⠀ Layer Ration Question

[I dig chicks]

It's about that time to switch over to layer ration for my hens, but I also have 2 ducks that live with the chickens, Are they ok to eat the layer ration as well?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Will the ducks be laying eggs at the same time? If so then it's ok but when your ducks stop laying in the winter, they need to come off the layer. The same goes for your chickens next autumn when they molt.

http://www.forthebirdsdvm.com/pages/care-and-feeding-of-pet-ducks

 

[DrPatrickBiggs]

If your ducks are laying eggs, then you can feed both the chickens and the ducks a laying feed. IF the ducks are not laying eggs, then they need to be on diet that has a lower calcium level than what a laying feed offers. Feeding birds diets that are high in calcium when they are not laying eggs can be harmful to the bird's health and cause kidney damage. If you are going to only provide one feed for your birds, then it needs to be a feed that is lower in calcium than a laying feed. You can then provide a source of calcium (oyster shell) in a separate feed container for the chickens that are laying eggs.