HI all!

[GrannyCarol]

Definitely the flock raiser. Your ducks are ducklings, they shouldn't have a layer feed. Your female won't need a layer feed if she has additional calcium free choice when she is old enough to lay. The drake is better off NOT eating a layer feed, the excess calcium is harmful to him. Hope that helps!

 

[m496]

They are not ducklings, though. I ordered them from Holderreads as young adults, not ducklings.

 

[Amiga]

Drawing the line between duck and duckling is a bit of an art, I think. If I recall correctly, ducks generally reach full size at four months, but may not be completely mature till they're seven months old.

 

[m496]

Well, I think that I may be going by feed. For example: At 7+ weeks, ducks can eat pellet feed such as layer, etc. I have little experience with ducks, so you experts are the ones to answer that!

 

[GrannyCarol]

I guess I don't consider them adult until they are of the age to lay eggs - more like 15 - 20 weeks. They wouldn't need layer food until then and it's not balanced for growth. Yes, they are probably full frame at 7 weeks, being a small breed, but not mature. My large breeds are not fully mature until they are about a year old. I don't know if my ducklings from this spring will lay until next spring and I will keep them on flock raiser until they show signs that is near, or start laying. That said, they have free choice oyster shell calcium every day.

That was my consideration. I buy my flock raiser in pellets and put my 2 - 3 week old ducklings on pellets. They get a non medicated chick starter with brewer's (or nutritional) yeast for added niacin before that. They have access to dirt, etc., from about 2 weeks on, so they don't need grit.

 

[m496]

Thank you Carol for the great input! I have decided to stay away from the layer feed for now or just never use it. I think I will try the All Flock, and if that is not working out, then I will go to the flock raiser. I do like the All Flock more because it can be used for fully mature birds, too, and the flock raiser is only for younger than mature birds, correct?

Thank you!

 

[GrannyCarol]

Actually Flock Raiser is an all age maintenance food - I start them on it as soon as I use up my first bag of chick starter. You could use that or the All Flock just fine. I'm not familiar with All Flock, but it sounds pretty much the same.

 

[m496]

Thank you! I think right now I will look up both the bags of feed and compare them and try to make a decision!!

Thanks for all your help...

 

[m496]

I reaserched the flock raiser. It looks pretty good! Though, isn't 20% protein too high to feed all year (winter time)? Thats why I am a bit iffy on it.

 

[Amiga]

I use rolled oats to add fiber and lower protein. if you want to lower the protein from 20% to 15%, use one part oats to 3 parts feed. Some people feed cooked potatoes or squash, which have some protein but not near 20%.