Gil’s world!- proper duck diet

[Kkrista123]

Hey guys!! You already know I am always worried about Gil even when there’s no reason to be. I am so excited because the bedroom is getting re done right now and we are doing away with the carpets and opting for vinyl hard wood. That way no more carpet for mold or bug worries ever and vinyl can get wet (lots of fish tanks) along with it can be cleaned of duck poo a lot nicer. This is also when Gil gets her ducky mansion that I’ve been so excited for!!

Anyways, since she is 21 weeks old, I just want reassurance her diet is meeting her nutritionary needs. She is an indoor duck so nutritional needs are slightly higher.

Now that she’s 21 weeks we are almost completly switched over to layer feed. She also gets oyster shell and grit once a day. I don’t think she eats both, that’s why I always offer both. She also gets treats daily which are usually meal worms or greens. I always make sure she has feed available. Usually the once a day serving of grit and oyster shell mixed into the feed will be picked on throughout the day as I add more feed. She also gets cracked corn mixed into her grit and oyster shell feed. I don’t think she eats the corn at all though.
Am I missing anything in her diet? Anything I could be doing better for her diet? Thanks everyone!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Keep the grit and oyster shell in separate bowls and out all the time that way she can eat when she needs it. Mine are eating layer because in the feed I buy that’s all I can get right now she is close enough to lay to eat it.

 

[CrystaBub]

Just a separate thought - but Gil is an indoor duck who hasn't been exposed to a lot of outdoor stuff to build up immunity to things... You said you have wild ducks in the creek that Gil will be going to - so wondering if our med expert @casportpony recommends anything proactive for Gil b/f Spring...? I worry a lot about cross-contamination with the abandoned domestic ducks I try to rescue from the park - so I keep a separate pair of shoes in my car to switch out when we go visit them. Maybe overkill lol - but maybe just something to think about...

 

[Kkrista123]

Thanks for all the great info everyone! I will keep her oyster shell and grit separate so she can eat it as needed! I only started feeding oyster shell the day she reached 21 weeks in preparation for egg laying. She's not big on the cracked corn but it seems she'll eat it when she knows she needs to. Lettuce was never her favorite. I realized I was babying her too much and ripping it up too small. Once I gave her big pieces of lettuce, she went crazy for it! Happy to know I'm not messing up her body at all though!

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Idk, do you have some outdoor space nearby? Even if it is a public park you could take Gil for a walk so that she can try some fresh grass(hoppers) when spring arrives. i'd be careful with the layer food if she doesn't lays eggs. An excess of calcium has to be excreted through the kidneys, not good…
I would go with meatbird crumbles as a basic food, then add treats as you like. - That's what my Duckies get, of course they can still run around outside and eat whatever they might find.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I usually feed chick starter or broiler but over winter the feed company doesn’t make it . I mix 50/50 layer and either of the other two, my Runners will get thin shelled eggs and some times lay a soft shell even tho they forage on a little over a half acre and have oyster shell on the side and I see them eating it. Never heard the layer for birds that are penned up and can’t forage not saying it isn’t true just never heard that before. If I had my choice I’d rather not feed layer but I do know it helps my girls.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

I usually feed chick starter or broiler but over winter the feed company doesn’t make it . I mix 50/50 layer and either of the other two, my Runners will get thin shelled eggs and some times lay a soft shell even tho they forage on a little over a half acre and have oyster shell on the side and I see them eating it. Never heard the layer for birds that are penned up and can’t forage not saying it isn’t true just never heard that before. If I had my choice I’d rather not feed layer but I do know it helps my girls.

Exactly! - If you experience things like soft-eggs or thin shells, feeding layer crumbles is a good idea. Maybe there's not much calcium in your soil?

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

Yes it is. That is all I use with oyster on the side. I am still getting six eggs a week.

 

[Kkrista123]

Idk, do you have some outdoor space nearby? Even if it is a public park you could take Gil for a walk so that she can try some fresh grass(hoppers) when spring arrives. i'd be careful with the layer food if she doesn't lays eggs. An excess of calcium has to be excreted through the kidneys, not good…
I would go with meatbird crumbles as a basic food, then add treats as you like. - That's what my Duckies get, of course they can still run around outside and eat whatever they might find.

Yes, lots of outdoor space around!! Even a creek in my backyard!!!! I will certainly have her outside a lot more once it warms up. She won’t go out in the cold or in dirty/cold water.... spoiled... :/ (including the creek. It takes both her human parents going in for her to go in the creek... even with the wild ducks in the creek watching her

Awesome info on the layer feed though. From what I had read I thought she was supposed to be on it from 18 weeks and I was worried I was a couple of weeks late with it!!

Thanks for the help!

 

[chickens really]

I never feed layer feed. I use Grower/finisher. I hardly use corn. She won't need oyster shell till she starts laying. They won't use it unless they need too. You can pick her grass and Dandelion greens.