Can I feed my ducks laying pellets?

[Junkybird]

Okay, I know, probably a stupid question . . . My duck isn't laying yet (I actually have no idea on the age when ducks lay, same as chickens?) but my chickens have just started. Do you feed ducks and chickens the same laying pellets, or is a there different type of laying feed for ducks?

Right now I have 2 mallards, 6 young guineas (13 weeks old) and 16 chickens. Three hens are laying and the rest aren't. All of these birds are in the same pen and coop. They all eat the same thing--un-medicated poultry starter from Cleveland Feeds. I was feeding the guineas wild game feed with the higher protein, but when they went in with the others, I had no choice but to feed them the regular feed.

So my questions are:

1) when will the duck start laying?
2) will it hurt them to go ahead and feed regular laying pellets?

I'll ask about the guineas on that board . . .

Thanks

 

[Dances with Ducks]

Very reasonable question!

Ducks may start laying at 16 weeks,I've heard of some that have started sooner and a lot start later. At 14 weeks they can start layer pellets, same layer pellets as chickens.
I don't know for sure that if it would hurt them in any way to give it to them before that but I have heard it suggested that it may cause them to lay prematurely and that may cause prolapse.
I have a question for you - what age do chickens usually start laying?

 

[Junkybird]

Well, from everything I've been told, chickens start laying between 4 and 6 months. My Dominickers started laying at 19 weeks. Wow, my duck should start laying anytime now!

 

[Birdgirl]

I could be wrong but I have snowy mallards and mine only laid in the spring. and Its ok to feed them laying pellets as long as its not medicated. Im pretty sure medicated kills ducks... I feed mine laying mesh.

 

[FenDruadin]

Dances with Ducks said exactly what I would say, but better.