Mixed Flock Feeding Advice Needed

Aunt Angus · 2022-07-15T12:25:26-0500

I have a mixed flock of 8 laying hens, 2 laying pullets, 5 chicks, 5 laying ducks, a rooster and a cockerel. I feed all flock pellet with added nutritional yeast and oyster shell on the side.

My ducks have been having egg quality and laying issues lately (I have consulted numerous vets). I have been giving them extra calcium, but it is HARD to do. I've tried calcium gluconate on peas, calcium gluconate to each of my 5 ducks directly, tums, calcium pills in their bills. None have been easy to do - not even the peas! And administering anything to them directly is time consuming, and they are starting to fear me.

I was wondering if anyone has ideas to make this manageable and avoid a coup in the coop. We hope to separate the ducks soon, but it's just not possible right now.

Would mixing layer into the feed be too much calcium for my fellas?

BrooksHatlen · 2022-07-15T12:54:44-0500

For short term, I would say it's fine. Dosage is the poison.

Aunt Angus · 2022-07-15T12:58:06-0500

BrooksHatlen said:
For short term, I would say it's fine. Dosage is the poison.

How long is "short term?"

The ducks' laying issues are serious - like life-threateningly so. I have one who has been egg bound twice and another with internal laying. But I don't want to kill my boys with calcium.

Aunt Angus · 2022-07-15T12:58:55-0500

And thank you for replying! It's been a difficult time at Auntie's farm.

BrooksHatlen · 2022-07-15T13:04:34-0500

Aunt Angus said:
How long is "short term?"

The ducks' laying issues are serious - like life-threateningly so. I have one who has been egg bound twice and another with internal laying. But I don't want to kill my boys with calcium.

I'd have to use the @U_Stormcrow signal for something more concrete than the recent anecdote I read. It was about 4 years to be life threatening to the roos.

Aunt Angus · 2022-07-15T13:12:19-0500

BrooksHatlen said:
I'd have to use the @U_Stormcrow signal for something more concrete than the recent anecdote I read. It was about 4 years to be life threatening to the roos.

DEFINITELY won't be that long. It's my itty bitty tiny Sebright rooster who I worry about. He's got equally itty bitty kidneys and liver. But 4 years is a mighty long time, and if it's only a portion of his diet...

I will add a bag of layer in with their all flock. Give it a go. I should know pretty quick if it's benefitting the ducks.

BrooksHatlen · 2022-07-15T13:16:29-0500

Aunt Angus said:
DEFINITELY won't be that long. It's my itty bitty tiny Sebright rooster who I worry about. He's got equally itty bitty kidneys and liver. But 4 years is a mighty long time, and if it's only a portion of his diet...

I will add a bag of layer in with their all flock. Give it a go. I should know pretty quick if it's benefitting the ducks.

The physiology should be the same, regardless of size. In a similar situation, I would be fine with trying it for a few months.

Kiki · 2022-07-15T13:16:44-0500

Your boys are more likely to die of old age than issues from eating layer feed.

You girls will suffer longer and sooner by not eating enough calcium.

BrooksHatlen · 2022-07-15T13:17:27-0500

Aunt Angus said:
I should know pretty quick if it's benefitting the ducks.

I am confident that you will.

Weeg · 2022-07-15T19:43:03-0500

I agree that layer is not going to be a problem unless you feed it for multiple years. Beg it would be fine to switch short term.

Mixed Flock Feeding Advice Needed

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