Title Edit: Duck Feed Nutrition Comparisons

[littlecollier]

Editing for future reference: See below for a lively conversation about ingredient and nutritional value comparisons between flock and duck feeds.

We recently lost one of our original ducklings and are left with a three week old and two one week olds sharing the same brooder.

I was told to transition to lower protein (by mixing in a portion of rolled oats into the starter crumble) at three weeks to avoid growing too quickly. Here’s my question:

How do I transition one of three ducklings to different protein? I don’t want to change the main food because the two younger ducklings need the higher protein to grow.

Has anyone else faced this issue? What was your solution? Any suggestions and advice welcomed!

Thanks in advance!

 

[chickens really]

What do you feed?...

 

[Miss Lydia]

Purina Flock Raiser crumble for all poultry all stages of growth

 

[littlecollier]

We are feeding this:

http://www.baraleinc.com/index.php/products/organic-feeds/item/98-organic-20-chick-starter-crumble

 

[chickens really]

Ducks are not Chickens so require Duckling feed..Look for a feed formulated for Ducks too..

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

@littlecollier what were you planning to transition to? Who said 3 weeks was the transition age?
I would go with an all flock feed or a duck feed of some sort. I use flock raiser and cut it with cracked corn at 7 weeks plus they get their veggies almost daily.
I use an all flock feed so that I don't have to feed my chickens something different.
You can try Nutrena all flock which has 18% protein if you are worried or something like manna pro. But, technically not even the scientist can agree as to what causes angel wing. If it happens, just wrap it. I have read and seen on byc it happening to all breeds of ducks being fed different feeds with different protein contents.
Metzer has a good chart and feed calculator for adding other grains to cut down on the protein. Let me know if you need help finding it.

 

[chickens really]

@littlecollier what were you planning to transition to? Who said 3 weeks was the transition age?
I would go with an all flock feed or a duck feed of some sort. I use flock raiser and cut it with cracked corn at 7 weeks plus they get their veggies almost daily.
I use an all flock feed so that I don't have to feed my chickens something different.
You can try Nutrena all flock which has 18% protein if you are worried or something like manna pro. But, technically not even the scientist can agree as to what causes angel wing. If it happens, just wrap it. I have read and seen on byc it happening to all breeds of ducks being fed different feeds with different protein contents.
Metzer has a good chart and feed calculator for adding other grains to cut down on the protein. Let me know if you need help finding it.

Here it is if feeding Duck feed..I do and transition to a Grower till 8 weeks and then finisher Duck feed..

 

[littlecollier]

@Soon2BChixMom I was just going to cut the current food with rolled oats. The woman I got the ducklings from who breeds Anconas and heritage chickens was the one who sold me the food and recommended cutting it with oats to lower the protein percentage at 3 weeks.

 

[littlecollier]

@Soon2BChixMom - Can you send me the Metzers link? I consulted it earlier this week but can’t seem to find it now!

 

[Miss Lydia]

That would be fine to do also if you want to stay with a NONGMO feed cut with the reg not quick cooking oats. I bought Organic rolled oats in bulk off of Amazon.