Do ducklings need to be fed separately from mature chickens?

[MuslinOpera]

Hey there,

Am wondering what others have done when moving ducklings in with mature chickens, particularly surrounding food. Ducklings are five weeks old and are outgrowing our inside brooder box, so we have made them a ground-level dwelling in the chicken coop. I know it gets cold at night, so definitely planning on putting on the heat lamp, as they are still not fully feathered.

I have read conflicting information about feed. Can ducklings eat the layer chicken feed at five weeks of age? If not, how do I feed them separately? When can they start eating layer feed? Would love thoughts and ideas!

 

[katiebrock]

They shouldn't have layer feed until they are mature, because it has too much calcium for them right now. I am sure someone with more experience will chime in soon!

 

[MuslinOpera]

Great, that's what I thought. But the real question is, how would you recommend feeding them separately?

 

[Isaac 0]

Hey there,

Am wondering what others have done when moving ducklings in with mature chickens, particularly surrounding food. Ducklings are five weeks old and are outgrowing our inside brooder box, so we have made them a ground-level dwelling in the chicken coop. I know it gets cold at night, so definitely planning on putting on the heat lamp, as they are still not fully feathered.

I have read conflicting information about feed. Can ducklings eat the layer chicken feed at five weeks of age? If not, how do I feed them separately? When can they start eating layer feed? Would love thoughts and ideas!

No, ducklings cannot eat layer feed, it contains too much calcium and too little niacin for them. I would suggest switching to an All Flock Feed or a Purina Rasier feed, both would be completely fine for each species, and of all ages.