Pellet Feed

[briarpatchfarms]

For waterfowl pellets is easier for them to swallow and less is wasted! Another thing too waterfowl ten to fill up faster eating pellets! Waterfowl can't fully swallow there food with water, when waterfowl eat crumbles an over stuff themselves at one time then take a drink; Alot of times they choke! I only feed crumbles the first two months then switch to pellets till 6 months old then they get switched to Mazuri waterfowl pellets which is a float pOnd pellet almost like cat food that is the size of a BB. Of course you wouldn't want to feed Mazuri due to price($29 to $39for 50 pound) but it last twice as long it keeps them full longer! Pellets should runthe same price as crumble and most feed stores carry or can order pellets!

 

[msdoolittle]

Frankly, I think crumbles are a waste of money. I have found that a lot of it just goes to waste since some of the 'crumbles' are nothing more than dust. And I've been through a LOT of feed :0) Also, in the case of my chickens, they choke on them because they get a big mouthful and try and swallow it all down rather than peck out a piece or two at a time. In my experience, my birds waste crumbles and so I switch them to pellets ASAP.

I have fed my ducks both Purina Layer pellet and the Purina Flockraiser. I also feed scratch grains. If I did have a local mill, I would look into that for sure. I find that these pellets in addition to their foraging produce lovely eggs with good thick shells. I have tried a smaller mill's product and the yolks turned pale yellow and the shells became very brittle. You have to shop around sometimes.

I know the 'smell' that you are talking about. I think that it has to do with the corn in the formula getting wet. I say this because when I used pellets for my parrots (which are mostly corn :0( ) when they got dunked into the water dish, they had this terrible sweet-corny smell that made you want to barf. I had some pellets get wet the other day, and the smell is very similar when they break down into a lumpy mess. Gross, and I can totally relate!

 

[StevenW.]

Maybe I should just call the feed store and ask or just go there and see if I cant special order the pellet feed cause I know they have to have it at the feed store.

Thanks everyone

 

[NYRIR]

Quote:
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[Ms.Chunkybutt]

so this may be a dumb question but do you just pour the pellets into the food bowl and leave it.. I guess it always seemed to big for them to eat so I worried the would choke.. I am all for less mess that I get with crumbles and yes the smell when it gets wet it really sickly sweet..

by the way I have three 1 yr old pekins, all female and 2 6 week old runners, I am sure I have one girl as she has been literally quacking loud since week 2 it seems and the other just chirped and now has a very raspy voice so I am guessing a boy.. Oh and he whistles for me, which seems strange but too cute.. anyway.. can I start the babies on pellets now or should I wait a bit longer..

Thanks for you help
Toni