Still confused...What feed should my ducks be on?

[MissPrissy]

Under 2 hours from Williamsburg I think.

 

[jvls1942]

Quote:
You dunno?? what?...

I have bought goslings and adults.

a lot of times adults are sold because the people cannot tolerate them any more..

If you want a tame one, get a gosling and hand raise it.. any breed will work..

many of the adults I bought were flock geese.. not wild particularly, but not tame enough to get within 15 feet of.. the three I have raised from eggs are tame enough for me to step over them.. I like that in an animal, any kind..

when I am out and about in the yard, I always purposely walk as close to any bird in my path as I can without making it move.. they eventually get more and more used to you and soon you will be stepping over them..

and it is a well known law with visitors that no one chases any of the birds.. It is gratifying to see the veteran kids getting on a newcomer who tries chasing..

 

[EllyMae]

That's really sweet of you MissPrissy. I found out today that there is a sale barn in the city closest to me...so I am going to check that out. It's an auction that is held every Thursday and it includes poultry and other fowl. I thought it was just a cattle sale barn. Soooo, I will check that out and let you know if I come up with any geese.
And thank you jvls1942 for the great info!

 

[LilbitChicken]

This is crazy!!

So many views, I am curious as to the best for my ducks.....
I will keep reading!

 

[redhen]

LOL..I'm still confused also...

 

[Chick_a_dee]

Purina, at least in Canada, makes a duck food. It's 20% protein, and then you go down to 18% after 4 weeks of age. I can't for the life of me find 15% LOL so my ducks are on a "diet" until there is no more risk of angel wing. I'd say feed a starter/grower, unmedicated, 20%-ish for the first 4 weeks of life, then move down to a 15% if you can get it and feed greens. Or if you can't, feed more greens than feed?

 

[10ducks]

Someone said that you shouldn't feed potatoes to ducks. That's raw potatoes. Cooked potatoes are fine, in fact, The Duck Handbook (Raethel & Mancini) states that "Potatoes probably play one of the most important roles in the diets of ducks." They recommend boiled chopped potatoes. I've heard seen the "no seeds" rule quite a few times, but I've also seen sunflower seeds recommended as a great protein-rich food for ducks.

Remember that preformulated feeds are intended to be fed as a sole ration; must of us actually give all sorts of supplements and treats and often let our ducks free range. If my son has been out collecting earthworms after a good rain, the ducks get a very high-protein treat, and the percentage of protein in their diet is high that day. The next, they might eat a lot of greens (low protein but lots of vitamins), and then they might eat mostly the commercial feed the next day. I use Purina Sunfresh Flock Raiser as a basic ration up until laying age--I figure Purina has a big research budget and will get it mostly right. I try to give them lots of different fruits and vegetables from the kitchen. Then I just try to give them a lot of opportunities to forage in different areas: pastures, pond, edge of the woods. I will switch to Purina Layena when they reach laying age, so they have the extra calcium they will need.

 

[KimberlyDonohue]

I feed my cayuga's (3) and magpies (2, one is crested) Duck & Goose pellets that I order from a feed store and have to have flown in.

Where do you order from? I’m worried about what I’m giving my two. Blue seal multi-flock. Is that ok??

 

[Crazy Maizie]

Where do you order from? I’m worried about what I’m giving my two. Blue seal multi-flock. Is that ok??

I dont think that person has been on byc for awhile. A multi-flock feed is generally fine. If laying, provide extra calcium (oyster shell) in a separate dish.