What do you feed your ducks?

[BRACE.DUCKS]

I've done quite a bit of research into feed to try and come up with the best possible feed I can afford. I've thought about just trying to get a breeder feed (either gamebird or waterfowl) but most of them are up there in price. I have been leaning more towards mixing my own with getting a good base Starter/grower and adding farmers helper ultra kibble. Any input would be appreciated

Background on my flock- I mainly raise Dutch Hookbills whom are a critically endangered breed. My ducks are breeders and am trying to give each duck & duckling the best possible chance of thriving.

 

[chickens really]

I've done quite a bit of research into feed to try and come up with the best possible feed I can afford. I've thought about just trying to get a breeder feed (either gamebird or waterfowl) but most of them are up there in price. I have been leaning more towards mixing my own with getting a good base Starter/grower and adding farmers helper ultra kibble. Any input would be appreciated

Background on my flock- I mainly raise Dutch Hookbills whom are a critically endangered breed. My ducks are breeders and am trying to give each duck & duckling the best possible chance of thriving.

I feed an all flock now because I can't find Duck feed here anymore. It's a grower/ finisher feed. I cut it with scratch, cracked wheat, wild birdseed at different days of the week. Plus add in fresh veggies. When Hens are laying I supply Oyster shell separated.

 

[Helloworld]

Are they on pasture or penned? I pasture mine on a pond and pen at night. They are weeders and bug/amphibian eaters so we stay as close to nature as possible. If mine are pulled for an extended time, we go to the bait store for minnows and bugs and also supplement with Purina Layena. We add a small amount of scratch for heat on cold nights under freezing.

 

[casportpony]

I've done quite a bit of research into feed to try and come up with the best possible feed I can afford. I've thought about just trying to get a breeder feed (either gamebird or waterfowl) but most of them are up there in price. I have been leaning more towards mixing my own with getting a good base Starter/grower and adding farmers helper ultra kibble. Any input would be appreciated

Background on my flock- I mainly raise Dutch Hookbills whom are a critically endangered breed. My ducks are breeders and am trying to give each duck & duckling the best possible chance of thriving.

Since you are raising a critically endangered breed, why not spend the extra $$$ and get some Mazuri for them? Improperly mixed/made homemade concoctions could lead to all kinds of health issues. If you can't afford it and decide to make your own, try to make your feed as close to the Mazuri as possible:
https://www.mazuri.com/ccrz__Produc...re=&cclcl=en_US&categoryId=a1ef100000AnXfTAAV

 

[BRACE.DUCKS]

Are they on pasture or penned? I pasture mine on a pond and pen at night. They are weeders and bug/amphibian eaters so we stay as close to nature as possible. If mine are pulled for an extended time, we go to the bait store for minnows and bugs and also supplement with Purina Layena. We add a small amount of scratch for heat on cold nights under freezing.

They are penned. Occasionally I am able to let them free range my yard for a little while. I try to give them as much greens & dried bugs I can. I was wanting a feed or supplement to the feed some kind of meat in it. I was leaning more towards the farmers helper for the meat if the feed doesn't have it.

 

[Helloworld]

Meat?

 

[casportpony]

I was leaning more towards the farmers helper for the meat if the feed doesn't have it.

That's a great supplement, lots of peafowl breeders and zoos use it.

 

[BRACE.DUCKS]

Since you are raising a critically endangered breed, why not spend the extra $$$ and get some Mazuri for them? Improperly mixed/made homemade concoctions could lead to all kinds of health issues. If you can't afford it and decide to make your own, try to make your feed as close to the Mazuri as possible:
https://www.mazuri.com/ccrz__Produc...re=&cclcl=en_US&categoryId=a1ef100000AnXfTAAV

That's what I was actually trying to base my feed off of. As I feel as a bagged food it's the best thing to what they need. I was hoping I could get around $25 or so a 40-50ib bag the mazuri breeder doesn't go under about $40 or so I believe. I'm not sure how much they would go through. Right now a 50 in bag last about 2 weeks. I wouldn't be feeding it to my laying chickens so I would have less birds on it.

 

[chickens really]

What were They being fed by the breeder?

 

[BRACE.DUCKS]

Helloworld-
Yes, the feed either needs to contain meat or I will be supplementing the meat in. The farmers helper has salmon meal & fish meal. Mazuri waterfowl breeder has fish meal.

Chickens really -
Honestly I do not know. I got the orignals from Holderread as adults. I have read his book on what to feed them. Basically make sure it has meat in it. Higher vitamins & minerals. Make your own or get a waterfowl or gamebird breeder.