Layer Feed???

[SeasideDuckMan]

My 3 duck hens are laying about 2 eggs a day on average. But recently they have been laying eggs with no shells. They live at the lake across the street and i feed them, collect eggs, visit them everyday. They eat gamebird feed, but also eat bugs, weeds, and snails, from the lake. But i think that my buff hen, runner hen, and cayuga hen aren't getting enough calcium, or certain vitamins they need to produce eggs with proper shells.

There is semi-local feed store that has layer crumbles, layer mash, and layer pellets. Fist of all, what would you recommend for ducks? Also, can male ducks eat layer feed too? Like i said, i have 3 hens, but also 3 drakes and they are all inseparable. So, if i feed layer feed to the hens the drakes will most likely eat it too. Is this okay? I just want my hens to be healthy and produce the best eggs an not run low on calcium and important vitamins..What do i do? Thanks.

 

[mrshaggie810]

I am super new to all poultry, and I actually know more about chickens, even though I have my first 2 ducks! lol! But, from my understanding...layer feed should be ok as long as the protein content is high enough...and I don't think it will matter if your drakes eat it. I know that when chickens start laying soft shell or shell-less eggs they are low on calcium, and you need to supplement them with crushed oyster shell, or egg shells, and you can also add a powder supplement to their water. There may be some human food that you can feed them that might help as well...I'm not sure though...I hope that helps some, and hopefully someone with more experience will weigh in for you.

 

[Amiga]

Crushed oyster shell is often offered free choice so the ducks (females) can get the calcium they need without damaging the kidneys of the drakes.

And, just because this is the way I feel, I want to let you know that unprotected ducks usually fall prey to predators especially at night. Is there something you can do to protect them?

 

[SeasideDuckMan]

The goo thing about where we live is that my great neighbors have a large house on the lake. Every morning they tap on the back door asking for food. So they spend a lot of time under close watch. Also, there is a small island in the center of the lake where they sleep. So other than an occasion hawk, that is the only predator i am worried about. But trust me, i love my ducks like i love my family, so i always keep a close eye on them. Thanks!!!

 

[SeasideDuckMan]

thanks! I think i will go for a walk on the beach and look for some oyster shells to smash up and reed to them. I live like 4 blocks from the beach... That may seem nice to you, but i'm a farm person. i hate the beach. lol, but its convienent for finding calcium for my birds!