argument about what to feed ducklings

[NiteHawk]

Howdy!
There seems to be a an argument rolling around the internet concerning what kind of feed you can feed baby ducklings.. some say chick feed is ok as long as it doesnt not have sulfa drugs in it, others say it will kill them.. Is there a commercial baby duckling feed available on the Canadian
market?
Or would finely ground rolled barley work in a pinch? I would prefer to use a commercial starter, but sometimes the local store is out of certain kinds of feed, and being Sunday they are closed today so cannot ask them..
thanks

 

[casportpony]

Read this, it should answer your questions on medicated feed:
Feeding Ducklings Medicated Feed - The Myths and the Truth

The problem with chick feed is that most do not contain enough niacin, other vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that ducklings need.

What part of Canada do you live in?

 

[sylviethecochin]

Metzer farms is the largest waterfowl hatchery in the United States, and they've published a list of the minimum requirements for feeding waterfowl through all stages of life: https://www.metzerfarms.com/NutritionalRequirements.cfm

If you can find a feed that matches the requirements listed above, you're golden.

 

[chickens really]

I feed a starter for Chickens , Ducks, Geese and Turkeys..

 

[ThreeOfSeven]

The feed I have for baby ducklings is called "starter/grower," but it's 22% protein. After 2-3 weeks, it's recommended that protein be reduced: 16-18% as per BYC pinned post and 17-19% as per Metzer Farms.

Sorry for being dense, but where do I find a "grower" feed/pellets? I googled, but it seemed like I was getting a lot of UK hits. (Knowing that some things have to smack me in the face to notice, and I might have zzzz'd out on what is available in the USA.)

 

[NiteHawk]

live in B.C. in a rural area..
Is barley an ok feed for adult ducks?

 

[chickens really]

live in B.C. in a rural area..
Is barley an ok feed for adult ducks?

No....

 

[ThreeOfSeven]

live in B.C. in a rural area..
Is barley an ok feed for adult ducks?

Can't answer that question, but I did see that "whole wheat" is good for wild ducklings. Of course, silly me, I immediately thought whole wheat flour. Duh! Now I'm wondering how to get my hands on real whole wheat or if there's a substitute.

 

[Miss Lydia]

You can order wheat non gmo or organic from Amazon this is wheat for grinding into flour so safe for humans and animals. Runner duck club rec feeding wheat to Runners putting it into a small container filled with water .

 

[casportpony]

live in B.C. in a rural area..
Is barley an ok feed for adult ducks?

No, but it would be an okay treat! For the majority of their diet you need to find something that meets the nutritional needs of an adult duck as listed on the Metzer site.
Let me see if I can find a member that lives in B.C to help you find a feed.