Ducks.

These birds are quite unpretentious in food. They can even mine it themselves. Their diet includes many different foods. However, in order to achieve the best results, it is worth following certain recommendations. Which may differ from each other, depending on the purpose of growing poultry.

*information is advisory

Product types

As we have already said, ducks are not picky and eat almost everything, but there are certain types of foods that must be included in a food to make it complete.

Cereal crops.

The first item on this list is occupied by cereals. They are a source of carbohydrates that provide energy to the body and promote weight gain. As well as protein and fiber, which contribute to the development and cleansing of the body, respectively. At the same time, 2-3 types of crops can be included in the diet, the main thing is that the mass fraction of this group does not exceed 75% of the total.

Corn, the favorite grain of poultry. It can be up to half of the daily requirement. It contains up to 3% fiber and about 10% protein.
Next in demand is wheat. Up to 15% protein, plus vitamins B and E. Best of all, ducks consume wheat grain in crushed form. Flour from it can only be added to a wet mash. It is optimal if the share of wheat does not exceed a quarter of the total mass. Barley. Useful, but has a rough structure, so its share should be no more than thirty percent of the allowable for cereals. Add to food in crushed form.
Oats. It contains about 15% protein and 5% fat. That contributes to a more active weight gain and timely adaptation of the body to it. It is customary to add crushed grain peeled from the shell to the feed. The amount of which should not exceed a third of the total allowable share of cereals.

Bean cultures.

It is a unique source of vegetable protein. They are included in the feed of birds and animals without fail. Peas are rich in vegetable protein. Its share in the plant is one fifth. It is recommended to add to food ground, in an amount not exceeding 10% of the total mass.

Roots.

Vegetables and fresh herbs provide a wide range of nutrients. In the warm period, they can make up to one third of the diet. Such food allows not only to diversify the bird’s meal, but also save on feed.

Green mass. Pea stalks, clover, alfalfa, dandelions and other plants can be included in such a mixture. Before serving, finely chop. It is allowed to add to the mash, but not more than 20%.
Aquatic plants are truly one of the favorite treats of these birds. And for good reason, aquatic plants have an order of magnitude larger list of nutrients than their terrestrial relatives.
Vegetables. Rich in a wide range of trace elements. It is customary to include grated ducks in feed: carrots, pumpkin, cabbage, sugar beets and gourds.

Feed of animal origin.

Act as a source of protein. It promotes accelerated development and weight gain. Provided that their total volume will be within 15%.

Dairy (backwash, whey, low-fat cottage cheese).
Meat and bone meal can contain up to 50% protein. Its optimal level in the daily portion is about 9% of the total volume.
Fish flour. The permissible level of content in the daily norm is 6%.

Mineral supplements.

These are foods that are sources of essential minerals such as: sodium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, copper and others. They are necessary for the iformation of a solid skeleton and wear-resistant muscular system, as well as the proper functioning of internal organs. They include:

Shell, shell rock and chalk. They contain calcium, necessary for the hardness of the bones of the bird and the shell of its future eggs.
Coarse sand and fine gravel. Helps digestion in grinding coarse food.
Bone flour. Almost the entire list of essential minerals can be found in its composition. The proportion of such impurities should not exceed 3% of the total mass. Salt. source of sodium. It is important that its amount is within 0.5% of the total mass.

Diet for laying hens

Laying hens need an increased content of nutrients in the feed, but at the same time, measured growth. Since rapid and early development causes a decrease in egg production and a decrease in egg weight. The table shows the percentage of products in the diet for ducks of different ages.

Diet of meat ducks

Raising birds for meat is characterized by nutrition that promotes rapid weight gain. Often birds of this orientation are sent for slaughter at the age of 2.5 -3 months. The table shows the percentage of products in the daily diet per individual for different ages.

Name	from 13 weeks	from 16 weeks	from 19 weeks	from 22 weeks
Corn	37	35	33,7	33,4
Grain mix	22	26	27	29
Fish or meat waste	2,3	2,7	3	0,5
Cakes and meals	3,5	4,2	4,5	5,4
Boiled mashed potatoes	15	14	13,5	13,3
Dry chopped hay	15	14	13,5	13,3
Bone meal	0,5	0,5	0,56	0,56
Common salt	0,5	0,5	0,5	0,53
Shell rock, chalk	3	3,2	3,3	3,64

It is worth mentioning that the composition is not fixed. The ingredients in it are interchangeable.

Name	from 13 weeks	from 16 weeks	from 19 weeks	from 22 weeks
Cereal crops	55,9	47,6	35,3	47,8
Wheat bran	7,7	6,2	7,2	10,6
Boiled potatoes	12,4	–	–	15,9
Fresh herbs	–	30,1	31,1	–
Low-fat cottage cheese	4,6	3,7	1,6	2,6
Grated sugar beet	–	–	14,5	7,9
Dried hay flour	4,6	–	1	4,7
Return	6,2	5	4,1	5,3
Meat and fish waste	3,1	3,7	1,6	0,2
Shell	1,8	1,2	1,2	1,5
Bone meal	0,9	0,5	0,3	0,7
Chalk	0,9	0,75	0,6	0,7
Gravel	0,6	0,25	0,2	0,5
Common salt	0,4	0,3	0,3	0,3
Baker’s yeast	0,3	0,25	0,4	0,5

What must not be given

The diet of ducks is quite diverse. But there are some products that not only will not bring benefits, but can cause significant harm. The use of such pets should be limited.

Finely ground wheat in dry food, when consumed it can stick together and block the airways.
Fresh milk for adults should be given carefully. May lead to diarrhea.
Fresh or spoiled bread. The first is heavy for the stomach, and can cause diarrhea. The second one can cause poisoning of the body with mold fungi. It is recommended to give only in the form of crackers.
Poisonous herbs. These include: ambrosia, celandine, quinoa, henbane, cocklebur and others. Before grinding the herbal mass for serving, it is worth looking at its composition.
Maple leaves. Ingestion of their food is fatal to ducks.
Nettle. Very useful, but only if properly processed before serving. Boiling water should be poured over the plant to neutralize the villi on it, which, otherwise, can burn the bird’s esophagus.

Be attentive to the bird’s diet and they will thank you with good productivity! Thank you for being with us!