what should geese/ducks be fed?

[NeverEnough]

The feathers of the geese and ducks seems shaggy/broken (can't think of a good description) and not as much sheen as last year. They aren't sick and they act normal, but just don't seem as 'pretty' as last year this time... They have water to swim in a few times a week. 4-H show time is in a month and they are definitely not looking they're best and will not go probably. I had been feeding them layer crumbles w/ small amount Calf Manna added but have just heard they shouldn't have high protein or calcium. Any suggestions appreciated.

 

[Windchyme]

Quote:
Could they still be in molt? I know all my birds are looking ragged about now from molting. Don't worry about the protien on ducks. Young ducks in the wild run around eating protien all day long- frogs, bugs, fish, green grasses and weeds, the advice that you have to so strictly control their protien is almost ludicrous and possibly damaging to them. I have heard that too much calcium will interfere with absorbtion of other vitamins and if they are not laying (which they shouldn't be about now) they should not be getting layer feed. You could have a vitamin deficiency due to too much calcium going on. A straight on start to finish all flock formula of about 18% protien should do them fine. If you like you could cut that with a little oats in some form and wheat (my ducks love the wheat and rabbit food). I have fed my ducks on this for years with one problem with drooping wings and I have bred at least 100 babies in those several years.