Need help deciphering feed tag!

[foxandhenhouse]

We went to several feed stores today to purchase grower for our 6 wk old ducks and chickens. I was looking for ~15% protein but was only able to find something that marketed itself as “phase II layer” which has significantly higher calcium (3-4%) than most of the growers I saw (which all had protein levels of 20% and calcium closer to 1%). Is this safe for the next 12 weeks until I switch over to a purposeful layer feed?

I’m scrambling trying to figure this out and I don’t want to spark laying too early.

Thanks for your advice!

 

[21hens-incharge]

I feed a 20% protein starter feed right up until everyone is laying.

Personally I would never feed below 16%.

You won't spark premature laying by feeding higher protein.
Those babies are still growing they actually NEED the higher protein.

They DON'T need higher calcium yet.

 

[foxandhenhouse]

I feed a 20% protein starter feed right up until everyone is laying.

Personally I would never feed below 16%.

You won't spark premature laying by feeding higher protein.
Those babies are still growing they actually NEED the higher protein.

They DON'T need higher calcium yet.

Ducklings do need a step down in protein for healthy development. I’ve been cutting their feed with rolled oats to achieve 18% protein since week three, and now they are ready to step to 15-16%. I’m confident that the protein level of what I got is appropriate but was hoping someone could speak specifically to the calcium level in what I was able to find.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Ducklings do need a step down in protein for healthy development. I’ve been cutting their feed with rolled oats to achieve 18% protein since week three, and now they are ready to step to 15-16%. I’m confident that the protein level of what I got is appropriate but was hoping someone could speak specifically to the calcium level in what I was able to find.

My bad. I only saw the chickens part.

Maybe @Jpat or @DuckLady can pop in to help.

 

[foxandhenhouse]

Thanks! I would like to feed the same to both the ducks and chickens so... fingers crossed.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I did see that @WVduckchick is online. Maybe she will pop in.

 

[Percheron chick]

Ducklings and goslings have very similar feeding requirements. With ducklings, the recommendation is to drop protein to 15% and maintain Ca at .8% at 2 weeks while goslings have identical requirements but dropped at 4 weeks. I start my goslings on regular 20% chick crumbles. At about 1 week I introduce grass alfalfa hay ( typically in the 15% protein range). For the second bag of feed, i splurge and buy a bag of Mazuri Waterfowl Maintenance ($45/50#). It's the only product on the market that has the correct nutritional analysis to be fed as is. It is a Land O'Lakes product so any Purina dealer can special order it for you. In a pinch, I'll mix 50/50 chick crumbles and wheat. Perfect 15% protein but vitamins and minerals get slightly out of whack so I add a little Rooster Booster ( any quality poultry vitamin). They also get regular grazing time.
I would not be feeding the layer at this point. Keep them on the chick starter and cut it with oats or wheat. If you're adding green vegetables to their ration, you've already dropped the protein content a few points and you could be at an ideal level already.

 

[Kiki]

We went to several feed stores today to purchase grower for our 6 wk old ducks and chickens. I was looking for ~15% protein but was only able to find something that marketed itself as “phase II layer” which has significantly higher calcium (3-4%) than most of the growers I saw (which all had protein levels of 20% and calcium closer to 1%). Is this safe for the next 12 weeks until I switch over to a purposeful layer feed?

I’m scrambling trying to figure this out and I don’t want to spark laying too early.

Thanks for your advice!

Who makes this feed?
What is the brand name of it?

 

[Kiki]

3-4% calcium is too high for 6 week olds.

 

[WVduckchick]

I use Purina Flock Raiser for all my youngsters until they lay.

I have fed layer feed to young ones in a pinch. It won’t necessarily hurt them a time or two, but I prefer not to give them that much calcium early on.

Ducklings might need niacin supplements if the feed doesn’t contain enough, but that’s easy to add on.