what to feed ducklings

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chicksooner

chicksooner

Songster
7 Years
Aug 19, 2012
1,802
78
161
Oklahoma
My little guy picked out 2 ducklings at the feed store yesterday. I have them on chick starter but was wondering if the need grit like chickens before they get any extra treats. Also is there somewhere that lists what they can/cannot eat?
 
Your chick starter should already contain Grit. I would sprinkle a little extra over it when you plan on feeding treats.
 
It's not necessary to give them Niacin and you really shouldn't automatically give it to them as a matter of course. It should only be used if they are having leg issues. Most research is showing that it's more times than not, not necessary. I have 5 ducks that never received an ounce of it, and they are grown up & in wonderful condition now.

They will only need grit if/when you begin giving them treats. Congrats - post some pics! We love to see pics!!

ETA: Note this paragraph found on Metzer Farms' website:

If you are not using a balanced chick starter designed for broiler chicks or game birds, you may have problems. If you are using a chick starter developed exclusively for laying chickens, it probably does not have enough niacin. Do not make their diet exclusively whole grains, like Chicken Scratch. On very rare occasions, the lack of niacin could be from a mistake at the feed mill.

I've never been a big proponent of adding something the diet of livestock because they "may" need it. In this case, I would closely monitor your ducklings and, if you see a problem, then go ahead & supplement for it. If you check out the Metzer Farms' website, they have a few pictures of ducks suffering from Niacin deficiency - see here:

http://metzerfarms.blogspot.com/2011/03/are-my-ducklings-leg-problems-due-to.html
 
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I've never been able to get waterfowl or broiler starter anywhere that I have lived. I feed chick starter to my ducklings and I add niacin to there water for the first few weeks. I'd rather give them something that they require just in case rather than wait and treat a leg problem.
 
jdywntr said:
I've never been able to get waterfowl or broiler starter anywhere that I have lived. I feed chick starter to my ducklings and I add niacin to there water for the first few weeks. I'd rather give them something that they require just in case rather than wait and treat a leg problem.
Click to expand...
I have always feed Flock Raiser and never given Niacin but my ducks free range all day so I guess they haven't needed the extra niacin, I don't think it would hurt them to have some niacin especially if the ducklings weren't able to get outside and forage. I did add Brewers yeast to my lone ducklings feed last year because he was with us for the first 3 months of his life more than the rest of the flock.
 
I do what ML does, the flock raiser plus my babies do have access to outside... i haven't had any issues(knock on wood lol) with this and have now successfully raised multiple ducklings with this method.
 
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