Hello, Blue Seal Feed users!
Tons of noob
questions coming at you.
After speaking with various feed stores in the area, I've decided to use the Blue Seal program. I'll start with Chick n Game starter, go to Grower-cal pellets, then on to Layer pellets (http://www.blueseal.com/poultry/feeds.php#gc). I will have 10 Welsh Harlequins, pastured in a 40x40 mobile electric poultry fence, moved weekly, so they will have plenty of good forage. Having decided all this, I still have a couple of questions the feed store couldn't answer.
The Grower-cal and the Layer - do they have enough calcium, or will I still need to supplement with oyster shell?
Do these feeds have enough niacin for ducks, or will I need to supplement?
If I need to supplement Niacin, what is the most effective, least expensive source?
How much feed should I plan to give each duck when they will be spending at least 12 hours foraging in good pasture?
How much feed should I plan to give each duck during the winter when they will be confined to a small yard and the coop most of the time?
Do ducks on pasture need supplemental grit (clay/clay loam rocky soil)?
What inexpensive fruits/veggies provide the most nutrition for winter feeding?
I plan to have the drinking water on an external water porch accessible from the duck house at all times. Will I need to have the food on the porch also, or can I keep the feed inside the duck house? (not really clear on the mechanics of duck mastication)
What type of feed container works best? Should it have high sides to keep the feed in, or should it be low, large, and wide to prevent fighting?
When is the best time to feed the ducks their feed ration? In the morning when I let them out? In the evening when I lock them up? Or should I split the feed both morning and night?
What is the best type of waterer for drinking only? (swim time will be in the pasture only)
How much water will 10 ducks need to make it approximately 12 hours at night?
OK, I think that's all for now. I know there are a lot of questions here, so if you only feel like answering a couple of them, I understand! I appreciate all your hard-earned advice and experience
Thanks ever so much,
Tahai
Tons of noob

After speaking with various feed stores in the area, I've decided to use the Blue Seal program. I'll start with Chick n Game starter, go to Grower-cal pellets, then on to Layer pellets (http://www.blueseal.com/poultry/feeds.php#gc). I will have 10 Welsh Harlequins, pastured in a 40x40 mobile electric poultry fence, moved weekly, so they will have plenty of good forage. Having decided all this, I still have a couple of questions the feed store couldn't answer.
The Grower-cal and the Layer - do they have enough calcium, or will I still need to supplement with oyster shell?
Do these feeds have enough niacin for ducks, or will I need to supplement?
If I need to supplement Niacin, what is the most effective, least expensive source?
How much feed should I plan to give each duck when they will be spending at least 12 hours foraging in good pasture?
How much feed should I plan to give each duck during the winter when they will be confined to a small yard and the coop most of the time?
Do ducks on pasture need supplemental grit (clay/clay loam rocky soil)?
What inexpensive fruits/veggies provide the most nutrition for winter feeding?
I plan to have the drinking water on an external water porch accessible from the duck house at all times. Will I need to have the food on the porch also, or can I keep the feed inside the duck house? (not really clear on the mechanics of duck mastication)
What type of feed container works best? Should it have high sides to keep the feed in, or should it be low, large, and wide to prevent fighting?
When is the best time to feed the ducks their feed ration? In the morning when I let them out? In the evening when I lock them up? Or should I split the feed both morning and night?
What is the best type of waterer for drinking only? (swim time will be in the pasture only)
How much water will 10 ducks need to make it approximately 12 hours at night?
OK, I think that's all for now. I know there are a lot of questions here, so if you only feel like answering a couple of them, I understand! I appreciate all your hard-earned advice and experience


Thanks ever so much,
Tahai
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