mixing feed at 3 months old ok?

[annette'spets]

just wondered if we can mix the expensive Masura Waterfowl feed with a less pricey feed and if so, what kind and will the protein be fine? Don't want to jeopardize their health as they are so beautiful but it does add up! If it's not a good idea we won't. They have lots of great pasture.

 

[goosedragon]

annette'spets :

just wondered if we can mix the expensive Masura Waterfowl feed with a less pricey feed and if so, what kind and will the protein be fine? Don't want to jeopardize their health as they are so beautiful but it does add up! If it's not a good idea we won't. They have lots of great pasture.

This is JUST MY OPINION, I think it is great that you gave them a fine start with the top of the line waterfowl feed. and I well understand why you would like to go to a less pricey feed. there are few feeds formulated just for geese because they usually perfer pasture to feed.
Are your bird's wings fully developed, completely feathered out? I am asking because of the general theory that too much protein when their feathers are comming in can cause 'angel wing' where their wings form improperly, stick out from the body at an odd angle and destroys their sleek looks.
I don't know what may be available in your area but you should be able to find Flockraiser which is a good all around feed. Look for any feed labeled for Waterfowl. If you have questions copy info from the bag tags and ask again, you maywantto search for a layer feed, since they may start laying in Feb or March. Short answer is that many of us are looking for cheaper feeds that won't set our birds back. Keep in touch.​

 

[annette'spets]

Thanks Goosedragon for the info. my husband asked at the feed store what people mix and they gave him Gamebird 30% by Manna Pro. That seems alarmingly high but have mixed small amount in the Masuri feed and they eat all with gusto! We will give them less and let them pasture more. I did not know they might start laying in Feb. or March! Do people eat the eggs? - I know they are good in cakes- but 4 geese are plenty for us. We are not positive of what gender they are yet. One male by actions,can't tell on others. Yes, wings are perfectly feathered- one had "angel wing" but thanks to forum ,we taped for 7 days and they all look gorgeous flying across the pasture with their wings spread out wide.
Guess I'm give some of that new food to chickens to use it up.

 

[goosedragon]

annette'spets :

Thanks Goosedragon for the info. my husband asked at the feed store what people mix and they gave him Gamebird 30% by Manna Pro. That seems alarmingly high but have mixed small amount in the Masuri feed and they eat all with gusto! We will give them less and let them pasture more. I did not know they might start laying in Feb. or March! Do people eat the eggs? - I know they are good in cakes- but 4 geese are plenty for us. We are not positive of what gender they are yet. One male by actions,can't tell on others. Yes, wings are perfectly feathered- one had "angel wing" but thanks to forum ,we taped for 7 days and they all look gorgeous flying across the pasture with their wings spread out wide.
Guess I'm give some of that new food to chickens to use it up.

I said they MIGHT start laying that early. I got my first goose egg ever on St.valentines day (2/14) which was a surprize because of the time and because I thought they were both ganders! Here in NC the natural goslings are done by mid June.
I have eaten the eggs but they really are too big for one person. I have used them in baking with good results but You need a scale to convert recipies. Mine used to kick out 6-7 ounce eggs a large chicken egg is 2 ounces.
I sold quite a few eggs through the local community collage they had someone in the art department that taught how to decorate eggs in the old Polish folk patterns. she perfered duck eggs but her students wanted goose eggs for their masterworks, that size fully decorated is a sight to see!
I had something cheaper in mind for food to mix Musuri feed with like layer ration, here manna pro is often added to whole grains to boost the protein to a suitable ration. What ever works for you.
To me there are few things to match the sight of your own geese playing in the air, calling back and forth, and occasionally 'buzzing' me just because they can! Keep them flying!​

 

[Duck Keeper]

Higher protein is probably a better idea for ducks (considering their natural diet consists mostly of bugs, fish, frogs etc.) but for geese I don't know if they need it that high. And not because of 'angel wing,' but just because geese don't normally eat too much protein. Their natural diet is based almost solely on plants, but I'd imagine and odd bug accidentally eaten would contribute to their protein.

All in all, I think feeding higher protein is better than stunting their growth to prevent an easily identified trait which you can breed out of your flock by not breeding that bird.

http://www.freewebs.com/cottage_rose_birdsnblossoms/angelwing.htm
VERY good article about angel wing. Please read it through!

 

[annette'spets]

That was a very interesting link of cottage Rose's information . I wish I had read it before I ordered "weeder" geese! Thought it was a great idea since my 28 yr. old horse died and gave my mare away ,keep the pastures weeded Ha. I might have had them on waterfowl starter too long,five weeks I changed to Maintenance and maybe overfed. Anyway, they are happy and healthy now. Will look for layer feed next if I mix in other stuff. With my luck I have one male, three females and will have to run around taking the eggs unless I want a herd!!

 

[goosedragon]

Quote:

 

[Cottage Rose]

30% is way too high!
Try to stay within the 16% - 18% range.
If you're feeding game bird or any other high protein feed cut the protein down with whole oats, wheat etc.
Don't use cracked corn as its will make them too fat.
You'd be better off feeding a chick grower formula.
As long as you have grass only feed them the amount of food they will clean up in say 15 minutes, preferably in the evening so you don't discourage them from grazing during the day.
Started geese really don't need alot of supplemental feed if they have access to lush, green grass. Keep in mind, over grown tough weeds and pasture grass doesn't provide much nutrition rather just fiber.
Mow down over grown stuff to encourage regrowth
and rotate pastures/grazibg areas if you are able to.
See my websites tip page for more info.

My geese start laying mid February
even here in c-c-cold Michigan.
If you want to incubate the eggs you simply
have to collect the eggs before they freeze
and incubate them artificially....
of wait for warmer temps and setting gooses.
The earliest mine start going broody is early - mid March
and not all of them will get to setting that early.

 

[Duck Keeper]

Quote:

Well excuse me, O mighty one! I wasn't aware one needed a degree to post their opinion.

I was not trying to post 'facts,' simply observations, and as stated above, opinions.

I fail to see how this even affects a feed mixing conversation, really.



Of course, I was talking about animal protein, considering I was speaking of bugs and lizards when I compared NATURAL diets of ducks to NATURAL diets of geese, where a man-made feed doesn't even come into the equation. Most man-made feeds available in my area derive their protein almost exclusively from soybeans {which I would greatly prefer it didn't, but it's all that is available without special ordering it from a better quality mill}, so I'm assuming you were being sarcastic when you asked if it would surprise me to know that most feed gets it's protein from plants. -__-;


As for the whole protein thing - currently my ducklings are on 28% protein feed, because I want to emulate a more natural existence in captivity. If they can't flourish on a more "natural" diet geared towards higher protein sources that ducks would eat in the wild, they do not belong in my flock.

 

[Cottage Rose]

Quote:
LMBO re. " O' mighty one"!

Watch it GD...
I might have to get the duct tape out!

DK: You DON'T need to have a degree to post here.
We're not all experts, just folks just sharing our opinions
& experiences.
Whether right or wrong,
theres always going to be those critics out there.