Layer crumbles okay for 8 week old ducks?

[TheDuckCrew]

I went to the food store today because I was fresh out of duck food, and they were also fresh out of the grower. So they gave me layer crumbles instead. Of course they didn't mention it and I noticed when I got home. My ducklings are only 8 weeks old and they live with their mom and dad. Should I just give them the crumbles for now and try to see when they get some more grower in? Will it be okay for them?

 

[Amiga]

Well, it is better to have something for them than nothing, that is for sure.

Can you supplement with some rolled oats, a little more salad? The calcium levels are really too high for optimum long term health for ducklings and drakes in the layer feed. If you can cut it with something and then get grower/maintenance ration a.s.a.p., that sounds better to me than putting them on layer feed at least two months too soon. Certainly, there will be people who attest that they feed nothing but layer feed always and to everyone.

I would be cautious about keeping them on too much calcium and higher protein.