⠀ Chicks eating duckling starter??

[Thistledewfarm]

Has anyone raised chicks and ducklings together and started them both on duckling starter??
I just have read ducklings shouldn't have the medicated starter (I know there are lots of opinions on this)

Anyway just wondering if it's ok to give duckling starter to chicks?? Thanks

 

[Egghead_Jr]

I just looked up nutrition analysis on duck starter. It looks good. In reality it doesn't look any different than chick starter. If there is a cost difference then go with non medicated chick starter. Problem solved without being over charged. Non medicated is usually a dollar cheaper than medicated and I've found that sometimes simply changing the feed name without even going up in protein content will raise the price. Do a little homework on costs and nutritional analysis and decide. All bags should have the analysis tag on them at store. It's hard to find them online and not all brands publish other than tags on bag.

 

[Thistledewfarm]

I just looked up nutrition analysis on duck starter. It looks good. In reality it doesn't look any different than chick starter. If there is a cost difference then go with non medicated chick starter. Problem solved without being over charged. Non medicated is usually a dollar cheaper than medicated and I've found that sometimes simply changing the feed name without even going up in protein content will raise the price. Do a little homework on costs and nutritional analysis and decide. All bags should have the analysis tag on them at store. It's hard to find them online and not all brands publish other than tags on bag.

Thanks! Are little feed store only carries medicated chick starter or duckling starter so I don't have the option of non medicated!

I'll make sure to have a look at the nutrition on the tag when I go next

 

[Egghead_Jr]

What I meant by changing feed type is like going to a turkey or duck feed apposed to chicken feed and they can have the same protein content yet be more money simply due to what poultry they say it's for. Silly stuff like that happens for no reason other than the name on bag. My local feed mill doesn't charge extra but for some reason many, retailers for example, think it odd or even wrong to feed a turkey finisher to chickens. It's completely fine and done quite often. The feed is the same in that case as finisher is less protein so ends up right at chicken design and turkey feed doesn't have extra calcium added like layer feed which is nice when feeding mixed age flocks.

 

[DrPatrickBiggs]

Has anyone raised chicks and ducklings together and started them both on duckling starter??
I just have read ducklings shouldn't have the medicated starter (I know there are lots of opinions on this)

Anyway just wondering if it's ok to give duckling starter to chicks?? Thanks

For mixed flocks, Purina

Flock Raiser

provides ducklings and chicks the nutrition they need to grow well. You are correct that ducklings should not be fed medicated starter feed. Purina

Start & Grow and Flock Raiser

both have medicated options that are suitable for chickens, but the medication – amprolium – is not approved for use in ducks.
Read more here: http://www.purinamills.com/find-ans...n-medicated-vs-medicated-chick-starter-feeds/