I'll be the first to admit that I have made a lot of mistakes with starting our flock. Part of it comes from a month-long delay in a chick order, part from me wanting to mix ducks and chickens, and part from inexperience. I've always had their best interest in mind, but here is what happened. Hopefully someone can give me some advice or let me know I didn't mess up *too* bad.
We have a mixed flock, both in breed and ages. Our RIRs are approximately 19 weeks old, with BRs that are about 14, and a few mixed-breeds that are somewhere in between. At one point, we also had some Indian Runner ducks in the mix, which is where the problems started.
The RIR were hatched around April 1st, and were put on starter and we continued that program throughout the introduction of the BR and mixed chicks. The Indian Runners were picked up on May 19th from the local feed store. After researching online and talking to the feed store owner and staff, we decided that it would be okay to keep the ducks on non-medicated starter, so we switched over to it. The chicks had been on medicated starter crumbles prior to that.
Well, after about 4 weeks (putting us at about 11 weeks for the RIR), I became concerned because the ducks were growing at a rocket pace, and did not have the upright stance or gait of Runners. I talked with the feed store owner, expressing concern that they were getting to much protein and were growing faster than their bodies could handle properly. The suggestion was made that we switch them to grower, so we did for a couple of weeks. (RIR now at 13 weeks)
The ducks were still outgrowing everything and at 6 weeks were larger than the 13 week RIRs. They were still walking like "regular" ducks and I wondered if it was really the feed or if I didn't get the pure Runners I thought I ordered. Since nature equipped them with shovels to eat with, the 5 of them were out-eating 12 chickens easily, and we were going through 50# of feed in 2-3 weeks when it was offered free-choice. The advice from the feed store...switch to layer crumbles.
So, for the last 6 weeks or so, our entire flock was switched to layer formula. I now see that too much calcium can be detrimental to the younger birds. The ducks were re-homed yesterday to a nice lady with a large pond and facilities that were better equipped for ducks, and I feel good about making that decision. Now the question is, since I have cleared out the ducks, what should I do about the feed? Our RIR are beginning to show interest in the nesting boxes and squat when I am around (apparently I am the roo for the flock?), but the others are still around or under 16 weeks.
My thought is to switch back to grower and offer oyster shells or supplements on the side so that the Reds get what they will be needing shortly, keep it that way for the next 4 weeks, then go back to the layer for everyone. Is there anything I should/can do about having been feeding layer to the others at too young of an age? Everyone seems happy and healthy, so I cannot attribute any major problems to my error, but I want to do what is best for them. My second thought is...I found a new source for feed and am done with that feed store. They were probably giving me the best advice that they could, but after reading here, I think they were giving bad advice.
Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer this silly newbie.
We have a mixed flock, both in breed and ages. Our RIRs are approximately 19 weeks old, with BRs that are about 14, and a few mixed-breeds that are somewhere in between. At one point, we also had some Indian Runner ducks in the mix, which is where the problems started.
The RIR were hatched around April 1st, and were put on starter and we continued that program throughout the introduction of the BR and mixed chicks. The Indian Runners were picked up on May 19th from the local feed store. After researching online and talking to the feed store owner and staff, we decided that it would be okay to keep the ducks on non-medicated starter, so we switched over to it. The chicks had been on medicated starter crumbles prior to that.
Well, after about 4 weeks (putting us at about 11 weeks for the RIR), I became concerned because the ducks were growing at a rocket pace, and did not have the upright stance or gait of Runners. I talked with the feed store owner, expressing concern that they were getting to much protein and were growing faster than their bodies could handle properly. The suggestion was made that we switch them to grower, so we did for a couple of weeks. (RIR now at 13 weeks)
The ducks were still outgrowing everything and at 6 weeks were larger than the 13 week RIRs. They were still walking like "regular" ducks and I wondered if it was really the feed or if I didn't get the pure Runners I thought I ordered. Since nature equipped them with shovels to eat with, the 5 of them were out-eating 12 chickens easily, and we were going through 50# of feed in 2-3 weeks when it was offered free-choice. The advice from the feed store...switch to layer crumbles.
So, for the last 6 weeks or so, our entire flock was switched to layer formula. I now see that too much calcium can be detrimental to the younger birds. The ducks were re-homed yesterday to a nice lady with a large pond and facilities that were better equipped for ducks, and I feel good about making that decision. Now the question is, since I have cleared out the ducks, what should I do about the feed? Our RIR are beginning to show interest in the nesting boxes and squat when I am around (apparently I am the roo for the flock?), but the others are still around or under 16 weeks.
My thought is to switch back to grower and offer oyster shells or supplements on the side so that the Reds get what they will be needing shortly, keep it that way for the next 4 weeks, then go back to the layer for everyone. Is there anything I should/can do about having been feeding layer to the others at too young of an age? Everyone seems happy and healthy, so I cannot attribute any major problems to my error, but I want to do what is best for them. My second thought is...I found a new source for feed and am done with that feed store. They were probably giving me the best advice that they could, but after reading here, I think they were giving bad advice.
Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer this silly newbie.
