Ways to cut protein percentage down in feed for ducklings -

[NCFF]

Thanks I will play around with that. I am new to ducks and geese also. Have been into chickens for a few years. Keeping my favorite Hens , but the rooster will be going to new home with a friend of mine to be used for breeding w/ the best gray hen. I think Ducks are the way to go. Am egg laying and I think the Drakes will be more quiet than a crowing rooster.

 

[Wynette]

NCFF, what is that breed in your avatar? He looks very similar to my silver penciled rock - is that Dorking?

 

[NCFF]

Yes, he is a Silver Gray Dorking, and that is a SG hen behind him. He is such a good Rooster, very nice temperament, Easy to handle.
He was out of last years hatch. I hate to see him go, but I know he is going to a good home, with other SG Dorkings. I am going to keep the breed, but only hens.

 

[Oregon Blues]

I cut protein when I see the very first sign of flight feathers on the wings. At that point, I would be feeding just the 16% waterfowl feed, and I would be making sure the ducklings got exercise for their wings and some sunshine for some vitamin D..

 

[Wynette]

I cut protein when I see the very first sign of flight feathers on the wings. At that point, I would be feeding just the 16% waterfowl feed, and I would be making sure the ducklings got exercise for their wings and some sunshine for some vitamin D..

I still haven't seen any flight feathers coming in - their wings look tiny to me, in comparison to their bodies. Boy, do they ever grow fast! But, I can feel feathers coming in along their backs, so I'm sure it won't be much longer for feathers on my gals.

Oregon, I still have mine in a brooder and DH and I have been discussing a way to get them outdoors - their pen is not quite ready for them. I was planning on moving them to their new pen this weekend, but if we cannot get that done, is a few hours per day sufficient? I work during the day, so definitely don't want them ranging when I'm not home to watch over them.

 

[NCFF]

I found this available locally. What do you think about his and start feeding this at what age?http://www.baraleinc.com/products/poultry/product-info/Duck Grower.pdf

 

[NCFF]

I need to buy feed this weekend. Should i switch to this now. I like that they are a local company. Price is not too abd 17.50 for 50lb bag. But I am still at 20%. Same feed store also has Rolled Oats.

 

[ChristineR]

Here's a handy little feed calculator on Metzer Farm's website.

http://www.metzerfarms.com/FeedConversion.cfm?CustID=630810

You just plug in the protein contents of the two feeds you want to mix and it will give you your mix ratio.

 

[Wynette]

Hey, Christine - yep, that was posted already, thanks though!

NCFF - I see they also product a "16% high energy pellet" or something like that? That sounds like what I have my ducklings on now, and they are 4 weeks now. I switched them at 3 weeks to that from a duck starter. The problem with too much protein, as I understand it, is that it can cause deformities such as angel wing. From what I have read, you can't go wrong with offering a bit less protein - it slows down their growth a bit, which prevents the growth issues commonly associated with leaving them on starter for too long. Hopefully, others that know much more than me will chime in.

 

[ChristineR]

Hey, Christine - yep, that was posted already, thanks though!

NCFF - I see they also product a "16% high energy pellet" or something like that? That sounds like what I have my ducklings on now, and they are 4 weeks now. I switched them at 3 weeks to that from a duck starter. The problem with too much protein, as I understand it, is that it can cause deformities such as angel wing. From what I have read, you can't go wrong with offering a bit less protein - it slows down their growth a bit, which prevents the growth issues commonly associated with leaving them on starter for too long. Hopefully, others that know much more than me will chime in.

Ah, yes - I see that now. Sorry, I tend to scan through things and miss details.

I agree with you about the protein. I think after 3 or 4 weeks, I would err on the side of too low protein vs too high... That's just my opinion, mostly from what I've read, though. I haven't really heard many warning about what can happen if you have too low protein - just too high. I haven't raised huge quantities of ducklings like some of the BYCers, though.