Does "flock raiser" have enough niacin for ducks and geese?

[Miss Lydia]

Hi thanks I live in Canada so we don't have the same feed. They are eight weeks old. Only one out of four is acting sick there was another one but she seems to be doing ok. This one was the smallest one. My husband got chicken layer instead of chicken finisher and we where feeding that to them for about two weeks when the fowl food finished. The first thing i noticed was her tail started hanging low then she couldn't walk for long distance. We switched the food to a fowl food but it had 20 percent protein so went to the chicken finisher which has 17 percent protein. We also put them in with our year old ducks. At about the same time. I don't think we have any drakes. The three all lay eggs. I also started we call her runty on polyvisol a few drops everyday and the plain niacin in their water.runty has been unwell for about five days now and we have been trying to treat her for the last two. Runty is by herself in the garage with straw and food and water close by she does stand and walk a bit but is very weak. We put her in water three times a day. Her belly is wet we dry it off. We had a heat lamp but it got too warm so that is off now. I also syringes some electrolytes down her two days in a row. Then I gave her yogart with honey last night hoping to get her gut back to normal. She does eat. I put one crushed tab of brewers yeast in her food. We let her see her friends and she quakes loudly and they respond to her. So if there is more i can do let me know. Her feathers look good. She seems alert when she is not resting cackles when we go to see her. The other thing is my daughter sprayed some paint on them so we can tell them apart I wonder if she got poisoned from that. The others are fine.

Don't over do on honey it can also cause low blood sugar the same as sugar can if she isn't eating enough to counter the amount of sugars in her blood stream. You might also want to think she could have been born with a heart condition that is just now showing up as she is growing, hopefully this is not the case but you have to be prepared if she did continue to go down hill. what made me think of that was the breathing you have seen. If you could bring in one of her flock mates to stay with her might perk her up too, they really don't do well in isolation. Just keep up what you are doing and hopefully you'll begin to see improvement soon.

Yes we tried frozen peas in her swim last night and she ate some of them. My husband also has given her two minnows for two days and she seemed to love those too. She breaths a bit fast when she exerts herself. Otherwise her breath sounds are normal. Her eyes are clear lean. She ties to prune herself but is weak so not able to do a good job

 

[tagamigi]

That did cross my mind since I am a nurse that it could be her heart I guess time will tell. ((((

 

[Miss Lydia]

That did cross my mind since I am a nurse that it could be her heart I guess time will tell.

((((

Lets hope not, TLC and time may just bring her through.

 

[tagamigi]

That's what I am hoping her wings are so heavy for her today they drag low to she is still eating and drinking her poo was normal today so we are hoping she will come around I will give her a week the have to decide what to do thanks for you help

 

[Britesea]

I use Flock Raiser without adding any niacin to their water. I do provide them with a lot of treats, peas, leafy greens, fruits and veggies, and they free range as soon as they are old enough.

I have my first batch of ducklings coming this week (tomorrow is shipping day). I was buying supplies yesterday and the guy at the feed store suggested I start with Purina Start & Grow (17% protein). He pointed out that it had hydrolized yeast in it for the niacin. Now I'm wondering if I should take it back and exchange it for the Flock Raiser? And should I get some Brewer's Yeast too? I also picked up some NutriDrench and some Probiotic Chick Boost (has probiotics, vitamins and electrolytes).

 

[Miss Lydia]

That's what I am hoping her wings are so heavy for her today they drag low to she is still eating and drinking her poo was normal today so we are hoping she will come around I will give her a week the have to decide what to do thanks for you help

Please keep us updated on how she is doing,.

I have my first batch of ducklings coming this week (tomorrow is shipping day). I was buying supplies yesterday and the guy at the feed store suggested I start with Purina Start & Grow (17% protein). He pointed out that it had hydrolized yeast in it for the niacin. Now I'm wondering if I should take it back and exchange it for the Flock Raiser? And should I get some Brewer's Yeast too? I also picked up some NutriDrench and some Probiotic Chick Boost (has probiotics, vitamins and electrolytes).

I like Flock raiser because it is for all flocks and suppose to have enough niacin for ducklings although I still add Brewers yeast to my feed. [I have chickens/geese also]. and I have drakes and a gander and roosters and don't like to feed them the extra calcium in the layer so I stay with All flock. Go on the Purina web site and it will tell you what is the best feed then you can decide for yourself. Another reason I don't use start N grow is my flock runs together and I'd have to feed all of them Starter so I choose the all flock. I have always used the Ntri Drench for my chicks and ducklings first week everyday in their water second week 3X a week after that only 1X a week and during molt they get it everyday. [stressful time for them.] I've never used the chick boost but sounds like good stuff but I don't think I'd use the ND and it on the same days. look forward to seeing your little ones when they arrive.

 

[tagamigi]

So little runty heard the other ducks outside in the yard she raised such a ruckus we let her out. Boy did she go she was still weak but we are thinking maybe she is coming around we are really hoping. She had a good bath ate a bit with the other ducks then she was done layer down and resting but up she got again and started cleaning her belly area as it has been wet even though we try to dry it. I don't know if it is poo her nest is dry. We think she is on the mend this will show us for sure. It is so exciting she was sooooooo weak. Just is three days of treatment and a lot of tlc. I really think the minnows helped too. She just loves them.

 

[Miss Lydia]

So little runty heard the other ducks outside in the yard she raised such a ruckus we let her out. Boy did she go she was still weak but we are thinking maybe she is coming around we are really hoping. She had a good bath ate a bit with the other ducks then she was done layer down and resting but up she got again and started cleaning her belly area as it has been wet even though we try to dry it. I don't know if it is poo her nest is dry. We think she is on the mend this will show us for sure. It is so exciting she was sooooooo weak. Just is three days of treatment and a lot of tlc. I really think the minnows helped too. She just loves them.

Great news and keep up with what your doing, sounds like she is on the mend. Yay!!!

 

[tagamigi]

So little runty is doing well. It was niacin deficiency for sure. She is so tiny now from losing weight and all but can keep up with the other ducks just fine. Thank you for the advice. I don't think she would be here.

 

[Miss Lydia]

So little runty is doing well. It was niacin deficiency for sure. She is so tiny now from losing weight and all but can keep up with the other ducks just fine. Thank you for the advice. I don't think she would be here.

Wonderful news!!!