Question on proper protein for ducklings

[GracePoultry]

Getting my first ducklings soon, what should the protein percentage be when they first hatch and how should it change as they grow.
What ways can I lower the protein percentage in their feed?
I plan on giving this chick starter with brewers yeast

This feed has 18% protein.
Thanks!

 

[AGeese]

Congrats! I just cheat and buy feed for ducklings.

 

[AGeese]

Wait I don't have ducklings.

 

[GracePoultry]

Congrats! I just cheat and buy feed for ducklings.

My local feed store only carries adult duck food : (

Wait I don't have ducklings.

 

[AGeese]

What kind of feed store is this? They better get on the horn now and get some duckling feed in!

 

[GracePoultry]

What kind of feed store is this? They better get on the horn now and get some duckling feed in!

I'm going today. I'll look around. they did have some last time I went but only in little bags.

 

[Yardmom]

You don't want to lower the protein for your ducklings. 18% would be ok. Another choice would be to use flock raiser crumbles which are 20%.

Why are you thinking of lowering the protein %? Does it have to do with the angel wing myth? Poor nutrition and occasionally genetics cause angel wing not a normal poultry % of protein.

 

[AGeese]

So this is what I started my goslings on which says for ducks too: https://www.kalmbachfeeds.com/collections/poultry/products/duck-goose

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I'm going today. I'll look around. they did have some last time I went but only in little bags.

Purina Flock raiser is a good choice.. while it's not on the label, I contacted the company and it has 55ppm or mg/kg of niacin included.. Pekin and jumbo pekin may require more.. but my standard ducks raised well without any other supplementation.

See the followiing link for nutritional suggestions..
https://www.metzerfarms.com/nutritional-requirements.html

I agree that lowering protein to avoid angel wing is a myth.. and that genetics plus excess energy from ANY source may contribute to the condition.

 

[GracePoultry]

You don't want to lower the protein for your ducklings. 18% would be ok. Another choice would be to use flock raiser crumbles which are 20%.

Why are you thinking of lowering the protein %? Does it have to do with the angle wing myth? Poor nutrition and occasionally genetics cause angle wing not a normal poultry % of protein.

Purina Flock raiser is a good choice.. while it's not on the label, I contacted the company and it has 55ppm or mg/kg of niacin included.. Pekin and jumbo pekin may require more.. but my standard ducks raised well without any other supplementation.

See the followiing link for nutritional suggestions..
https://www.metzerfarms.com/nutritional-requirements.html

I agree that lowering protein to avoid angel wing is a myth.. and that genetics plus excess energy from ANY source may contribute to the condition.

this helps!! and yes, I was wanting to lower because of the angel wing thing.

I had a friend tell me about angel wing so thanku!