When it comes to choosing the best feed for ducklings, there are a few factors to consider. While ducklings need a high-protein diet during their first few days, their nutritional requirements decrease as they get older. During the later stages of their development, ducklings can also receive supplements of fruits, vegetables, insects, earthworms, and even eggs. Depending on your preferences, you can combine different types of food for your ducklings.
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Commercial feed
There are a few differences between commercial feed for ducklings and free-range eggs. Aside from the obvious taste difference, both products are rich in protein, but ducks prefer corn. Whole corn is better for them than cracked, which often comes from a mill that has mold on it. In either case, you should mix the feed in equal parts and provide the ducks with a smorgasbord of choices.
Eggs
While chickens have similar nutritional requirements, ducks have special needs. Aside from meat, they produce eggs and are excellent for insect control when raised on a free range. When buying ducklings, you can purchase a starter feed made for waterfowl. However, you should avoid chicken starter feed as it contains too much protein. Instead, you should buy special waterfowl starter feed, which is available in many hardware stores and feed stores.
Non-GMO feed
Organic, Non-GMO, and free-range duck and chicken starter feed is an excellent choice for your flock. This blend contains essential vitamins, minerals, and trace elements to jump-start your flock’s growth. It is a good source of protein and has a 9% crude fiber content. In addition, it contains 35 milligrams of Niacin per pound. The ingredients are grown in the Pacific Northwest to meet the needs of ducklings.
Cabbage
If you want to give your ducklings the best possible diet, cabbage is an excellent choice. Not only can they eat the whole cabbage, but they can also eat the leaves and heart. However, if you don’t want to sacrifice flavor, you can also add some pellets or seeds to your duck’s diet. Here are some tips to help you choose the best cabbage for your ducklings.
Scratch
While most ducks love grains, you should only feed them whole grain. This is important for duck health, as they tend to gain a lot of weight. You do not need to add dietary supplements to their diet, but some ducks may also need some grit and shells to make their eggs. Here’s a list of some of the best scratch feed for ducklings. If you’d like to start feeding your ducks, read on to learn more about what they love and what they don’t like.
Whole or cracked grain mixes
The choice is yours! Both whole and cracked grain mixes can be used for feeding ducklings. Whole grains contain more nutrients than cracked or ground grains. Ground grain loses its nutritional value after grinding. Pellets are less expensive per kilogram, but they are the preferred choice of commercial growers. The added benefit of pellets is that ducks prefer them over whole grain and meal. So which is better for your ducklings?
Bread
One of the most popular and common questions you might have when it comes to raising pet ducks is, “What is the best feed for ducklings?” While bread may be a tempting option, it’s important to avoid it at all costs. Although bread is rich in carbohydrates, it lacks nutrients such as vitamins and minerals. Furthermore, bread tends to be very filling and will limit the nutritional value of the food for your ducks. Moreover, bread will result in excessive weight gain and malnutrition in your ducks.
Oyster shell
Oyster shell has been considered one of the best feeds for ducklings and is an excellent source of calcium. Its larger particle size allows it to remain in the digestive tract longer than limestone. As a result, it is a good source of calcium for egg shell production over the course of the entire day, even at night. This mineral is also widely available in bags of 10 and 40 lbs.
Brewer’s yeast
Many duck keepers provide brewer’s yeast to their baby ducks. This supplement contains niacin, increases protein and provides other health benefits to ducks. You can purchase brewer’s yeast for ducklings at health food and beer-making supply stores. It is also available in feed for livestock and some manufacturers have even created formulations specifically for ducks. When purchasing brewer’s yeast, make sure to determine the amount of niacin your ducks need, as their requirements vary depending on age, stage of development and genetic history.
