Can ducks be kept on layer all year round?

[pappaduck]

Hello all
Quick question to which I've not found an answer on the boards, so apologies if this is a repeat. Our ducks are laying very well and all is good. however I just wondered if they ever need a break from layer food?

They laid all through last winter and even laid (although not as often) during their spring moult. So we didn't see any obvious period of time when they might want or need a break.

My current plan is to keep them on it (it ain't broke, so...). Just checking if that is correct - any advice most welcome!

thanks
PPD

 

[Duckworth]

Layer feed has added calcium, which ducks don’t need when they aren’t laying. The added calcium does not benefit them when they don’t need it and may be detrimental to their long term health. I have all female laying ducks, though one of them was injured a few months ago and has not resumed laying. I have been feeding an “all flock” feed intended for a variety of poultry and waterfowl and providing a separate small dish of oyster shell to provide calcium to those ducks who feel the need for it. Offering the calcium free choice allows the ducks to take as much or as little as their bodies need.

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

Layer feed has added calcium, which ducks don’t need when they aren’t laying. The added calcium does not benefit them when they don’t need it and may be detrimental to their long term health. I have all female laying ducks, though one of them was injured a few months ago and has not resumed laying. I have been feeding an “all flock” feed intended for a variety of poultry and waterfowl and providing a separate small dish of oyster shell to provide calcium to those ducks who feel the need for it. Offering the calcium free choice allows the ducks to take as much or as little as their bodies need.

I agree with this and it exactly what I do as well.

 

[pappaduck]

thank you both, so just to be clear, you *never* give them Layer, and always give them All Flock + Oyster Shell?

The other thing is, my ducks are never 'not laying'...

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

thank you both, so just to be clear, you *never* give them Layer, and always give them All Flock + Oyster Shell?

The other thing is, my ducks are never 'not laying'...

Yes that is correct. I am in South Texas and my experience is year round laying though sometimes individuals will take a short break or some lay when they molt and some dont. When people on here talk about laying season , I'm like. But if you live in the North, I think they don't lay in winter.

 

[quackiemama]

I used to feed layer pellets when my were laying until I learned it could be detrimental to my drake so I switched to the All Flock with oyster shells on the side just like @Duckworth and @Magnolia Ducks

 

[Miss Lydia]

I use layer year round because I have birds that lay year round mid USA mountains of NC I mix with chick feed 50/50 all the time though an keep oyster shell out for those that need extra.

 

[pappaduck]

Yes that is correct. I am in South Texas and my experience is year round laying though sometimes individuals will take a short break or some lay when they molt and some dont. When people on here talk about laying season , I'm like. But if you live in the North, I think they don't lay in winter.

Thanks MD - well, I live in Ontario, Canada so we have a proper winter and they laid right through it . But will give the Flock+Oyster a go.

 

[MIDuckLady]

I live on the central east coast of Florida and my girls don’t really have any distinct laying season. They just do it all year round. I feed layer with a bit of corn mixed and have free choice oyster shell. From time to time I encounter soft shelled eggs and wonder if it’s because they free range all day. They eat lots of small fish from the pond and bugs of every sort all year round. Maybe they are just not eating enough of their feed when they come into the pen at sundown.