Is all flock feed of for laying bends?

[CalliBee]

hi again,

So after my small flock I had for a few years was wiped out last year by a bobcat, I purchased 12 chickens (and some ducks) this season and one of the girls has turned out to be a roo. So I have some questions about feeding.

I use to give my old hens Dumor 16% layer pellet all year around. Now that I have ducks I’m giving them dumor all flock feed.
But I was reading the back of the 16% layer feed and noticed it says only give to hens that are currently laying and to alternate when production slowed down for the season.
So my first question is do hens NEED layer pellets? Would it be a problem if I just fed all flock feed all year around? Or would it be best to alternate?

My second question is, that if it IS best to feed the layer pellets when necessary, is it ok if my roo and my drakes consume it? Everyone shares the feeders and the bag also says not to give to males.

Hope that isn’t too confusing!
Thanks for any help

 

[HappyClucker7]

You can feed All Flock, and then also give oyster shells on the side for the hens.

 

[aart]

Would it be a problem if I just fed all flock feed all year around?

Nope.
Just provide calcium for the active layers.
I've fed nothing but ll flock for 9 years, Oyster Shells in a separate container.

 

[Brooks_]

Agree with above. I would encourage looking for a better all flock as Dumor is a little low on protein and to be aware of the niacin needs of waterfowl.

 

[CalliBee]

Uh durr I didn’t even think of oyster shells Thanks!!

And as for niacin I’ve been adding b complex to their water for the ducklings

 

[Brooks_]

And as for niacin I’ve been adding b complex to their water for the ducklings

I'll tag the resident nutritionist for advice here. @U_Stormcrow , any issue with b-complex in the water for ducks and chicks?

 

[CalliBee]

I'll tag the resident nutritionist for advice here. @U_Stormcrow , any issue with b-complex in the water for ducks and chicks?

Nope none so far! It’s actually helped with a lot of issues I was having before. This is my first year with ducks so I was new to everything waterfowl. A couple of them started showing signs of a niacin deficiency even though I was using yeast. I just switched over to B complex, it cured my sick ones right up, and everything I read said the extra boost in vitamins can be great for my chicks. Been using it ever since! So much cheaper than buying yeast, lasts much longer, and is great to have around in case any other illnesses come about(fingers crossed that there isn’t!).

Hoping I can start to cut back on using as much as soon as my younger ducklings are old enough (I have two 11 week old Pekin’s and six 6 week old anaconas)

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Good advice above. All Flock for all your birds, all thier lives, without regard to age gender, start of lay, condition of molt. Free choice grit, oyster shell, good clean water on the side.
Sadly, USDA does not require niacin levels to be printed on guaranteed nutritional labels.

While a BYC poster contacted Purina and Nutrena years ago, to verify that the niacin levels met the needs of ADULT ducks, we don't know if that info remains accurate, and don't know the actual levels so we can check if they meet the needs of hatchling ducks (which are higher). Adding a niacin suppliment - either yeast or a B-complex - is common "insurance" against deficiencies, and won't hurt your chicks.

That said, if you feed medicated, be aware that B-complex, and plenty of fortified yeast products, are also quite high in vitamin B1 - Thiamine, which will render the amprolium in your medicated feed either less effective or completely ineffective.

 

[CalliBee]

Good advice above. All Flock for all your birds, all thier lives, without regard to age gender, start of lay, condition of molt. Free choice grit, oyster shell, good clean water on the side.
Sadly, USDA does not require niacin levels to be printed on guaranteed nutritional labels.

While a BYC poster contacted Purina and Nutrena years ago, to verify that the niacin levels met the needs of ADULT ducks, we don't know if that info remains accurate, and don't know the actual levels so we can check if they meet the needs of hatchling ducks (which are higher). Adding a niacin suppliment - either yeast or a B-complex - is common "insurance" against deficiencies, and won't hurt your chicks.

That said, if you feed medicated, be aware that B-complex, and plenty of fortified yeast products, are also quite high in vitamin B1 - Thiamine, which will render the amprolium in your medicated feed either less effective or completely ineffective.

Thanks so much! I will definitely be using all of y’all’s suggestions.

I truly don’t understand how come most companies don’t put niacin in their ALL. FLOCK. feed? It really baffles me!
If they do put any, it definitely doesn’t reach the standard for my baby ducklings. Almost all of them had some issues due to not having enough niacin, before I even started using brewers yeast. Luckily everything is back on track for their growth and development now.

And I’ve read that medicated feed is bad for ducks due to over dosing so I’ve refrained from doing so.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Thanks so much! I will definitely be using all of y’all’s suggestions.

I truly don’t understand how come most companies don’t put niacin in their ALL. FLOCK. feed? It really baffles me!
If they do put any, it definitely doesn’t reach the standard for my baby ducklings. Almost all of them had some issues due to not having enough niacin, before I even started using brewers yeast. Luckily everything is back on track for their growth and development now.

And I’ve read that medicated feed is bad for ducks due to over dosing so I’ve refrained from doing so.

They do. Its on all of their ingredient lists. They just don't say HOW MUCH niacin is in their feed. Very frustrating for people like me.

That said, I'm glad we don't live in the EU. Their labelling on feed bags is absolute bare bones. I don't see how anyone across the pond can try to be an educated consumer in their purchases, there's almost no information given on which to base a comparison.

Medicated or not is a very personal decision, specific to individual circumstances. I feed medicated because all of the feed from the mill I buy from is medicated. So its that, or increase my feed costs substantially. I've not had a significant coccidia issue, and these are (or were) virgin grounds when we cleared a few acres of forest and started our flock. I'd be just as happy without it. Others, who have had severe outbreaks on their property definitely benefit from the availability of medicated feeds. Likewise those bringing in chicks from foreign sources.

I've not run across anything about medicated feed being bad for ducklings - which seem rather brittle creatures, honestly, but I've not looked specifically either. Maybe I'll hunt this weekend, if I get high speed data back on my cell phone plan by then. TY for alerting me to the issue so I know to research it now. Much appreciated.