How to feed drakes and ducks who live together ?

[JaredandLauren]

How do I meet the nutritional needs of my laying ducks and my drakes who live in the same enclosure ? I’m confused because all flock is a no no apparently for the laying ducks but the drakes don’t need the excess calcium that the females do so what’s the solution?

 

[cherrynberry]

How do I meet the nutritional needs of my laying ducks and my drakes who live in the same enclosure ? I’m confused because all flock is a no no apparently for the laying ducks but the drakes don’t need the excess calcium that the females do so what’s the solution?

For me, I let the hens out and purposely trap the rooster in the coop, feed him, feed the hens, and let him out. Then, throughout the day, I feed other treats that both the male and hens can enjoy

 

[FuzzyCritters]

All flock is great for laying hens! All they need is a dish of oyster shell on the side for free choice calcium. The drakes might sample the OS, but they wont eat enough of it to cause problems.

 

[cherrynberry]

All flock is great for laying hens! All they need is a dish of oyster shell on the side for free choice calcium. The drakes might sample the OS, but they wont eat enough of it to cause problems.

does this also work for chickens?

 

[FuzzyCritters]

does this also work for chickens?

Yup! I feed grower to all my flocks, and each flock has a rooster/drake (some flocks have multiple). The males have learned to leave the oyster shell alone, and the hens just take what they need. I've never experience any laying or nutritional problems doing this, since the main differences between grower/all flock and layer are the protein and calcium content. The micro and macro nutrient contents are essentially the same.

 

[fatty and friends]

duck feed is best for ducks (only use chicken food if you need to) and can be fed to drakes and hens. oyster shells on the side and they will take whatever they need.

 

[KaleIAm]

My avian veterinarian has recommended that my pet laying ducks get duck layer feed. She says they need it for more than just additional calcium and protein, that it is more robust in general and has additional vitamins to support the hard work load of laying eggs. My non laying pet duck was recommended to have duck maintenance food.

I separated the laying ducks from the non laying duck twice daily for meal times. I provided a bowl of oyster shells always. Somehow the female ducks just know how much oyster shells to eat. My laying ducks gobble down the shells, and my non laying duck didn't.

Most people just feed duck maintenance food, or all flock to everyone and provide oyster shells. Since mine are very loved pets I wanted to consult a veterinarian and follow their recommendation, even though it is harder.

 

[JaredandLauren]

For me, I let the hens out and purposely trap the rooster in the coop, feed him, feed the hens, and let him out. Then, throughout the day, I feed other treats that both the male and hens can enjoy

Wow ...I won’t be able to do this. I need something quick and easy. I have 11 chickens, six ducks, four dogs, a cat a fish a toddler and I’m pregnant. There’s no way I’m going to fuss with separating them and such... I just don’t have that sort of time

 

[JaredandLauren]

duck feed is best for ducks (only use chicken food if you need to) and can be fed to drakes and hens. oyster shells on the side and they will take whatever they need.

So then would you recommend getting a waterfowl maintenance food and then supplementing with oyster shell instead of the all flock feed ?

 

[KaleIAm]

Wow ...I won’t be able to do this. I need something quick and easy. I have 11 chickens, six ducks, four dogs, a cat a fish a toddler and I’m pregnant. There’s no way I’m going to fuss with separating them and such... I just don’t have that sort of time

You probably don't need to go the extra mile that we do. If your ducks are separate from your chickens you can probably just feed duck maintenance food and provide oyster shells. Lots of BYC members do that.