Ration of geese and ducks
Unlike other domestic poultry, the body of waterfowl has its own characteristics. Thus, the developed musculature of geese’s stomach allows them to absorb 50% more fiber than the rest of the family. And thanks to the peculiarities of ducks intestines, their metabolism takes place much more intensively than in chickens and geese. Therefore, the formation of balanced ration of these birds should be approached in an appropriate way.
For geese and ducks that are grown industrially, both dry and combined feeds are suitable. The optimal feed for ducks and geese can be found in the assortment of the brand «Feed&Life» products.
Feed composition for geese and ducks
The question that arises in the first place for farmers is how much fodder is needed for ducks. The composition of feed for ducks in adulthood should include the following components in such proportions:
- grain feeds - 60-75%;
- schrots - 5-10%;
- herbal flour - 5-10%;
- mineral fodder - 4-6%;
- fodder yeast - 3-4%;
- animal origin feeds - 2-4%.
Those who are interested in how much feed the geese need, experts advise to adhere to the volume of combined fodder in 330 grams per day.
Feeding regime of geese and ducks
The actual consumption of geese and ducks combined fodder is determined on the basis of age groups, which there are three:
- 1-3 weeks;
- 4-8 weeks;
- 9-26 weeks.
Young ducks aged 1-3 weeks are fed a granulated fodder with a diameter of 2-3 mm, geese - 2-4 mm up to 6 times a day. Poultry older than 3 weeks are transferred to the ducks feed 5-6 mm in diameter, geese - 4-8 mm.
At different age stages the norms of geese and ducks feed are controlled by such indicators as live weight, productivity, quality and egg-laying.
It is important to remember that the energy of geese feed can’t be sharply increased or reduced in the breeding season.