Duck Food Question

[vlapinta]

We are getting ready for the arrival of our baby duckies next week. The feed store has chick feed available. It is not medicated. They sell it in a 50# bag, nothing smaller. I think he said it has 20% protein. I read this is good to start and then you should change to less protein. We are expecting 6 babies so can we continue to use the chick feed because 50# is a lot for only 6 babies? Also do we sprinkle some kind of grit in their food? What should we use?

Vicki & Jaime

 

[Hennyhandler]

I have been in the same situation. I do know that niacin is needed. You can get this in Brewers Yeast. I know that some people say you can feed them chick feed and others say flock raiser.

 

[lovesduckies]

fed mine game bird starter

 

[vlapinta]

Chick starter is all thats sold here, so if I can't use it ,where can I order on line in smaller than 50# quantity?

Vicki

 

[Hattiegun]

You have to have Niacin for ducklings... I really havent seen anywhere that sells less than 50# bgs.
you can get Brewyers yeast tablets @ WalMart(kinda a hassle to crush them tho ))
but You can get or order the powder form online.
I got the Electrolyte/Vitamin ( 4oz) pkt at the farm supply store and was told to put 1/2 tsp in my 1 gallon
waterer and it contains Niacin...hopefully someone else can give you a better ratio on exactly how much u need. I am
New to the Duck World... oh, my feed does contain niacin supplements.....it wil say on the feed tag.

but I would think u could use the chick str if thats all u can get and just add the niacin... seems simpler..??

 

[gryeyes]

I bought powdered Brewer's Yeast and just add "some" to their chick starter feed every couple of days. I only have two ducklings, so when I say "some" I mean about a tablespoon in one of those 18 inch long metal feeders with the holes in them.

I started with a five pound bag of TURKEY feed (higher protein, no medication) because the feed store guy said so.

Then I bought another 5 lb bag. After those two bags were gone, I just fed them chick starter. Which is medicated, but just that amprollium stuff or whatever it is. They're doing just fine.

They're six weeks old today. Wow. 6? Or is it five? No, five last week....

 

[Hennyhandler]

Oh I am soo glad you mentioned how much niacin you give your ducklings gryeyes. I am going to be getting two ducklings next week

and couldn't find or figure out how much niacin to give to only two ducklings so thank you. I am going to be giving mine flock raiser though. Do you think that will make to much of a difference?

Also, how did you know to add that much or did you just do an average? Where did you find POWDERED Brewer's yeast? I have found capsules so far.

 

[gryeyes]

I wandered the aisles of the homeopathic section of my local grocery store, Nugget Market. I was SURPRISED to find it in powdered form - half expected to have to use mortar and pestle on tablets to grind 'em up!

Flock raiser is also fine, according to various BYC experts and other folks.

I'm just using chick starter because the only other food I have right now is layer feed for the Grown Up chickens outside. Since I also have the 4 chicks, the ducklings are getting the starter feed, plus the niacin. I just kinda eye-balls "some" into the feeder, then shake the feeder back and forth until the tablespoon or so is mixed in with the feed.

 

[dumb_cluck]

I use game starter. You can get it at an Agway store. If you are getting 6 ducklings, you'll need a 50 lb bag! After they complete that bag, switch to game grower pellets. NOT SOONER!

Even though the chicken starter won't "kill" them, the mixing of niacin just to get the formula correct is not a good way to go.

Make sure they have plenty of water available when they are fed, otherwise they will choke and potentially die.

 

[bigdawg]

my duckies are a month old today, they have been eating chick starter with amprolium in it, they are super big and healthy. there is way to much drama on here. do this dont do that, way to much drama. oh they are still eating chick strater.