Crumble Confusion!

[CarterKoopa]

Hello BYC!
I have had chickens & ducks for about 5 years. For all of this time, I have been feeding Dumor growth to the chicks (20% or 24% protein, don't remember exactly), and then layer (16% protein) to everyone once they are integrated into the entire flock. I've never really thought much about this, but reading some forums here lately I've heard that feeding this layer feed to my ducks (both drakes), rooster, and retired hens can do significant damage to their kidneys; because of this I was thinking about switching over to something like this Nutrena All Flock Feed and then offering oyster shells free choice. Is this a good move? I'm worried that the 20% protein will be too much for the chickens and especially for my ducks. Should I keep doing what I have been with the layer feed, switch to the all flock feed mentioned above, or change to something completely different?
Thank you for your help!!

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

I would switch to all flock. I have roosters and hens together (won’t keep ducks with them; too messy ) and I have free choice oyster shell.

 

[crazy4ChickensNducks]

I feed my laying flock including a rooster DuMOR layer pellets. I’m not going to change the whole flock to a more expensive feed for one freeloader, after about 3 years he will most likely go to freezer camp and a new rooster will replace him

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

I feed my laying flock including a rooster DuMOR layer pellets. I’m not going to change the whole flock to a more expensive feed for one freeloader, after about 3 years he will most likely go to freezer camp and a new rooster will replace him

I hang on to my roosters for a little longer than that so I think it’s beneficial in my case. The hens get butchered at two years though. My roosters are stud breeds.

 

[GC-Raptor]

I'm worried that the 20% protein will be too much for the chickens and especially for my ducks.

I don't have ducks,but I have chickens 7 months to 3 years old. I feed all a feed with 18 to 20% Protein. Either a Non-Medicated Starter-Grower or a All-Flock/Flock Raiser crumble.
Here is a feeding chart from a bag of Nutrena Naturewise Starter Grower.

It looks like All-Flock is OK for Ducks and Chickens.
My first Flock of Golden Comets feather picked when I switched to a 16% Layers feed.
I offer Oyster Shells separately for the Layers. . You may get some thin shells till the hens figure out they need to consume Oyster Shells for the Calcium.
I also mix it in with my Scratch Grains at a ratio of 1 pound of Oyster Shells to 20 pounds of Scratch that I toss in their pen as a treat. GC