Stoopid food question

[Amiga]

Hi, Priss,

I am new to this forum, and at the research stage myself, but I have been reading up on duck nutrition (plan to order my Indian runners tomorrow

Anyway, my favorite source for nutrition information is Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks by David Holderread. He points out that grains are a fine part of a duck's diet, but they don't provide all the nutrition needed. There are pages and pages of information about sources of nutrition, types of purchased feed, and so forth. If you can get your hands on a copy of this, I recommend it.

From what I have seen you post, it looks like you are doing pretty well, since nutritional deficiencies show up in ducks' health and yours seem fine. I wonder, though, if their diet was a little low on protein before you got the pellets. Short term that may not be too bad, but adult ducks need the right amount of protein in their diet, from purchased feed, powdered milk added to feed, insects, or some other source.

Growing ducks (weeks three through eight) are recommended to receive about fifteen percent protein, developing about thirteen percent, and maintenance about twelve percent. As I mentioned, there is so much information, such as when ducks need more calcium and how much is too much.

As concerned as you are, I think you and the ducks will be fine, since you seem to avoid taking anything for granted.

 

[priss]

They don't get spinach too often, only when we have it, so around three/four times a month. It sucks the calcium out of humans too so I'm always careful with it. I didn't know about the beetroot, is that just the leaves or is it the actual beetroot too? Thank you for all your help, I'll look into protein too. When you say powdered milk, you mean like human powdered milk? Not milk from humans lol but like cows powdered milk that humans eat? Or babymilk?
I think it'd be about impossible to take any little duck for granted, they are just the most wonderful little people. My three are the sweetest, funniest, snoogliest little things I ever met. I am out in that garden rain, snow, hail every twenty odd minutes lol. And every twenty minutes when I come out they act like they haven't seen me all year lol. They come arunnin!! They are my angels. Don't ever want to screw up for them.

 

[Amiga]

Milk (the kind humans drink, and I reckon that could be cow or goat) is listed as a good "complete" food to help round out home-mixed rations. I think I pictured powdered milk because that keeps pretty well (in my pantry), so that is what I see myself providing to them from time to time. The recommendation is to work liquid milk into dry rations, because pans of milk become sticky messes everywhere and increase the risk of eye infections. Since milk contains calcium, that might be a nice treat for laying ducks. Holderread emphasizes balance and feed rations appropriate to the life stage of the duck.

 

[priss]

Great, I'll try it, thank you. xx
Have just given them some red cabbage for the first time. It went down pretty well!

 

[Duck_feeder]

Quote:
The root has oxalate but nowhere near the levels that the leaves have. The roots should be perfectly safe for people and ducks as long as they don't have kidney stone problems (one type of kidney stones is made of calcium oxalate). Of course, like any food moderation is always the best course of action!

I'd be careful with dairy products and ducks. All ducks are lactose intolerant. They do not have the necessary chemicals to break down lactose. A small amount shouldn't pose a problem, but be careful with how much you give them or they cant suffer from some really bad bloating.

Similarly, you need to be careful with beans. Soaking and slow cooking beans will break down a good amount of the raffinose (very similar to lactose chemically) that is responsible for the gas formation. Beans from cans are notoriously bad for causing flatulence so I personally only use dried beans I cooked myself (rinse, soak 2 hours, rinse, soak two hours, rinse, cook for at least an hour...)

 

[priss]

Loool, I'll be careful. Don't need my ducks to be any fartier!!!

 

[2dancingrats]

Thanks for the tip about lactose. My ducks won't touch it, but one of my geese absolutley loves cheese.