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

[Katy]

As you can see there's lots of differing opinions out there. All I know is what I've been doing for quite a few years has worked well for me. I've raised a lot of ducklings to a healthy adulthood. The only duckling I've ever lost is one that wedged itself in between a concrete block and the side of the pen they were in. I don't hatch my call ducklings......I let the hens set and then when they hatch I take them away.

 

[BeardedChick]

Ok, what I found about medicated feed:

Older feed forumulations could have contained arsenic and sulfa type drugs, and those should not be fed to waterfowl.

Amprolium is safe for ducklings. Last time I checked, the Purina 'medicated' starters only contain amprolium.

I'm going with watercress for my greens, because I can get it out of the creek and that's what the wild ducks feast on this time of year.

 

[Wifezilla]

I use meat bird feed because it gets its protein from pork, not soy. I also give them fresh greens every day plus they forage in the yard. Their favorite occasional treat is dry high-protein, low carbohydrate cat food.

 

[PineBurrowPeeps]

Ok, I have to say that my ducks ADORE the occasional handfull of scattered popcorn and none of them have dropped dead from eating it...

 

[Bullwinkle]

Quote:
Hi UrbanMama

I've ordered some goslings (and almost ordered some ducklings) so here is my understanding so far: Ducklings/goslings don't produce the 'oil' that is necessary to make them waterproof. They can swim alittle, but they are going to get cold quickly since they are not 'water proof' as they would be in the wild (in the wild the oil from their mother would rub off on them/help them, enabling them to be more water repellant). Ducklings not raised with their mothers are missing this aspect and if not careful could become chilled. I will likely let me goslings take very short jaunts in the water, but their time will be very short and they will immediately have access to a nice warm heat bulb incase they get cold.

Bullwinkle

 

[redhen]

alot of info here guys! thanks! i'm thinking i am going to switch my older girls over to flock raiser...with oyster shell as a supplement...as for the ducklings...

i am still confused!

but, i'll figure it out...i hope...

thanks again for ALL the help!

 

[redhen]

Quote:
Hi UrbanMama

I've ordered some goslings (and almost ordered some ducklings) so here is my understanding so far: Ducklings/goslings don't produce the 'oil' that is necessary to make them waterproof. They can swim alittle, but they are going to get cold quickly since they are not 'water proof' as they would be in the wild (in the wild the oil from their mother would rub off on them/help them, enabling them to be more water repellant). Ducklings not raised with their mothers are missing this aspect and if not careful could become chilled. I will likely let me goslings take very short jaunts in the water, but their time will be very short and they will immediately have access to a nice warm heat bulb incase they get cold.

Bullwinkle

Hello...i have heard this also...i think i will wait to let mine swim...i figure they can chill just as easily as chicks in the first week or 2....

 

[redhen]

ooh, BTW i am getting 2 magpie ducks and 1 crested magpie drake, 1 crested blue swedish drake, 1 crested black cayuga drake....i am getting a thing for the crested!

 

[EllyMae]

Quote:
Right now I have a "thing" for geese...is there ANY cure to this madness???

 

[BeardedChick]

Quote:
Cool - I want to see pictures when you have 'em! I have some crested swedish runners inc-ing in the 'bator.