recently separated chickens from ducks. what feed is better-

[Jenbirdee]

they have been on an all flock pellet with oyster shell on the side ( because they were together with ducks) but now that they’re separate, should I switch them to a chicken feed or maybe a layer feed? ( no roosters here) i like nutrena pellets

 

[Lacy Duckwing]

Are they laying at all? If they're laying, then it's best to have them on a layer pellet.

With any and all feed changes, you should always wean them into the new feed. This prevents shocks in their system that may cause them to temporarily stop laying or have other problems like feather plucking.

 

[Jenbirdee]

Are they laying at all? If they're laying, then it's best to have them on a layer pellet.

With any and all feed changes, you should always wean them into the new feed. This prevents shocks in their system that may cause them to temporarily stop laying or have other problems like feather plucking.

yes they are laying. I would like to get this

but if they stop laying for a while in the winter can they still have it? it’s only 16 percent protein and the all flock feed they are used to is 20%( also nutrena brand) so I guess I could just start mixing both together for a while till they get used to it?

 

[Lacy Duckwing]

yes they are laying. I would like to get this View attachment 3942926 but if they stop laying for a while in the winter can they still have it? it’s only 16 percent protein and the all flock feed they are used to is 20%( also nutrena brand) so I guess I could just start mixing both together for a while till they get used to it?

That drop might provoke feather plucking alone, so you may want to wean them for awhile. I don't switch my feed during the winter, so I'm not sure which would be better. I keep them on layer year around until I retire them to new homes.

 

[Logar]

Layer feed is made specifically for production hybrids, not normal chickens. There are many more benefits with using an all flock with oyster shells on the side. And they are already used to it so switching really just adds a potential stressor to the flock that isn’t needed

 

[Jenbirdee]

Layer feed is made specifically for production hybrids, not normal chickens. There are many more benefits with using an all flock with oyster shells on the side. And they are already used to it so switching really just adds a potential stressor to the flock that isn’t needed

great to know, thanks . makes it easier on me too just buying one kind of Feed.