Many farmers feed wild and bran-based feeds directly to ducks and geese. However, these feeds are more easily absorbed when they undergo some basic processing first. Proper preparation not only improves digestibility but also enhances the nutritional value for the birds.
**Valley Solids:** This category includes grains like corn, wheat, barley, sorghum, and rice. If you're feeding sorghum to ducks or geese, it's best to crush it or soften it with water before germinating. Rice has a tough outer shell and high crude fiber content, so it should be used sparingly. If you do use rice, make sure it is ground into a fine powder before feeding.
**Bran:** Examples include wheat bran, corn bran, and rice bran. These ingredients are high in crude fiber, so their inclusion in feed must be carefully controlled. For laying ducks and meat ducks, the amount of wheat bran and corn mash should not exceed 15%. When feeding geese, the total percentage of these brans in the diet should not go beyond 20%.
**Roots, Tubers, and Fruits:** Such as sweet potatoes, carrots, and pumpkins. These are excellent sources of trace elements and vitamins essential for the growth and development of ducks and geese. To improve digestion and absorption, it’s recommended to cut them into small pieces before feeding.
**Dregs:** This refers to by-products like distiller’s grains and tofu residue. These materials often have poor palatability and inconsistent nutrient profiles. It's best to mix them with other feed ingredients to ensure a balanced diet and better overall performance.
**Green Feed:** This includes vegetables, grasses, wild plants, and aquatic plants. Green feed is rich in nutrients, easy to digest, and highly palatable. It’s also cost-effective and widely available. However, always wash the green feed thoroughly before feeding to avoid pesticide residues.
**Protein Feed:** This covers both plant-based options like soybean meal and animal-based sources such as fishmeal, meat and bone meal, small fish, shrimp, and insects. While these ingredients are high in crude protein, the amino acid profile may not be balanced. Some may even contain anti-nutritional factors. Therefore, it's important to combine them properly or apply detoxification methods to achieve a well-balanced diet.
**Inorganic Salts:** Such as shell powder, limestone, bone meal, and salt. Ducks and geese require very little salt in their diet, and even a slight excess can lead to poisoning. These minerals should never be fed alone but must be mixed thoroughly with other feeds to ensure even distribution and safe consumption.
By understanding the characteristics and proper usage of each feed type, farmers can optimize the health, growth, and productivity of their ducks and geese. Always consider the specific needs of the animals and consult with a nutritionist if necessary.
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