Small batch duck starter feed.

[Kayducks]

Hey y'all,

Just wanted to introduce myself. I have two two-week old Indian Runner ducklings. Both ladies. I am totally smitten by them. Will take any and all advice.

I did end up purchasing 25lbs of waterfowl starter feed from Mazuri. I didn't want to mis-measure brewer's yeast and ruin them forever. My girls are almost three weeks, and will be switching to grower feed. Which means, I have a ton of leftover starter feed; we've barely made a dent in it. I've bagged it up into approx. 3lb portions and am selling it on eBay.

If anyone is interested, you can look at it there, or respond to this thread and we can figure it out some other way.

ALSO, most important, can anyone please help me find a small batch of grower feed. I'm only looking for ten pounds maximum.

Thank you so much!

 

[rjohns39]

Hi and welcome to BYC We're so happy you've joined us.

What's the protein content of your starter, likely you can use some of it to make your grower.

 

[Sara Ranch]

Back in the days when I did dry feed, I would mix the starter feed with the next level feed until it was all gone.

Now I make fermented feed and it doesn't matter.

Ducks need a LOT of protein. A. LOT.

What's the protein content you have in the starter feed?

 

[rjohns39]

After looking at the label, its a 20% protein feed ration. I start my ducks on 24% friends of my start with 28%. That said, you would be more than safe to continue them on this feed for another 5 weeks. I put mine on 24% for 3 weeks, then move them to pasture with an 18% for 5 more weeks, then transition them to a 16%.

If you want I can help you figure out how to modify it to an 18% or so. Can you get small quantities of cracked corn, roasted sunflower seeds (unsalted), and/or alfalfa meal?

 

[Kayducks]

Wow! Y'all are so wonderfully helpful.

And yes, I have access to all of those things. I would really appreciate the help. I'd love to save as much scratch as possible on feed.

Also, what is this about fermented feed? Would somebody be willing to post more information on that?

 

[chickens really]

@Pyxis

 

[rjohns39]

This is a bit rough due to small quantity--but here goes
1lb of your feed
1 TBS Alfalfa
3 TBS Cracked Corn
1 TBS Sunflower Seed (put them in a bag and break them up or use a food processor)
That should get you to about 18.6%

 

[Miss Lydia]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...ter-easy-fermented-feed-method-w-video.65375/

Just cut down the portions for your 2 littles.