Duck feed

[Featherlove23]

Can ducks eat chicken feed? Or can chickens eat duck feed? I'm raising both in the same brooder and they are thriving together and inseparable. They are eating chick starter and doing fine. But they won't be on that forever. I would like to keep them on the same thing since they will be in the same pen together. I've never had ducks before and learning more and more as I go. Is there an any poultry feed?

 

[SilverBirds]

Are you giving the ducklings niacin along with the chick feed? Ducklings need a lot more niacin that doesn't come in chick food so make sure you are adding it.

I give my ducks and chickens the same chicken layer feed. There is also a flock raiser that is meant for roosters and ducks but lacks the calcium needed for laying hens.

 

[GermanKennhuhn]

 

[Quatie]

I have found a lot of the chick feeds have the same amount naicin as many duck feeds. So you will need to look at how much naicin is in the chick feed, which can be tricky to find. However both feeds often only contain the minimum amount of naicin ducks need. This may not be true for all duck feeds, but it has been true for all the ones I have researched so far. That can work fine for some ducks, but some breeds like Pekin need more the minimum. So even with duck feed you will likely want to add extra naicin for growing ducklings. Most of us add brewer's yeast or nutrition yeast to increase the naicin levels.

 

[Featherlove23]

I have found a lot of the chick feeds have the same amount naicin as many duck feeds. So you will need to look at how much naicin is in the chick feed, which can be tricky to find. However both feeds often only contain the minimum amount of naicin ducks need. This may not be true for all duck feeds, but it has been true for all the ones I have researched so far. That can work fine for some ducks, but some breeds like Pekin need more the minimum. So even with duck feed you will likely want to add extra naicin for growing ducklings. Most of us add brewer's yeast or nutrition yeast to increase the naicin levels.

Where can I buy naicin? The chick feed I got is sold by the pound so I have so I have no idea what the nutrition facts are.

 

[Featherlove23]

Where can I buy naicin? The chick feed I got is sold by the pound so I have so I have no idea what the nutrition facts are.

I also give them mealworms everyday. I've heard they are a great source for protein. And my ducks love them. They eat them so fast my baby chicks don't get a chance to get much. Once I move them outside while they're old enough I'll be putting minnows in there pool.

 

[casportpony]

Welcome to BYC. You should look into buying an all flock feed for them.

 

[Callender Girl]

All of my runner ducks were raised on chick feed when they were small, supplemented by frozen peas to boost their niacin intake. I have seen some debate on whether the peas were the best choice, but it was what I had access to, and all of my ducks grew up just fine.

As adults, the ducks and chickens all got the same feed for years; about a year ago, one of the local farm stores started carrying a duck feed, so the runners get that. But, again, they seemed to do fine with an all-flock feed for years.

 

[Quatie]

Where can I buy naicin? The chick feed I got is sold by the pound so I have so I have no idea what the nutrition facts are.

If you want to get something to add. You can find nutritional yeast or Brewer's yeast on Amazon. I believe some people have also purchased nutritional yeast at walmart. Rooster booster also makes some supplements that you can top food or add to water, which you can get at TSC or online.

Pet stores also often sell a brewers yeast pill that you can smash up. Or lastly you can get niacin pills at a pharmacy. All the niacin pills I have seen at pharmacy are gel capsules. I have used them in a pinch, but I am not as big of a fan of them. They were just a gooey mess to deal with.

 

[Dana_2022]

You don't need a specific duck food - they are too expensive anyway. Chick Starter/Grower, Chick Grower/Finisher, & Layer crumble for chickens works fine, preferably Purina or Poulin brand, if you can get it. And again, add niacin/ brewers yeast. You would save a lot buying your feed in 25 or 50 lb bags, and it stays fresh for about 3 weeks after purchase. You can locate Tractor Supply Co. stores near you on their website, or order online from them and have the feed shipped to you.