Fine Dining for 2

[Duckwing]

I have two, (2), Silver-duckwing bantams. A hen and a roo. They were hatched late last spring. My hen has started laying her first eggs a few weeks ago, and she has laid a total of 5 eggs so far. I have switched her from growth formula, to DuMor layer crumbles. DuMor layer crumbles advertises 16% protein and increased calcium, and states it has everything needed for proper shell development. Her egg shells have been nice and strong so far. I supplement her with corn on the cobb, shreaded carrots, and occasional black berries; in addition, she free ranges bugs in the grass.

These two are just pets, but I am hoping that she broods a clutch of chicks this late February. My question is as follows:

• Is this diet okay for the roo?
• Is February too early?
• Is DuMor a decent brand health wise? They seem to like it.

I plan on keeping the chicks, all except the roosters.

 

[DobieLover]

• Is this diet okay for the roo?

• Is February too early?

• Is DuMor a decent brand health wise? They seem to like it.

No, over the long term this diet is not okay for your cockerel. In time it will damage his kidneys as his body does not need all the extra calcium that is required for form eggs.
I would switch them over to Flock Raiser crumbles with a container of oyster shell on the side for her and future layers.

Unfortunately, you cannot predict when or even IF your pullet will go broody. It just doesn't work that way. If you want to hatch out her eggs late February, you will need to incubate the eggs and raise the chicks yourself, then integrate them into the flock.

I have never fed Dumor feed but only have an anecdotal story from a man I once met who said he fed Dumor and lost one of his best quality roosters. He had him necropsied and the report stated the bird was malnourished. I'm not certain how that would be determined in a necropsy. But that is what this man said. Take it with a large grain of salt.
Personally, I don't think any of the layer formulations offer enough protein. I think 16% is the bare minimum. I can't count the number of times I've read of behavioral and physical problems that lead back to a lack of protein in the diet. Flock Raiser is 20%. That is what I feed and I've never had any problems with feather picking or eating, poor feather quality, etc.

 

[aart]

What @DobieLover Said^^^

The higher protein will help offset the other treats.
Why I feed Flock Raiser to all from hatch to harvest.

 

[cmom]

I feed my males the same feeds my females. I have not had any experience Dumour feed except once or twice in many years when someone gave me a bag or partial bag. I did do some research and found no scientific findings that layer feed will hurt the males. Some people will disagree and say it is bad for them but I would like to read the study they got their information from. I do offer oyster shells and grit because I do give the birds treats of seeds and grains that I put in their feeders. I don't free range any more due to losses from predators but do supplement with grass clipping and alfalfa. I do change my feed depending on the time of year and when I'm breeding for hatching and when the birds are molting then I give them higher protein feed, 1. to give the chicks that hatch a good start and 2. when the birds molt the feathers are primarily made of protein so I feed them the higher protein feed. Since my brand of choice only offers Game Bird Breeder in the higher protein I feed that to them. I do show my birds at poultry shows and they have placed well. If you are planning on your female hatching out the chicks she has to go broody first and you can't make a bird go broody. If she continuously sits in a nest box then you can be pretty sure she is ready. I personally use an incubator. After the first of the year I will be setting up my breeding coops and pens. After they have been in there for around a month I will collect eggs to put in the incubator. With only two birds you should have no problems. I always have one breeder male for each of my breeds of choice and a backup male in case something should happen to one of the males. Good luck and have fun...
This is one of my champion Rhode Island Red females.

 

[chickens really]

I keep my Birds on Grower finisher feed their entire lives and supply Oyster shell once a week in a separate dish.
If you plan to hatch eggs you want a good shell but not so hard the Chicks can't pip and hatch out easily.