Feeding a mixed flock?

[J&Kfeatheredfowl]

Hey all, joe here, and I was wandering about my future mixed flock.

Can I just mix all the different feeds together in one big bucket, and feed them that? Or do I need different feeders/ different runs altogether?

The birds I would like are:

Chickens (obviously)
Ducks
Geese
Guinea fowl

P.s Will everyone get along at feeding time, or do I need to set up a ‘seating plan’ at the ‘dinner table’

Thanks in advance x

 

[Ridgerunner]

What feeds are you feeding? When some of those are babies they have special needs, but once they get to be adult they can all share the same feed within reason. They are not going to know what feeds they are supposed to eat, whether you mix it or feed it in separate containers. If they can get to it they will eat any of it. So when some of those are babies you’ll need to house them separately.

A couple of examples. If growing ducklings get too much protein they might (not necessarily will, but might) develop “angel wing”. It’s recommended for guineas that the babies start off on a high protein feed. If I remember correctly you don’t want grown ducks to overdo it on protein either.

Another issue is that growing babies don’t need that high a calcium level as that can cause internal organ problems or skeleton issues. But hens laying eggs need quite a bit of calcium for the egg shells.

The way many of us manage these kinds of problems is to feed the flock a low calcium feed but offer oyster shells on the side. That way the ones that need the calcium for egg shells can eat all they want while the ones that don’t need it won’t eat enough to harm themselves.

With that mix, when they are adults I’d suggest you look at a 16% protein feed with calcium levels in the 1% range. Especially if they forage for some of their food they should thrive on that.

Good luck! Should be an interesting flock.

 

[J&Kfeatheredfowl]

What feeds are you feeding? When some of those are babies they have special needs, but once they get to be adult they can all share the same feed within reason. They are not going to know what feeds they are supposed to eat, whether you mix it or feed it in separate containers. If they can get to it they will eat any of it. So when some of those are babies you’ll need to house them separately.

A couple of examples. If growing ducklings get too much protein they might (not necessarily will, but might) develop “angel wing”. It’s recommended for guineas that the babies start off on a high protein feed. If I remember correctly you don’t want grown ducks to overdo it on protein either.

Another issue is that growing babies don’t need that high a calcium level as that can cause internal organ problems or skeleton issues. But hens laying eggs need quite a bit of calcium for the egg shells.

The way many of us manage these kinds of problems is to feed the flock a low calcium feed but offer oyster shells on the side. That way the ones that need the calcium for egg shells can eat all they want while the ones that don’t need it won’t eat enough to harm themselves.

With that mix, when they are adults I’d suggest you look at a 16% protein feed with calcium levels in the 1% range. Especially if they forage for some of their food they should thrive on that.

Good luck! Should be an interesting flock.

Thanks for the feedback appreciate it. Will be buying the first few birds as ‘point of lay’ birds and house the younger birds seperate from each other.