I have 1 drake and 1 hen...( i know, i know... he needs atleast 3 hens to keep them all safe, but he is really easy with her, and only breeds when she wants too...i.e. if he head bobs and she head bobs, its game on. If he head bobs and she doesnt he will wait. (plus I want to get ducklings in the spring but my husband isnt having it) They also only seem to mate in the morning, right after I let them into their clean pool, I have paid attention and they dont seem to do it any other time of day.) Well I have recently discovered that she is laying. For the past month or so I have been feeding layena pellets, mixed with crack corn, and scratch... plus the free range and get egg...veggies...fruit...worms...and even sometimes feeder fish. I just have read conflicting information. Can I feed my drake layena, if dinner is usually half layena and half corn/grains? he has so far seemed fine, and he likes it. I just want to make sure I am doing whats best in the long run.
My drakes have had layer pellets before with ill effects. However their were free ranging quite a bit.
I hear different things, too. Those who don't think it's a good idea base it on longer term internal organ damage - rough on the kidneys. Were I to add a drake to the flock, I'd work to minimize their calcium intake compared to what the girls get. Free choice oyster shell and maintenance feed is likely how I'd go.
Quote:Just what were these "ill effects"? Why do you think the laying pellets might have caused them?
