Need Advice on Feed

[Luv Ducks]

The biggest hurdle on the “best” feed I’ve been trying to sort out is that many are labeled as “layer”, and the instructions specify to not feed it to male birds...
I have not resolved that yet.
Especially because I am allergic to soy and corn, and try to avoid feeding it to my birds that we raise for meat and eggs.
The feed we are currently using is 18% protein. I add (quick) oats to it to cut the protein levels for the ducks.
How much to add depends on the feed, and how many ducks you are managing.
I just buy Quaker quick oats at Costco and estimate how much to add/ watch the “kiddos” and adjust as needed.
I also add brewers yeast tablets to the feed, ground up w a mortar and pestal, that I get at my local feed store. It is labeled for dogs, but the math of the dosage and the approximate weight of the total number of birds you are feeding, is pretty straightforward. The oats and niacin are added to every batch of feed for the ducks.
It’s kind of an art, and kind of a science at the same time

I feed mine Purina Flock Raiser. It seems to keep mine quite healthy. I also give a little bit of Scratch Grains which they really don't have to have and a scoop of Layer Pellets. Now that I have my Drakes separated they will not be getting any Layer Pellets but the small amount that is with their feed has never been an issue for any of them. My Mallard Rouen will still get some but not the rest of the boys. My ducklings only get the Flock Raiser and have always done really well on it or on Dumor 22% Duck All Life Stages which I buy sometimes for them. All of my ducks have always been extremely healthy. I have never had to deal with a sick one so I have really been blessed. They have it 24/7 in big covered bowls with water 24/7. They live on sand and in my covered houses they have wood shavings that are replaced periodically.

 

[HeritageFan]

I feed mine Purina Flock Raiser. It seems to keep mine quite healthy. I also give a little bit of Scratch Grains which they really don't have to have and a scoop of Layer Pellets. Now that I have my Drakes separated they will not be getting any Layer Pellets but the small amount that is with their feed has never been an issue for any of them. My Mallard Rouen will still get some but not the rest of the boys. My ducklings only get the Flock Raiser and have always done really well on it or on Dumor 22% Duck All Life Stages which I buy sometimes for them. All of my ducks have always been extremely healthy. I have never had to deal with a sick one so I have really been blessed. They have it 24/7 in big covered bowls with water 24/7. They live on sand and in my covered houses they have wood shavings that are replaced periodically.

All of my Toms and Drakes have been on layer crumbles...because they live w the girls for the most part.
The Purina corn/ soy free is expensive but half the price of the organic corn/ soy free pellets and those are also labeled “layer”
The Toms in the bachelor pen get some hulled barley as well, in addition to their crumbles (well, all of the turkeys get some, but the Toms get the most lol), and they also are in a tractor/ get to graze on lots of grass.
The ducks get to free range when we are home to watch them. Dandelions are their favorite treat, which I love since they keep them at bay in the grass by the house
Male fertility has not been an issue.... and I’m not really ready to try to mix my own feed.
Fermented feed is interesting - but I’m having a hard time finding enough info to feel like it’s a good way to go rn.
I start my babies on a wild game bird starter...which is all corn and soy lol but. It has worked really well for the fluffy kids so far!
Watching eggs wobbling in the ‘bator rn, looking forward to the next round of peepers

 

[Pollo Blanco]

I found a duck specific feed! https://www.nutrenaworld.com/product/country-feeds-duck-feed

Also, even though this is specifically made for ducks, I should probably continue to mix nutritional yeast into their food, right?

I use the Nutrina Duck Feed and my ducks seem healthy, but like yours, they also get a lot of forage. I don't do the yeast anymore because I'm not sure it's worth the cost, but niacin is so cheap I add it to the water whenever I have youngsters around. Cheap insurance!