do I need to give niacin to my ducklings if they eat flock raiser?

[jujubean99]

the title says it all. I got some new duckies and i want them to be happy and healthy. I am wondering if, in addition to the flockraiser, I need to add niacin to their diet. If so, how much, how often, and which is better: brewers yeast of tablets?
Thanks!!!

 

[Amiga]

I looked for information on how much niacin is in the flock raiser, "we add plenty . . . blah, blah" But did not find out how much is "plenty."

So, I found this topic, fairly recently from the Duck Forum:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=3838464

 

[Amiga]

By the way, Storey's Guide indicates that in the case of niacin deficiency, to get the ducklings on 100 to 150 mg niacin per gallon of water until they are 8 (or was it 10) weeks old.

 

[maralynn28]

I was wondering the same thing, but the purina website said it has high levels of niacin (not sure how high) and the feed store said that all I have to give mine were the flock raiser until laying age then to switch them to the layena or mix flock raiser WITH layena. Duckies have been on it only 2 days but they seem to be doing great. One thing though, they did get into the bedding and my dd gave them a little green and although they seemed ok, they've been pooping a lot more and seem happier after I added some grit as to Amiga's suggestion.

on the side: Thanks Amiga!

I think I'm going to just go with previous suggestions from feed store, and if I notice leg problems switch it? would that be ok? If I get a chance I will get brewers yeast but I'm having a *quack* of a time finding brewers yeast...I may have to drive a ways away to find some.

 

[MuranoFarms]

Quote:
We got ours at petco. Walmart has it too.

 

[duckyfromoz]

Ducklings need about twice the daily requirement of chickens- However- the actual ration needed by each is such a small amount- 30mg/kg for chickens and 55 mg/kg for ducks. I have never needed to add niacin to the diet of the 100s of ducklings I have raised over the years-

Consider the fact - Ducklings actually eat more than chickens- and therefore are getting a higher daily intake of the required nutrients.

It is very important to read the label on the packs of the feed you buy- and purchase the one that is a produced as a whole diet, The manufacturers have considered years of reaseach into the dietary requirements of poultry and produce a feed that is in line with those requirements.
Ducklings that have been shipped or have not had access to feed in the first two - three days of life may have the need for a boost of some essentual vitamins and minerals for a few days to gain strength.

 

[Friend2Fowl]

I only use flock raiser for mine, and have had problems with ducklings when I didn't add extra. I would just to be safe

 

[redhen]

I have brewers yeast in powder form... I just add it to their feed...
Is that okay? How much should i add?

 

[katharinad]

I give mine vitamin water for the first week in their food. They basically have a waterer. One small bowl with feed, and one small bowl with feed mixed with vitamin water. I'm using GQF Vitamin Plus . It mixes even in small quantities. A normal mixing is 1 teaspoon per 1 gallon. I usually mix half of it and store it in the fridge. This pack goes a long way and stores nicely in a mason jar. One pack is enough for 32 gallons.

It contains citric and sorbic acids, sodium citrate, salt, potassium choride, zink sulfate, ferrous sulfate, magnesium sulfate, dextrose, vanillin, vitamin a acetate, d-activaeted animal sterol (source of vitamin d3), d1-alpha tocopherol acetate, riboflain supplement, niacin, calcium pantothenate, menadione sodium bisulfite complex, folic acid, thiamin mononitrate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, d-biotin, dried exterococcus faeckum fermentation product, dried lactobacillus acidolphilus fermentation product, dried aspergillus niger fermentation extract, dried bacullus subtilis fermentation extract.

Guarnteed analysys per pound:
salt 5-6%
potassium min 1.5%
magnesium 0.25% min
vitamin a 550,000 IU min
vitamin d 80,000 IU min
vitamin e 800 IU min
menadione 1mg min
niacin 1,200mg min
thiamin 50mg min
riboflavin 50mg min
d-pantothenic acid 400mg min
pyridoxine 60mg min
folic acid 30mg min
biotin 6mg min
lactobacillus acidophilus 4.5 billion CFU min
enterococcus faecium 4.5 billion CFU min

Katharina

 

[maralynn28]

Quote:
We got ours at petco. Walmart has it too.

Can you tell me what section?!?!?