New ducks - and Food problem...

[Ducklets1999]

I have been given 8 week old call ducks. I have been told that they had chick crumbs from 3/4 weeks of age and they are now in layers pellets, which is too soon, I know I should introduce layers at 16 weeks , however the previous owners haven’t, should I continue them on the layers food, or should I switch them to my growers. You can tell they have grown too quickly as the yellow fluff/feathers are still slightly there.

 

[nchls school]

I feed mine(same age as yours)a mixture of layer(It's what I have) mixed with scratch and dried meal worms This week I started letting them free range for part of the day.

 

[Ducklets1999]

I feed mine(same age as yours)a mixture of layer(It's what I have) mixed with scratch and dried meal worms This week I started letting them free range for part of the day.

And how are their feathers coming through, I have 6 week ducks that are currently on growers and their feathers are all white, the 8 week old are white/faded yellow

 

[nchls school]

When I thought about it two of mine are 12+ weeks old; the drake is getting his adult feathering. I have three that are a month younger and they're feathering out nicely. Two of those are white-bright white and the third, another drake, has the mallard coloration. The three younger ones I'm still keeping penned; too worried about predators-hawks especially.

 

[Alaskan]

I have been given 8 week old call ducks. I have been told that they had chick crumbs from 3/4 weeks of age and they are now in layers pellets, which is too soon, I know I should introduce layers at 16 weeks , however the previous owners haven’t, should I continue them on the layers food, or should I switch them to my growers. You can tell they have grown too quickly as the yellow fluff/feathers are still slightly there.

Do you not have all flock, or all purpose poultry at your local feed store??

 

[Ducklets1999]

Do you not have all flock, or all purpose poultry at your local feed store??

Any examples? And wouldn’t it affect their rate of growth?

 

[Alaskan]

Any examples? And wouldn’t it affect their rate of growth?

All flock and all purpose poultry is a nice compromise if you are feeding multiple species.

Duck and goose pellets would of course be best....

I would worry that a grower formulated for chickens would

1. Be too high in protein and cause angel wing

2. Since it is for chickens not have the higher amount of B vitamins that ducks need