Feed question

[Runnerduck918]

Hi All!!!
I just wanted to see what everyone is feeding? And what recommendations you have...I have 4 female runner ducks..and just getting a lot of soft shells...they get layer crumbles and fresh oyster shell everyday. Thanks in advance!

Tracey

 

[chickens really]

If they are just new layers they need time to get the egg machine straightened out..

 

[Miss Lydia]

What brand of layer if you don't mind me asking? do they free range daily? Have you been supplementing with any type of calcium?

I blend 50/50 layer/ chick starter because that is all I can get in NON GMO I'd rather have an all flock but not available. I keep oyster shell out year round and if I get soft shells I offer calcium gluconate or calcium citrate for a few days and that usually helps.

 

[Runnerduck918]

I feed purina oyster Strong and yep they get to free range...and they turned 1 this past May I would say they have been laying since March

 

[chickens really]

Runners are egg layers so they might need time to adjust to egg laying. Could be the feed. Switch to an all flock feed with oyster shell on the side..

 

[Miss Lydia]

Runners really do lay heavy a lot of times I am wanting mine to take a break from laying just to give their bodies time to rest and get their calcium levels back to normal.

I am not sure what to tell you on the feed. Flock Raiser is a good feed but doesn't have enough calcium for layers that is why we put out oyster shell. But your using a feed formulated for Layers. Is this the only feed you have given them since they started laying? You could try feeding the FR and see if there is any change I use to feed it and never had any one too often come up with a soft shell egg.

 

[Runnerduck918]

Yes they layer crumbles is all I feed...plus veggies and things. And by FR that is flock raiser?

 

[Lil Drake40]

Yes!

 

[Runnerduck918]

Thanks for all your help!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

I was just reading about the Purina Oyster strong it sure does look like good feed. They usually have a number or wedsite on the bags why not give them a call and talk to them about these egg problems they are nice folks to talk too.