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risks of feeding chicks layers pellets - Page 2

post #11 of 17
8/9/12 at 2:29pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by jdywntr View Post

I was never a fan of feeding layer rations to males.  But I only had a few birds before.  Now with 19 birds at several months old and 30 week olds, I think I will just feed layer once everyone is at the right age.  The week olds are in and will remain in a seperate area from the older birds so once my ducks and hens start laying, I'm just going to switch them to layer.  I just can't see spending the extra money on enough oyster shell for all of them.  I do give them (2 older hens) crushed, cleaned, dried egg shells but I don't eat that many eggs that I could supply them to everyone.

 

That being said I would NOT give it to younger birds (< 4 months ).  I plan on feeding pellets, not crumbs so it would be difficult for young birds to eat it anyway.

I don't see the difference of feeding layers to roosters, myne has been on layers pellets for 7 years and has not had any health problems...

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post #12 of 17
8/9/12 at 3:34pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Johnn View Post

I don't see the difference of feeding layers to roosters, myne has been on layers pellets for 7 years and has not had any health problems...

For me it is that it can cause problems including permanent damage to organs and the skeleton and even death.  The extra calcium may be more of an issue with ducks and thats what I started out with.  I only recently was able to get a roo.  

DOGS: 4 Shih Tzu, 1 Papillon, 1 Great Pyrenees

CHICKENS: 1 BO, 2 EE, 2 WLH, 10 blue and splash JG, plus various aged JG, BO, JG/BO and JG/EE chicks, and 8 meaties.   

DUCKS: 20 Muscovy ducks: 5 adults, 7 juveniles and 8 ducklings.  6 Pekin ducklings

 

Some threads started with basic info.

Picking a duck breed, where to buy, what genders to get

Raising and caring for ducklings

 

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DOGS: 4 Shih Tzu, 1 Papillon, 1 Great Pyrenees

CHICKENS: 1 BO, 2 EE, 2 WLH, 10 blue and splash JG, plus various aged JG, BO, JG/BO and JG/EE chicks, and 8 meaties.   

DUCKS: 20 Muscovy ducks: 5 adults, 7 juveniles and 8 ducklings.  6 Pekin ducklings

 

Some threads started with basic info.

Picking a duck breed, where to buy, what genders to get

Raising and caring for ducklings

 

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post #13 of 17
8/11/12 at 3:07am

My four week old banty chicks are eating the layer pellets by choice the foolish things!!! They have free choice of those or chick starter crumbles.  I think I am going to pull out the pellets though seems they are all young birds in that pen right now.

I am a Maine farm girl! 2 horses, 2 dogs, 2 beef calves, 2 cats, a 75 gal fish tank, a Ball python, numerous barnyard banties and 9 EE's and three Muscovy ducks. Holy cow sounds like alot to see it written out!! :)

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I am a Maine farm girl! 2 horses, 2 dogs, 2 beef calves, 2 cats, a 75 gal fish tank, a Ball python, numerous barnyard banties and 9 EE's and three Muscovy ducks. Holy cow sounds like alot to see it written out!! :)

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post #14 of 17
8/11/12 at 5:57am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by yo burrill View Post

My four week old banty chicks are eating the layer pellets by choice the foolish things!!! They have free choice of those or chick starter crumbles.  I think I am going to pull out the pellets though seems they are all young birds in that pen right now.

they are probablies copying what their mother eats..

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post #15 of 17
8/11/12 at 11:09am

No momma there. :)

I am a Maine farm girl! 2 horses, 2 dogs, 2 beef calves, 2 cats, a 75 gal fish tank, a Ball python, numerous barnyard banties and 9 EE's and three Muscovy ducks. Holy cow sounds like alot to see it written out!! :)

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I am a Maine farm girl! 2 horses, 2 dogs, 2 beef calves, 2 cats, a 75 gal fish tank, a Ball python, numerous barnyard banties and 9 EE's and three Muscovy ducks. Holy cow sounds like alot to see it written out!! :)

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post #16 of 17
8/13/12 at 5:06pm
I only have the one rooster and the rest will be laying soon. I re-did my math the other d ay and I think I have about 4 more weeks till they are old enough to start laying.

I should be able to feed an all flock food now right? And then I can put out the oyster shell in a few weeks right? So will the rooster know not to eat the oyster shells.
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post #17 of 17
8/13/12 at 5:11pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Loghousemom View Post

I only have the one rooster and the rest will be laying soon. I re-did my math the other d ay and I think I have about 4 more weeks till they are old enough to start laying.
I should be able to feed an all flock food now right? And then I can put out the oyster shell in a few weeks right? So will the rooster know not to eat the oyster shells.

it wont do him any harm eating it. My hens dont usually have oyster shells but they will when they are put on growers pellets. they sometimes have constant access to it and im not sure if he eats it but either way hes still living :)

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