egg shells or oyster shells?

[Duck mommy 2019]

what works better for calcium for laying ducks? we can’t use layer feed because we have two drakes.

also is it fine that she is eating grower/finisher right now? it was the only feed besides layer at the store, and the other two ducks are only 14 weeks so i didn’t want them to be on layer.

 

[HalfWayUpAMountain]

I don't know which one gets the better result, but my girls definiltey prefer to scoff the egg shells. I would go with what your girl likes !

Yes the food is fine in the interim - do they get out and about for grazing / bug stalking time ?

 

[Duck mommy 2019]

Yes the food is fine in the interime - do they get out and about for grazing / bug stalking time ?

yes they get to free range basically the whole day since atleast one person is out with them. they also get extra fruits/veggies daily. today they had tomato and strawberry

 

[HalfWayUpAMountain]

Sounds like a great diet ! Lucky duckies !

 

[Trisseh]

My girls definitely prefer egg shells. I think they’re easier to scoop up with their bills. Although that being said, the oyster shells that I paid -a lot- for that were smaller, thinner, more delicate shards were greatly preferred over the thicker pieces that look like stones. They’d pick those up and toss them out looking for the smaller pieces. Lol. Now I just feed their shells back to them and everyone is happy.

 

[cmom]

Everyone is different so I'm sure you will get a lot of different opinions. I give everyone oyster shells and grit because I also give then grains and seeds and I have a lot of birds. You can feed everyone the same feed, All Flock or Flock Raiser, whatever they call it.

 

[NatJ]

You certainly can feed eggshells to them.

But unless you're buying eggs, they will ALSO need either oyster shell or layer feed.

The calcium from the eggs they laid isn't enough to continue making more eggs. To make one new eggshell, they need to eat more than one old eggshell of calcium--some gets lost in digestion.

 

[HalfWayUpAMountain]

You certainly can feed eggshells to them.

But unless you're buying eggs, they will ALSO need either oyster shell or layer feed.

The calcium from the eggs they laid isn't enough to continue making more eggs. To make one new eggshell, they need to eat more than one old eggshell of calcium--some gets lost in digestion.

Really ? Back in the day when I knew less than I do now about raising ducks, mine didn't get shell of any kind or grit and laid like pro's !

They are KC's though - made for the job.

 

[cmom]

I had my first flock around 50 years ago and our birds mostly got grains and seeds but back then they free ranged too. I don't free range anymore due to the losses from predators, but the birds have nice large pens and seem quite content in them. Once in awhile I have opened the gates to let them out and they may come out but before long they are all back in their pens on their own. I put the grit and oyster shells in the feeders and the birds take what they want but I have a lot of birds.

 

[Duck mommy 2019]

You certainly can feed eggshells to them.

But unless you're buying eggs, they will ALSO need either oyster shell or layer feed.

The calcium from the eggs they laid isn't enough to continue making more eggs. To make one new eggshell, they need to eat more than one old eggshell of calcium--some gets lost in digestion.

how many do you recommend?