Switching laying ducks to chick starter?

[WhiteTreeOfGondor]

A few of my laying ducks have had ragged and ratty looking feathers in the last few months so I've been looking into switching them to a higher protein feed to see if that helps. They are currently eating 16% layer feed. I haven't been able to find anything affordable so I was thinking of just trying them on 18% chick starter instead. A couple of the girls have issues with soft shelled eggs even on layer feed and with access to oyster shells, so I'm not sure if the switch would be good for them. Any advice? Is there anything else I can do to try to help their feathers?

 

[fatty and friends]

switch them to a duck specific feed, chicken layer feed doesn’t have what ducks need to be healthy

 

[WhiteTreeOfGondor]

switch them to a duck specific feed, chicken layer feed doesn’t have what ducks need to be healthy

I would, but I can't find anything gmo free specifically for ducks that is affordable .

 

[NatJ]

Ratty feathers will sometimes stay that way until the next molt, when they fall out and new ones grow.

The diet will make the most difference during the time the new feathers are growing, although of course it can make some difference at any time.

Yes, chick starter might be a better choice than layer feed, but you probably need to add extra niacin to either one. I'm not sure what else you might need to add to make it right for ducks.

@Miss Lydia can you advise on duck food options here?

 

[Isaac 0]

Poor feather quality can also be associated with a lack of suitable bathing water. Preening, and oil distribution is mostly done when ducks are bathing. I would ensure they have a nice deep clean area to play in as well.
I think you are going to have a hard time finding a cheap non-GMO duck feed. All flock by Nutrena or Purina flock Rasier would supply the ducks with the right nutrients they need at a fair price. You could likely find either of these at your local farm store.
Otherwise, adding nutritional yeast to the current feed may make it suitable enough to feed. Besides niacin, chickens' and ducks' nutrient requirements are quite similar.

 

[WhiteTreeOfGondor]

I did start using Kalmbach's non-gmo flock maker for ducklings, and they do very well without any extra niacin now. It seems very similar to the Purina Flock Raiser. But ordering it from Chewy is still a bit expensive for the rest of the flock. Our feed store carries the brand at a lower price but not that particular feed. Maybe I'll ask them about special ordering it.
They do have bathing water and regularly use it, especially after I clean it every other day.
Thank you for the replies! @fatty and friends @NatJ @Isaac 0

 

[Miss Lydia]

I have fed my flock Non GMO chick starter and have had no problems with it. It’s hard to find duck specific feed in a lot of places and when you have a mixed flock
It’s not always the best anyway. When we have chicks and duckling all my flock eats starter. Hopefully once your flock molts they should have gorgeous feathers again. I do add Nutritional yeast to my feed.

 

[WhiteTreeOfGondor]

I have fed my flock Non GMO chick starter and have had no problems with it. It’s hard to find duck specific feed in a lot of places and when you have a mixed flock
It’s not always the best anyway. When we have chicks and duckling all my flock eats starter. Hopefully once your flock molts they should have gorgeous feathers again. I do add Nutritional yeast to my feed.

Thank you, that's good to know that yours have done well on it!

 

[Miss Lydia]

I may be ruffling some feathers by saying what I did but having a mixed flock and after a week of mama and babies being together then letting them out with the flock I can't have feed for a few and another for the rest. So I just do it the way I have always done it.