What Do You Feed?

[mominoz]

I get a layer from a mill, also I buy an alphalfa/oat horse pellet, calf manna, wild bird mix seed, and cat kibble and give a mix of this. (plus green stuff) ONCE I saw A bag of Mazuri Waterfowl at TS in another town and they wanted 60.00$ for the bag.

A month or so later I saw it and it had tape on it and I asked what they'd let it go for...and they said 39.00$ I pay 8.50 for the layer and the alphalfa/oat pellet. Calf Manna is pricey, but i give just a little...also for my horses.

 

[destinduck]

Do any of you show your birds? Is the condition your birds are in satisfactory?

I personally dont show. But I have friends that have..I also will say unfortunately there is no magic food to help with showing which sounds more of what you wanted to know. My birds are in excellant condition. Im blessed to say.Heres some tips if you dont know them already. Try to always comform to the breed standards for your type ducks. Keep them in a clean pen thats dry and not muddy so they dont get all dirty. Prior to taking them to the show be extra careful not to damage their feathers while catching and unloading. All shows are different of course.Sometimes all it takes to win is a type of duck the judges havent seen. For our area an exotic or migratory duck will win, place, or show everytime. Thats what i raise. But you have to go by what you raise.Try to see and ask what wins in your area. Anyone else want to give this fine young man some pointers so he can win a show ! C, mon yall help him out!!!

 

[ChristineR]

I don't show mine--they're just pets, which is why I feed the Mazuri. I want them to live a long time. I'm not interested in egg or meat production. They are healthy and look good, though. Egg shells are always nice and hard, too.

I have to agree with what the above poster said, too. Keeping them clean is key to keeping them looking nice. Mine are on fresh grass all the time, so they stay very clean and their feathers are smooth without any fraying or raggedy ends. Even my Pekin (before he got eaten by an eagle) always looked nice and clean.

 

[chicken_boy_Kurt]

I personally dont show. But I have friends that have..I also will say unfortunately there is no magic food to help with showing which sounds more of what you wanted to know. My birds are in excellant condition. Im blessed to say.Heres some tips if you dont know them already. Try to always comform to the breed standards for your type ducks. Keep them in a clean pen thats dry and not muddy so they dont get all dirty. Prior to taking them to the show be extra careful not to damage their feathers while catching and unloading. All shows are different of course.Sometimes all it takes to win is a type of duck the judges havent seen. For our area an exotic or migratory duck will win, place, or show everytime. Thats what i raise. But you have to go by what you raise.Try to see and ask what wins in your area. Anyone else want to give this fine young man some pointers so he can win a show ! C, mon yall help him out!!!

Oh, I know there's no magic food. I just wanted to make sure because I was feeding Purina Show to my rabbits and the results were less than desirable, so I wanted to make sure the Purina Layena is fine for birds.

Thanks everyone.

 

[Wynette]

I'm planning on feeding Kent brand All Flock (similar to Purina's Flock Raiser) when my ducks are mature; I prefer Kent over Purina, but I know you need to use what is available in your area.

Sounds like no one supplements with calcium? Would I need to if I do not feed many greens?

Also, I'm looking into the Mazuri mentioned, to use as Starter for my ducklings when they arrive. I'm not being able to find online how long they recommend leaving them on Starter - advice?

In my local Family Farm & Home, they carry a locally made brand - see here: http://armadagrain.com/Poultry.html - I see that they DO make a "poultry and duck starter" that is 24% protein, as well as a 16% "duck and goose pellet" - do these percentages seen right?

 

[Miss Lydia]

I'm planning on feeding Kent brand All Flock (similar to Purina's Flock Raiser) when my ducks are mature; I prefer Kent over Purina, but I know you need to use what is available in your area.

Sounds like no one supplements with calcium? Would I need to if I do not feed many greens?

Also, I'm looking into the Mazuri mentioned, to use as Starter for my ducklings when they arrive. I'm not being able to find online how long they recommend leaving them on Starter - advice?

In my local Family Farm & Home, they carry a locally made brand - see here: http://armadagrain.com/Poultry.html - I see that they DO make a "poultry and duck starter" that is 24% protein, as well as a 16% "duck and goose pellet" - do these percentages seen right?

They don't need the calcium until they are starting to lay. thats why we always tell folks not to feed layer to ducklings. And if I could get it I would feed the brand made for poultry and ducks and the % look good.

 

[destinduck]

I'm planning on feeding Kent brand All Flock (similar to Purina's Flock Raiser) when my ducks are mature; I prefer Kent over Purina, but I know you need to use what is available in your area.

Sounds like no one supplements with calcium? Would I need to if I do not feed many greens?

Also, I'm looking into the Mazuri mentioned, to use as Starter for my ducklings when they arrive. I'm not being able to find online how long they recommend leaving them on Starter - advice?

In my local Family Farm & Home, they carry a locally made brand - see here: http://armadagrain.com/Poultry.html - I see that they DO make a "poultry and duck starter" that is 24% protein, as well as a 16% "duck and goose pellet" - do these percentages seen right?

Most the calcium needed is already incorperated in the feed. I would add calcium(oyster shells) if they are laying soft shelled eggs. I keep them on starter till the wing feathers start to emerge .Then put them on chicken layer pellet. And yes those% seem right.

 

[Going Quackers]

I use Purina feeds and free choice oyster shell, plus mine all free range.. i don't show, but do have two that could.. they look fabulous! so it's working for my flock.. i think as with anything watch your animals you'll know if the feed is working for them or not.

 

[BarneyChick97]

I do not show my ducks. The only reason I wanted some ducks, was to control our slug population. I used to keep them cooped up all the time, and bring them bugs, and only gave them food. They didn't seem to interested in that. So we just let them free range. I have a large dog bowl of food in their pen (where it's dry), and I might have to fill it up every 3-4 days. It's just Flock Raiser. I don't supply them with any other calcium supplement. They really seem to enjoy being free range. The hen just started laying, and so far I have 6 eggs; all very hard shells. The only scraps I've given them are greens, tomatoes, apples, and carrots. They don't get them that often. They look healthy to me! (see picture)