Will my ducks start laying this fall?

[nobueno]

I have Welsh harlequins and pilgrim geese that will be 20 weeks old this week. Since the days are getting shorter I'm not sure if they'll start laying this fall or if they'll wait til spring. My biggest concern is if I should I be starting them on layer feed or not...

 

[PirateGirl]

I would not feed layer feed until they are actually laying.

 

[nobueno]

I would not feed layer feed until they are actually laying.

I only asked because Holderread says this:

"To lay well and not deplete the body of minerals (especially calcium) and vitamins, ducks need to eat a laying feed 2 to 3 weeks prior to and throughout the laying season."

 

[Hawgfan]

My Pekin hen, hatched on 4/25, didn't lay until the following spring. She stopped laying around the first of September. I suspect yours will wait until next year. It is my understanding that this is far to late in the year for your geese. Wait until they lay for layer, or better yet, don't feed layer at all. I have never fed layer for ducks or chickens, and never will. I use a 20% all flock feed, with oyster shell on the side. Others do this successfully as well. I never have to worry about what type or age of birds are in the pen. I find it far easier this way. I don't know if my duck eats the oyster shell or not, but her eggs have really thick shells.

 

[nobueno]

My Pekin hen, hatched on 4/25, didn't lay until the following spring. She stopped laying around the first of September. I suspect yours will wait until next year. It is my understanding that this is far to late in the year for your geese. Wait until they lay for layer, or better yet, don't feed layer at all. I have never fed layer for ducks or chickens, and never will. I use a 20% all flock feed, with oyster shell on the side. Others do this successfully as well. I never have to worry about what type or age of birds are in the pen. I find it far easier this way. I don't know if my duck eats the oyster shell or not, but her eggs have really thick shells.

Thanks! Good advice.

 

[snow5164]

I agree with Holderread, they need to build up calcium before they lay . Also what if one is laying and the others are not ?

My ducks have oyster shell calcium in a dish , they seem to pick at it along with the grit stones , maybe add a dish of those things and see if they eat it ...

 

[PirateGirl]

You could start offering oyster shell on the side and switch to layer if you like once one lays. I just feed everyone all flock all the time with oyster shell and egg shells on the side.

If you look at the feed comparison chart, and select the tab at the bottom that says all flock, you can see/compare how much calcium is in each brand and select one with a higher calcium level if you are concerned.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...3Bt5CUQfX1PlTEhg799sDT-qM/edit#gid=1546502806

 

[karissapaul]

they'll start laying in spring

 

[nobueno]

I agree with Holderread, they need to build up calcium before they lay . Also what if one is laying and the others are not ?

My ducks have oyster shell calcium in a dish , they seem to pick at it along with the grit stones , maybe add a dish of those things and see if they eat it ...

Do you have a way to stop them from tipping it over. My ducks tip over every single bowl/dish/container that I fill up with grit. I hope to avoid buying another galvanized feeder just for oyster she'll and grit .

 

[PirateGirl]

Do you have a way to stop them from tipping it over. My ducks tip over every single bowl/dish/container that I fill up with grit. I hope to avoid buying another galvanized feeder just for oyster she'll and grit .

Same here. They don't seem to tip the food bowl, but the smaller bowls get spilled constantly. I gave up and figure they will eat it off the ground. I've thought about switching to no tip dog/cat bowls. The ones shaped like this, where the base is wider than the top, so even if they stand on them they shouldn't flip.

https://www.chewy.com/loving-pets-stainless-steel-no-tip/dp/39509