waterfowl feed

[DuckyBoys]

Quote:
I'd stick with the Flock Raiser - it is a starter feed. Mine were all grown up when I switched to Game Bird because they don't have a starter at my store.

 

[MissPrissy]

Gamebird feed they can have as babies. Puirna sunfresh starter crumbles with some brewers yeast will work for ducklings too. Also blueseal makes a Homefresh formula for poultry that you can feed too. Do not give them medicated feeds. Ducks and geese don't get cocci and such like chickens do.

Also, chop some lettuce in tiny bits, spinach, green grass, etc and float it ib a dish of water. They will gobble it up. Don't give it to them until at least an hour after eating thier crumbles.

 

[Katy]

Quote:
Hate to disagree with you MP, but ducks and geese can and will get cocci too. I start all my ducklings out on Purina start and grow that is "medicated" with amprolium. I've raised many ducklings over the years on it with no problems.

 

[MissPrissy]

We have agreed to disagree on the medicted feeds.

 

[Katy]

 

[BethinIrving]

Amprolium was an issue, a serious issue actually, for me at one time because in addition to my hens, I also got two geese.

I spoke with the Purina people and they were vague. Then I ran across geese and duck people who have fed their birds feed containing amprolium from the get-go. Then a University guy said that's all they feed their geese and ducks and have never had any problems. However, bill deformaties have been reported somewhere at sometime, but darned if the research isn't available.

Amprolium is in chick starter crumbles. Those crumbles, I also discovered, are recommended for ducks and geese by some authorities.

So, it's a confusing mess of contradictions.

The greater harm to our birds, in my opinion, would likely come from contamination of feed components that were made in foreign countries.

I don't feed straight crumbles to my goose. I mix it in with the corn. My goose likes the crumbles. The hens, however, hate it.

 

[vfem]

I'm going to go to the feed store tomorrow if my ducklings hatch today... I will look at their purina list of starter foods, and if they have nothing I may just mix the flock food with the rest of my chick starter (its unmedictaed).

 

[MissPrissy]

Unmedicated flock raiser is in pellet form. You'll have to crush it or put it in the blender to break it up to start with.

Mine LOVED it with yogurt, greens, a drizzle of honey and anything else vegetable and fresh I could blend up into a duckfast/goosefast smoothie.

 

[Cottage Rose]

If you have access to Purina Feeds your feed dealer should be able to order Purina Duck Grower pellets for you. My ducklings and goslings wolf it down.
Hubbard Feeds also have a waterfowl formula.
www.homesteadfeeds.com

 

[greyfields]

Quote:
Except that many are using the Sun Fresh Layena which is also vegetarian.

The Flock Raiser is not a complete ration for ducks or geese and they should get niacin supplements. We use brewer's yeast. Not implying you're having problems becasue of it, just wanted to point out that it's not a complete ration, even though they show geese and ducks on the feed bag.