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

[Oneacre Homestead]

Hi I keep reading about chicken flood not being good enough for my ducks and geese so I bought them something called flock raiser made by purina. Do any of you know if this is ok? It has a picture of a duck on it but also a chicken.

 

[FenDruadin]

According to Dave Holderread, Purina Flock Raiser is a complete diet for young waterfowl. He is almost always right.

However, this is one case where I have some doubt, because I know at least one case where someone raising some babies I had hatched was using Flock Raiser and had niacin deficiencies (which were easily corrected by adding niacin to the diet).

I asked Mr. Holderread about that when I spoke with him a few months later for an article I was writing. He said that even national brands use different formulations in different parts of the country, based on what is cheapest to use locally. He recommends Flock Raiser because they use it without problems and he doesn't know of any problems elsewhere, but he says it is possible that in our area, something about the formulation makes it less suitable. On the other hand, it's also possible that a mistake was made with the particular batch the gentleman was using, and that he would have been just fine with any other batch of Flock Raiser.

So, that's a long-winded answer. The short answer is yes, it's probably a perfectly adequate diet without additional niacin. But always be on the look-out for symptoms, just in case.

P.S. A picture of a duck on the package does not necessarily mean it's a complete formula for ducks. Many chick feed brands use ducks on their packaging too, even when they are not complete feeds for ducks. Just FYI.

 

[Oneacre Homestead]

Thanks so much!! I didn't want to just trust the picture, and when I asked the guy at the feed store he said, "oh yeah, ducks, chicks, anything."' so I didn't know if he knew what he was talking about.

 

[FenDruadin]

You are wise!

By the way, if you do use it, please keep us updated on whether it works out for you. I'd love to be able to recommend it to my buyers when I have ducklings, but I'm afraid to on account of the one customer's experience. But Holderread is, as I've said, nearly always right, and I really really want to trust him on this one too.

And of course, if you end up having to treat for niacin deficiency (which is not at all difficult and nearly always 100% successful if you do it early), I want to know that too and add it to my mental database.

Thanks.

 

[aineheartsyou]

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.

 

[dianaross77]

I used flock raiser for my ducklings from week 1 until week 6. Then I freaked out about the protein being too high when they started to get wing feathers. I didn't want angel wing so I switched them to a locally produced 16% duck pellet (Armada). Which is the only "duck food" I've been able to find.

 

[showjumper_girl2002]

Quote:
what is niacin and how can you tell if your ducks need it? i'm new to owning ducks and want to make sure they stay healthy and happy

 

[Speceider]

what is niacin and how can you tell if your ducks need it? i'm new to owning ducks and want to make sure they stay healthy and happy


Niacin is vitamen B3. It's recommended that a duck diet have 55mg/kg feed to meet their daily needs. Chickens need alot less, so most chicken feeds are low in niacin so supplementation (free-range, brewer's yeast, tablets) are one option. Usually the first signs of a deficiencyare leg weakness.

Clint

 

[Miss Lydia]

I have always used FR since we can't get feed specifically for water fowl and having chickens it's just easier. but now that my duckling is starting to get her wing feathers in I am cutting the protein with oats. Never had to do it before when mama raised them.

 

[bock]

I have raised all my ducklings on flock raiser, they all turned out to be very happy, healthy birds! It is also way easier when they are hatched by their mom, that way the adult chickens, ducks, occasional chick, and turkey can eat it too without problems. The only think I would change is make it pellets instead of crumbles, they waste a lot!