeks old) I supplement with scrambled eggs, fresh frozen peas, brewer's yeast and they eat grass and bugs when outside in their yeard. (They only go out on warm days right now for an hour or two)

 

[pirtykitty]

I'm feeding mine Mazuri waterfowl maintinance ... It runs me 28.50 for 50 lb bag.. They get about a cup in the morning and a cup in the evening that they share.. ( I had 3 ducks but am down to two at the moment.) I bought a bag last Oct.. and it lasted up until about a week ago.. I just purchased another bag.. I got about 6 months from a bag.. I keep it in 6 gallon buckets with screw on lid... they also get a mix of rabbit pellets, oat groats, wheat, cracked corn, . I will cut the wheat and the corn out for the summer.. They also get a handfull of Iams cat food several times a week.. they love it.. they also like their mazuri... I keep oyster shell on hand and grit too..

They also get lots of greens ( grasses, weeds, romaine, etc) . I will also fix them cucumbers cut up in tiny pieces and tomatoes when the garden starts produceing. They free range in back yard all day so lots of bugs etc..

 

[Boggy Bottom Bantams]

Purina Layena is all you need, or just a good ration Layer pellet from a local store, Mazuri is highly over rated, and over priced. I have raised virtually every species of migratory waterfowl you can have over 20 years and never once bought a single bag of, it, for 1000 birds you just cant afford to justify it.
I always used Layena or Purina Gamebird Chow, with excellent results, even with my Eider (seaducks) and other high maintenace diver species, If you are worried about protein levels, get a bag of 30% catfish floating feed, and sling them a cup full every evening. It's a great wau to interact with, and enjoy your birds, and they love it (it's the same stuff zoos let you feed to their ducks).
Anyway, that's my 2 cents worth. They do just fine on the cheap feed, especially domestics, they'll eat anything!!
Dont break the bank on it

 

[lovesduckies]

i raised inside the house duckies. when i had my first one, i was lied to and was sold chick feed. i will never use it on a duck again because my duckling died. just MY opinion with MY experience. i got 2 new ducklings and got purina mills game bird starter and i think it will be the only thing i ever use on ducklings. i did not not put all the extra vitamins in the food like most other people do. i did not think it was needed. again MY opinion. my ducks are healthy and in great condition. they now eat layer pellets. good luck

 

[Bettacreek]

Right now, mine are on a 20% chick starter. I'll be putting them on 22% broiler feed once their 20% bag is gone. I wouldn't waste my money on Mazuri when you can have perfectly healthy ducks on a MUCH less expensive feed. The broiler feed is $19.50 for 100lbs. Once they hit laying age, they'll be on a 16% layer that's only $12/100lbs.