Flock Raiser question

Morning All

I have 2 ducks and 4 chickens together all raised from babies. (All aged around 15 weeks old). Two of the chickens are bantams and do not look ready to lay as their combs are still tiny but i am getting eggs off my head chicken Stella. The other chicken is squatting so I'll be expecting eggs very soon.

Anyway, regarding their feed obviously I have to cater to the ducks as well as I dont really want to separate them unless I have to. I have been advised to buy "flock raiser" but I cant find that over here in the UK. Now bearing in mind the two bantams, would it be OK to feed them all growers pellets? They free range most of the day apart from when I am work but I have some oyster shells to go into a bowl for Stella. I'm pretty confused to be honest about what's the best type of food for them. Currently they are all on chick feed apart from Stella who is on layers pellets but I dont want to make them ill or give them the wrong nutrition. They have grapes every day including the ducks, they have salad as well and a few mealworms etc every day and whatever they can find in the garden.

Thank you for any assistance

How are you keeping the young birds from eating Stella's layer feed?

Your plan is the best method. Feed all grower pellets and provide oyster shell in a separate container.

Layer feed is 4% calcium and all other feeds are 1% calcium. Layer is only for those building egg shells.

Hiya I feed her separately then remove it which means she can still get at the chick food in the main coop area. This is ok for her isn't it?

Thanks for your advice though and I've ordered some growers pellets which will make life a lot easier as she complains very loudly when she's separated from the others bless her. Shame we can't get flock raiser here

ChickenCanoe said:

Layer feed is 4% calcium and all other feeds are 1% calcium. Layer is only for those building egg shells.

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Layer is also really designed for large flocks of leghorn type birds (light, flighty, with large eggs) - it's a compromise in order to lower costs while maximizing laying- it has about as little protein in it as they can get away with, and as much calcium as they can get away with. If you're trying to keep a large laying flock and the difference in cost per bag is a big deal ($11 vs $14 - thats a big deal when you're buying tons and tons), then it's a good tool, but for small hobby flocks I think most people are better off with flock raiser/grower/maintenance type foods that have a higher protein level.

Oh ok I didn't realise that. I'm not even bothered whether they lay eggs to be honest although they are a fabulous bonus.

As we have no flock raiser anything with "grower" in the name is ok? I've seen a few different manufacturers who offer this food.

Thank you

Your plan is good. There's not much difference between grower and flock raiser.
Flock raiser is formulated for mixed flocks of broiler chickens, ducks, geese from hatch and for finishing turkeys, pheasants and quail after 8 weeks of age.
Grower is intended for chickens up to point of lay.
Layer, in addition to 4 times the calcium will have slightly more vitamin content because of all the vitamins that chickens expel in eggs every day.

If you're real concerned, figure out what brands your local feed stores carry, and give those brands a call (or go through their websites) - they'll usually have a specific recommendation for each 'class' of flock.

It may just be a case of the brand using a different name for their food, and what you need is readily available.

X2

Yes that sounds like a good plan. I have to buy online as I have no feed stores but having ducks as well kind of complicates things ever so slightly although they are all very healthy and happy rampaging through the garden.
Thanks everyone x