Different Types of Feed and Nutrition for Laying Ducks-Mash,Crumbles & Pellets

Ducks are poultry birds that lay eggs typically more than chickens. The layer ducks are provided with nutrition in the form of mash, crumbles and pellets. During the first eight weeks, they should always have access to food. After completing eight weeks of growth, they are usually fed twice a day, in the morning and in the evening. 

A typical layer diet includes essential nutrients like crude protein, riboflavin, niacin, and high calcium levels. Regular chicken feed is also provided to the layers, however, some feed ingredients such as groundnut meal can be toxic to the ducks which will adversely affect their growth and development. And also, it is best advisable to place a water source nearby all the time. 

While layer chicken hens are often provided with mash feeds, the most preferred feed for layer ducks are pellets and crumbles. 

Mash 

Mash feed contains a mix of grains or ground feeds with all the necessary vitamins and minerals required for growth. It is made by grinding and mixing the essential grains into correct proportions, essential to meet the nutritional requirements of the animal/bird. The energy expenditure required to prepare the mash is low when compared to pellets. 

For up to three weeks, Ducklings are provided with a mash feed containing about 20% protein and 2750 kcal/kg metabolizable energy. From the 4th to 8th week of age, mash feed with 18% protein and 2750 kcal/kg of metabolizable energy is fed. 

This form of feed often tends to clump more in the duck’s mouth and the duck might need to take frequent trips to the water source nearby. This can also result in the wastage of feed. So the mash diets are usually wetted with water before being provided to the ducks.

Pellets

Pelleting is the most common feed manufacturing operation. In this feed processing technique, the raw materials are mixed in required amounts and turned into small rod-like agglomerates called pellets. Finely ground mash is preconditioned with steam, shaped into pellets and then cooled. Converting the ground mash into pellets is facilitated with the help of a feed pellet machine.

Pellet feed offers many benefits to the livestock. They are easier to handle and store, and also the animals can consume them easily. As pellets are steam treated, harmful microorganisms and potential pathogens that could have been in the mash are killed, providing a clean and healthy feed. The birds that consume pellets need lower maintenance energy requirements in eating and digestion when compared to those fed with mash. Pellets also help in minimizing the wastage of feed given, increasing feed intake and improving sanitary conditions.  

For newly hatched ducklings, the recommended diameter of pellets for their safe consumption is below 3.18mm and length less than 7.9 mm. Pellets with diameters about 4.7 mm and 1.7mm can be safely provided to the ducklings after two weeks of age. 

Crumbles

Crumbles are obtained when pellets are crushed into smaller parts. They are manufactured from whole pellets by cracking or rolling them. These feed items appear coarser than the mash, making a convenient option for a quick feed for the birds. 

Crumbles are mostly fed to the young ducklings. Their coarse texture makes it easy for the young birds to feed on them. Ducks fed with crumbles and pellets tend to grow faster and utilize their feed efficiently.