Hides
New Member
Posts: 19
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Post by Hides on Jan 19, 2009 13:37:13 GMT 8
This morning I have changed my 3 week old ducklings from there Duck crumb starter to Duck grower/finisher pellets. well they have shown utter discussed for pellets!! all they do is dabble there bills in it and throw it around and quack very loudly there horror at being made to eat it. Can anyone give me any ideas as to the transition from crumb to pellet. Am I going to have to crush up the pellets for them?? Thanks H
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Post by Cluck N Waddle on Jan 19, 2009 15:45:05 GMT 8
You might have to crush the pellets up a bit for a little while, slowly increasing the size. I usually switch mine from Duck Starter crumble to Pullet Grower crumble at 5-6 weeks old so I havent had a problem trying to get them to eat pellets. Dont pulverise the pellets, just pop some in a bag and break them up a bit with a hammer or put them in the blender for a second. After eating that for a couple of days they should then eat the pellets without a problem
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Post by fluffychook on Jan 19, 2009 15:46:37 GMT 8
lol hides, just mix the two mixes up gradually giving less and less crumbles. They will adjust, especially if they are hungry. How are they all going. Love some updated pictures if you have the time.
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Hides
New Member
Posts: 19
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Post by Hides on Jan 19, 2009 15:54:46 GMT 8
Thanks Cluck I'll do that. Do you think 3 weeks is to young?? I have read so many books and been told so many different things from 2 weeks - 5 weeks it's so confusing!! My problem is one of my ducks is a runt and quite slow to grow but on the other end of the scale I have a very overgrown massive 3 week old who has leg problems because of his size.
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Hides
New Member
Posts: 19
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Post by Hides on Jan 19, 2009 15:56:57 GMT 8
wow Tina we must have been writing at the same time!! I'll send some updated pics for you.
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Post by fluffychook on Jan 19, 2009 16:13:50 GMT 8
I think we were. Heidi I would ask the vet you spoke to about Blue and see what they suggest. Wattle may be in need of extra protein, but Blue definately doesn't. They may suggest something for both. I too was confused about the transition and going from experience we left it too late at 6 weeks. We now have a problem with angel wings, so if I had been raising them I would start changing their diet from three weeks as people I have spoken to tell me they don't have trouble doing when they do this. The main thing is that when the wings are pinioning (growing flight feathers) too much protein causes problems. Keep a close eye on their wings and if at any time you suspect the wings feathers are not sitting right, put some pictures on and the forum can help you. Angel wing can be helped by taping, but we left it too late as we were unsure. Our ducks wings improved with taping but a couple are not too good and if done earlier we might of had a better result. I look forward to the pictures, thanks Heidi
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Post by rap on Feb 15, 2009 13:31:25 GMT 8
Angel or slipped wing, mostly the left wing can be both ,males more prone,nutritional problem to much high protein feed.May help if kept in small groups with lots of room.Plenty of green food and keep pen dark at night so they eat less.If wings do drop try diet alfalfa grass or layers pellets not chick or duck growers.This appears to be a problem in domestic stock and not found in wild ducks/geese eating a natural diet.
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