A few questions

[savagefreedom]

Because after posting on a Facebook duck page. I am throughly convinced I have ruined my ducklings future health and have pretty much killed them. I was told anytime they slip in their pie dish it is causing leg injuries and that I should avoid giving them anything but water in a deep bowl that they can only dip their beak. And that ACV will dry them out and has been burning their gizzards, croup and instentines. I have five that are between 4-6 weeks of age. I am new to duckling. But have had chickens and other sorts of birds like parrots. I have three Ancona and 2 Magpie ducklings. I see all kinds of varying information on feeding greens to ducklings. My little guys love greens mixed with ACV/water in a pie dish. And I am wondering what veggies and fruit I can feed the ducklings and the frequency. I see so much differentiation information in books and online and I am terrified of causing a niacin deficiency. Or oxalic acid poisoning . And are other things like yogurt soaked oatmeal. Are there any good vitamins or probiotics. What other treats are good for ducklings. I have read a few books. But now upset that I hurt my ducklings by giving them anything but bagged food. So should I take them to a vet. What is the best food. How can I prevent leg injuries. Sorry I am really upset that I might have hurt my ducks. Can my kids give them peas as treats or are they to young? Is their anything I can do to corr vet that damage from my the ACV?

Worried Duck Mom

 

[PirateGirl]

If your ducklings are acting normal, don't fret too much.

Have you found the DUCK STICKY TOPICS yet? There is so much great info here, bookmark it for future reference. This includes and article on treats!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/ducks-sticky-topics-index.256233/

If your ducklings are in a brooder and not on dirt/gravel ground, and they are eating anything other than bagged feed, they may need grit to help digest it, so offer some chick grit in a small dish on the side just like you probably do with your chickens.

Depending what feed you are giving will determine if they need added Niacin, and this is just while growing (so when they are ducklings, not their entire lives).

ACV is controversial and may or may not help them. The generally accepted amount is approximately 1 tablespoon per gallon of water. You will get lots of opinions on this, but as long as it's diluted it shouldn't hurt.

They do need water they can dunk their heads in, but not climb in because you don't want them making a huge mess or getting soaked and chilled. I will get you a picture of the waterer I made. It has been in the brooder 24 hours and the shavings are dry!

Obviously you don't want them to get hurt. Make sure they have some bedding or a towel in the brooder so they have traction when they walk. Even if they get hurt, it's not the end of the world. I have one duck I adopted with a limp she has had about her whole life, she gets along just fine Don't stress! You are doing your best

 

[Miss Lydia]

I don't think you have killed or maimed your ducklings for life. ACV is a great tonic and has quite a few beneficial qualities to it I wouldn't use it everyday I put it into my ducks water bucket a couple times a week 1Tab to a gal of water.
If they are 4-6 weeks of age and have sturdy legs than I'd say letting them play in their pie plate sure hasn't hurt them . Only thing is when they are young is making sure they aren't running or walking on slippery surfaces. Greens are fine to feed even spinach in very small amount but you want to be sure and offer chick grit if offering anything other than their starter feed.

Most of us give our poultry including our duckling bagged food just not [layer] since it's very hard to make up an appropriate feed that meets all their nutrient values. And to keep leg issues at bay supplement with Brewers yeast or Nutritional yeast sprinkled over their feed till 10 weeks of age. Unless your feeding a water fowl feed. Then you may not need to supplement.

Ducklings love to play in water so giving them bath time daily is not only fun but also gets the preen glad working so yes let them play in water.

I think you are doing great Duck Mom.

 

[PirateGirl]

Find something in your recycling that will hold enough water for the amount of ducks you have. Cut a few holes in the side big enough the ducklings can get their whole head in to drink and dunk but can't climb in. Fill with water up to the hole. You may have to show them how to use it at first but they love water so they get it quick!

 

[Miss Lydia]

On the link PirateGirl gave you there is a list of treats for ducks that are safe.

 

[chickens really]

Hello...The simple way is just fresh water and feed..They do not require ACV and yes it can dry out nares.
Veggies are great as are peas. Not all Ducklings will suffer from a niacin deficiency. Fresh grass while foraging provides niacin too. Buy a Feed that states Ducks can eat it too.
I use these water containers till outside and then livestock bowls..

 

[CayugaJana]

Because after posting on a Facebook duck page. I am throughly convinced I have ruined my ducklings future health and have pretty much killed them. I was told anytime they slip in their pie dish it is causing leg injuries and that I should avoid giving them anything but water in a deep bowl that they can only dip their beak. And that ACV will dry them out and has been burning their gizzards, croup and instentines. I have five that are between 4-6 weeks of age. I am new to duckling. But have had chickens and other sorts of birds like parrots. I have three Ancona and 2 Magpie ducklings. I see all kinds of varying information on feeding greens to ducklings. My little guys love greens mixed with ACV/water in a pie dish. And I am wondering what veggies and fruit I can feed the ducklings and the frequency. I see so much differentiation information in books and online and I am terrified of causing a niacin deficiency. Or oxalic acid poisoning . And are other things like yogurt soaked oatmeal. Are there any good vitamins or probiotics. What other treats are good for ducklings. I have read a few books. But now upset that I hurt my ducklings by giving them anything but bagged food. So should I take them to a vet. What is the best food. How can I prevent leg injuries. Sorry I am really upset that I might have hurt my ducks. Can my kids give them peas as treats or are they to young? Is their anything I can do to corr vet that damage from my the ACV?

Worried Duck Mom

I am on a FB duck page and I get so annoyed with some of the comments. The suggestions are ridiculous. They want you to spend your entire life’s savings on them and treat them as if they are crystal glass. So don’t take everything on face value.

You are probably just fine. You haven’t damaged them. Yes you can give them peas. Just make sure they have access to some sort of pebble or sand type grit to help them smash it up in their crop. Just like they would in the wild. It’s like most things, in moderation will be just fine. I even give mine spinach if I have some leftover from making salads and is getting ready to go bad. Some people get upset about giving ducks spinach because it blocks calcium absorption. Which is true, but it’s very temporary and not permanent. Plus the other nutrients they are getting from it is fantastic. Now if you gave it to them all the time, it could be a problem. I know @onaharley gave her ducks kale treats everyday. Kale is awesome, but her vet told her to cut back a little because it was making her Pekin yellow. He was getting a little too much. And now he’s absolutely fine. Just use your common sense and moderation and they will be FINE. Ducks are so disease resistant! Keep them away from predators is the main thing and they will be happy campers.

 

[Miss Lydia]

 

[Miss Lydia]

https://poultrykeeper.com/health-suppliments/apple-cider-vinegar/ I have put ACV into my flocks drinking water for years and they have never had any problems with it, again it's moderation. I use it too for myself.

 

[PirateGirl]

@CayugaJana is right, don't worry about facebook. It's not that complicated, food, water, warmth, protection. That's it. The only thing I bought "special" when I brought home my ducklings was a $7 bottle of nutridrench to have on hand just in case. I figured it's one of those things that it doesn't hurt to have anyway for any of my birds since there's nowhere close to my house to get poultry supplies. They don't care what their brooder looks like or what you spent on it, they don't care if they have a fancy feeder or waterer or if you pulled something from the recycling. They care that the housecat can't eat them, they care that they have water, they care that they are warm enough to thrive. You got this!