Duck Feed Questions. Recommendations?

[nm4e]

I was hoping for some recommendations on feed for my ducks. They're six weeks old and currently eating Nature's Best Organic Duck Crumbles, 18% protein, 25 mg of Niacin per pound. Are they too old for 18% feed? Is that enough Niacin? They seem to like the food, and I've noticed an improvement in stools. It smells really nice when you open the bag, too.

They were started on Purina Flock Raiser Crumbles, which I was cutting back with some rolled oats when they were about three weeks old. I was adding brewer's yeast at the time, too, because I was unsure on the Niacin content.

 

[Isaac 0]

No, 18% protein is fine for ducklings, the problem with the bag you are using is the cost per pounds, its outrageous. I'm unsure why you stopped feeding them Purina raiser, it can be fed from hatch to point of lay, although once they are of laying age, a source of calcium should be provided. The niacin content should be adequate enough, but if you want you can add a source of niacin to the feed, like brewers yeast or nutritional yeast, at a ratio of one/two tablespoon per cup of feed.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/niacin-deficiency-in-waterfowl.1367557/

 

[Isaac 0]

I should add, if you begin feeding the Purina raiser feed, you don't need to reduce the protein content with oats. Also......Welcome to BackYard Chickens.

 

[nm4e]

I should add, if you begin feeding the Purina raiser feed, you don't need to reduce the protein content with oats. Also......Welcome to BackYard Chickens.

Thank you! I switched the food when my local feed store ran out of the smaller bags of flock raiser. I didn't think I could go through a 50 lb bag of feed fast enough. Ha!

 

[nm4e]

I should add, if you begin feeding the Purina raiser feed, you don't need to reduce the protein content with oats. Also......Welcome to BackYard Chickens.

One more question? Do I need to worry about B Complex vitamin supplements when everyone is healthy?

 

[Isaac 0]

One more question? Do I need to worry about B Complex vitamin supplements when everyone is healthy?

Given that you are feeding them a feed designed for waterfowl, adding a niacin supplement most likely wouldn't be needed, but if you'd like you could add one as a preventative measure.