Layer feed and Drakes

[secretquail]

I have just stumbled across a thread saying the extra calcium isn't good for the drakes. Is the layer feed a no no for the boys? If I leave a dish of oyster shell for my girl, will the boy know enough to not dip in? Lucky is almost 7 months old, and I'm hoping for her first egg soon. I want her to be healthy, but my drake too. Right noe they are on a mix of flight maintenence and cracked corn.

 

[FenDruadin]

I feed all my ducks the layer feed without problems, but they also have access to free range forage, acres and acres of it, most of every day. I think if they are being fed more or less exclusively on the pellets, the extra calcium is more of a danger.

Yes, if you give the oyster shell separately your boys will not mess with it unless they need it. They know what they need and if they have options, assuming they're not junky options (like bread and pasta), they'll make the right choices for themselves.

 

[destinduck]

Dont worry about that at all

 

[conroy]

Our drakes get layer feed but then they do freerange as well.

 

[Hattiegun]

I have all mine on grower with oyster shell on the side... They cant free range in the winter ~~ Alot of ppl I know feed layer pellets with no problems but this way Im not switching any feed at all.. I just always keep a bowl of oyster shells and the girls know when to eat it and the boys ingnore it... simple.~~~

 

[duckking]

Our drake also gets layer feed, but they get lots of veggies and stuff, so they are not totally dependent on it. We put out oyster shell for our hens as they are starting to lay, and the drake will get into it a little bit, (we keep the chickens and ducks together), but I figure if he eats a bit, he must need the calcium? I don't know.....My vet said as long as he's not outright eating it and has lot's of healthy greens and treats, not to worry about it. I think he just wonders what all the excitement is about when he sees the chickens and on occasion, the ducks eating it. The ducks are still young, so they don't seem too interested in the calcium yet.

 

[DuckLover3]

Layer feed can cause liver damage with drakes. I use it anyways because it would be quite challenging to feed the ducks one thing and the drakes another, but I think it's still good to know.

 

[Going Quackers]

I have read/heard that myself. I honestly, have no plans to use it this year since i have cough 3 drakes.. i have oyster shell out for my ladies and they all free range.. i have eggs all the time so clearly they are doing A-OK without it...

 

[rainplace]

I sure would like to see a definitive source for this, as my vet (a waterfowl specialist) has assured me that it is not a problem. However, a lot of what I have read on the internet contradicts what he says. All our poultry get the same layer feed, but they do free range as well.

 

[Tahai]

Dave Holderread, in the Storey book, says not to supplement drakes w/calcium as oyster shells, or in feed, and to take ducks off layer feed when not laying.