They accidentally ate some of the layer feed

[KikiDeAnime]

Before I ask my question, I wanted to say that I was okay after the fall. Nothing was broken or sprained. No bleeding either!

I was bringing out the feeder after refilling it to the top but I forgot about a recent hole that our dogs dug up so I ended up falling. Since I was very close to where we keep the ducklings, some of the feed spilled near and into their yard. They ate what they found before I shooed them away to scoop up what I could.

All 3 ducklings will be 7 weeks old on Saturday.
The feed that we put out is Bar Ale Organic Poultry Feed.

Will they be okay??

 

[Aapomp831]

They will be perfectly fine. It’s not safe to feed young chicks layer feed on a regular basis... if they get ahold of a few morsels, or even eat it for a day or two it won’t kill them or do any harm. It’s long term feeding of calcium that’s not necessary that does damage. No need to worry!
If I can offer any advice, use All Flock or Flock Raiser to feed everyone. You can switch the chicks over to it around 8 weeks (or whenever their chick food runs out), then everyone can eat the same feed and you won’t have to worry. Just provide oyster shell on the side for your layers; even if the youngsters experiment with it, they won’t eat enough to do any harm. Again, it’s long term feeding of excess calcium that causes issues. They will be fine in the short term.

 

[KikiDeAnime]

They will be perfectly fine. It’s not safe to feed young chicks layer feed on a regular basis... if they get ahold of a few morsels, or even eat it for a day or two it won’t kill them or do any harm. It’s long term feeding of calcium that’s not necessary that does damage. No need to worry!
If I can offer any advice, use All Flock or Flock Raiser to feed everyone. You can switch the chicks over to it around 8 weeks (or whenever their chick food runs out), then everyone can eat the same feed and you won’t have to worry. Just provide oyster shell on the side for your layers; even if the youngsters experiment with it, they won’t eat enough to do any harm. Again, it’s long term feeding of excess calcium that causes issues. They will be fine in the short term.

These are ducklings, not chicks.

 

[Aapomp831]

These are ducklings, not chicks.

Right, I know... still same answer! Sorry, just used to saying chicks.

 

[KikiDeAnime]

Right, I know... still same answer! Sorry, just used to saying chicks.

We feed the ducklings duck feed since they're housed separately.

 

[Aapomp831]

We feed the ducklings duck feed since they're housed separately.

Ok... so I’m having trouble understanding... you’re worried because the ducklings got ahold of some adult duck feed? Or a different kind of feed for a different animal.... I realized I never clarified which feeder you were refilling in the first place; assumed it was calcium in the layer feed you were concerned about. Forgive me, I’m only on my second cup of coffee lol

 

[KikiDeAnime]

Ok... so I’m having trouble understanding... you’re worried because the ducklings got ahold of some adult duck feed? Or a different kind of feed for a different animal.... I realized I never clarified which feeder you were refilling in the first place; assumed it was calcium in the layer feed you were concerned about. Forgive me, I’m only on my serving cup of coffee lol

I listed what feed I spilled in my original post which was what they got ahold of.

 

[CluckerFamily]

They will be perfectly fine. It’s not safe to feed young chicks layer feed on a regular basis... if they get ahold of a few morsels, or even eat it for a day or two it won’t kill them or do any harm. It’s long term feeding of calcium that’s not necessary that does damage. No need to worry!
If I can offer any advice, use All Flock or Flock Raiser to feed everyone. You can switch the chicks over to it around 8 weeks (or whenever their chick food runs out), then everyone can eat the same feed and you won’t have to worry. Just provide oyster shell on the side for your layers; even if the youngsters experiment with it, they won’t eat enough to do any harm. Again, it’s long term feeding of excess calcium that causes issues. They will be fine in the short term.

I agree

 

[CluckerFamily]

Ok... so I’m having trouble understanding... you’re worried because the ducklings got ahold of some adult duck feed? Or a different kind of feed for a different animal.... I realized I never clarified which feeder you were refilling in the first place; assumed it was calcium in the layer feed you were concerned about. Forgive me, I’m only on my second cup of coffee lol

I believe the calcium in the layer feed is the concern. You are completely correct from what I am understanding from the original post.

 

[fatty and friends]

they should be fine just don’t let them get anymore. mazuri has a duck layer feed if you have all girls, but if you keep any drakes i recommend a normal duck feed with oyster shells on the side