Simplifying Duck Food?

[Kangasox]

I feel like an inadequate duck owner after rereading the Holderread chapter on understanding feed. Has anyone simplified this into a dummy-proof chart? I have ten 13 week old ducks. I am still settling on the optimal food...but I am totally overwhelmed by calcium, adding kibble, oats during molt, probiotics, supplements, preparing them to lay, drakes not eating too much calcium, etc. What do you do?! I'm afraid my quackers are missing something. They currently eat Reedy Fork feed mixed with oats and lots of fruits and vegetables.

 

[Amiga]

It can be overwhelming. At first I went with what I reckoned was the best boughten feed I could find. Then I made adjustments from there, one thing at a time. The life stage and condition of the ducklings and ducks inform me about whether to try some supplementation.

It is tricky when there are individuals in the flock with different needs. In fact, I need to go to the night shelter with Romy and Sechs' "special" calcium treats.

When my Runner girls started playing hop on top, I rightly surmised they were within a month of starting to lay, so I set out free choice oyster shell. Once everyone was laying, I went to layer feed. Since we had a spate of soft eggs near the end of laying season, I kept up with layer to build their calcium back up.

I just make adjustments as I learn, as I notice things - like if a duck's feathers seem kind of lackluster, or if it's been particularly cold, or some other stress.