Mazuri Breeder vs. Maintenance

[3bird]

Hi, All.

Our silver Appleyard ducks have just started laying--well at least one has. We are not doing anything to push them to lay this winter (e.g., no supplemental lights), and the temperatures are just starting to fall with first real freezes expected next week. We have been feeding them free choice Mazuri Waterfowl Maintenance all summer and fall, and we are wondering if we should change/supplement their food now that we're starting to see eggs.

SPECS: We have five ducks and two drakes (want to see them?! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUlPSFpsJ1cQS_CvkFOhMAA?). They were hatched last spring. They forage for about three to four hours a day outside their run. We live on the coast of Maine, so outdoor foraging will be slim pickins soon.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[chickens really]

Put out oyster shell in a separate Dish...The Hens will eat what they need....

 

[3bird]

Put out oyster shell in a separate Dish...The Hens will eat what they need....

So we should not give them a breeder or layer feed?

 

[chickens really]

No...I do not feed Ducks layer feed...I feed Duck finisher, Oat and Barley crumble and classic scratch that has less corn..Here people I know use Turkey finisher also..If you can find feed for Ducks I would use that...I'm in Canada and not familiar with American brands..

 

[3bird]

No...I do not feed Ducks layer feed...I feed Duck finisher, Oat and Barley crumble and classic scratch that has less corn..Here people I know use Turkey finisher also..If you can find feed for Ducks I would use that...I'm in Canada and not familiar with American brands..

Thanks. So just out of curiosity, what is the point of a breeder feed? Is it just for the calcium? Mazuri waterfowl foods came very highly recommended by a vet associated with a zoo, and it looks like the make a wf starter, wf maintenance and wf breeder (plus a crane and sea duck food). The breeder's description is as follows: "Mazuri Waterfowl Breeder Diet contains biologically available nutrients to enhance breeding performance, egg numbers, fecundity and chick viability for ornamental waterfowl."

It may be worth noting that on day 3, there were no eggs. On day 4, she dropped one on the way to the pool, and it broke (the shell was super thin). Today, day 5 of laying, there was one on the ground in their run (not the nest where we found the first two), and it is unbroken, but it feels like the shell in thin. The first two shells were nice a strong. We don't know all the eggs are from the same duck.

Anyway, thanks again for the advice. I really appreciate it.

 

[chickens really]

Thanks. So just out of curiosity, what is the point of a breeder feed? Is it just for the calcium? Mazuri waterfowl foods came very highly recommended by a vet associated with a zoo, and it looks like the make a wf starter, wf maintenance and wf breeder (plus a crane and sea duck food). The breeder's description is as follows: "Mazuri Waterfowl Breeder Diet contains biologically available nutrients to enhance breeding performance, egg numbers, fecundity and chick viability for ornamental waterfowl."

It may be worth noting that on day 3, there were no eggs. On day 4, she dropped one on the way to the pool, and it broke (the shell was super thin). Today, day 5 of laying, there was one on the ground in their run (not the nest where we found the first two), and it is unbroken, but it feels like the shell in thin. The first two shells were nice a strong. We don't know all the eggs are from the same duck.

Anyway, thanks again for the advice. I really appreciate it.

Hello...Is it game bird or water fowl feed?
I would use water fowl maintenance and oyster shell in a separate bowl...When Birds start laying the egg machine is a bit wonky..It will get better though..
Your very Welcome.....

 

[3bird]

Hello...Is it game bird or water fowl feed?
I would use water fowl maintenance and oyster shell in a separate bowl...When Birds start laying the egg machine is a bit wonky..It will get better though..
Your very Welcome.....

Thanks again. We'll start the oyster shell.

To answer your question, it's a waterfowl feed. The description for the maintenance feed is "Mazuri Waterfowl Maintenance has been formulated to meet the nutritional needs of the vast majority of non-specialist feeding ornamental waterfowl."

And:

• Contains cereal grain - Provides plant-based energy sources.
• Proper protein level - Designed to maintain health and vigor.
• Balanced nutrition/energy ratio - Aims to help maintain condition.
• Nutritionally complete - Requires no mixing or supplementation.
• Extruded floating pellet diet - Allows for feeding of bird in the water and prevents accumulation on the bottom of the feeding area, limiting water contamination and waste and creating a more natural feeding environment.
• Sustainable fishmeal source used.

Guaranteed Analysis

• Crude protein not less than
• Crude fat not less than
• Crude fiber not more than 14.0%
• 3.0%
• 4.5%

 

[Iain Utah]

I also use mazuri maintenance, and set out crushed oyster shell for the girls. I also give the girls lots of egg shells, which they prefer over the oyster shell.

If I had an all female flock, I'd use breeder.

 

[chickens really]

Thanks again. We'll start the oyster shell.

To answer your question, it's a waterfowl feed. The description for the maintenance feed is "Mazuri Waterfowl Maintenance has been formulated to meet the nutritional needs of the vast majority of non-specialist feeding ornamental waterfowl."

And:

• Contains cereal grain - Provides plant-based energy sources.
• Proper protein level - Designed to maintain health and vigor.
• Balanced nutrition/energy ratio - Aims to help maintain condition.
• Nutritionally complete - Requires no mixing or supplementation.
• Extruded floating pellet diet - Allows for feeding of bird in the water and prevents accumulation on the bottom of the feeding area, limiting water contamination and waste and creating a more natural feeding environment.
• Sustainable fishmeal source used.

Guaranteed Analysis

• Crude protein not less than
• Crude fat not less than
• Crude fiber not more than 14.0%
• 3.0%
• 4.5%

Sounds good to me....

 

[3bird]

I also use mazuri maintenance, and set out crushed oyster shell for the girls. I also give the girls lots of egg shells, which they prefer over the oyster shell.

If I had an all female flock, I'd use breeder.

Great! Thanks. We have 5 ducks and 2 drakes. Do you give them just duck egg shells or any egg shells? Do you crush them? Wash them?

Thanks again!