Duckling Food and Niacin

[Enigmius]

OK. So my runner ducklings are arriving from Metzerfarm on the 27th.
I've been going to feed stores and calling around for the Manna Pro Duck starter/grower. No one seems to carry it down here in the DFW area of Texas, but they carry Manna Pro's Gamerbird/Showbird. I went ahead and bought that. The only problem is that the protein is a little higher(24%) than what is suggested for ducks(21%).

I've read in the forum somewhere that rolled oats can be added to decrease the % or protein, and I used the the Metzer calculator to know how much rolled oats to add to bring that down.

Q1: I need to do anything with the oats before adding it? Do they need to be ground-up before being weighed then added?

Q2: I'm looking over the Mana Pro Gamebird/Showbird and I don't see anything about niacin. I'm assuming that means it needs to be added, correct?

 

[Enigmius]

 

[casportpony]

Can you take the bag back and get some Purina Flock Raiser instead?

 

[sylviethecochin]

What we need is the analysis tag in the upper left corner. Niacin is also known as B3 (which I see) and it needs to be at least 55 ppm.

EDT: Never mind. Just looked it up on the TSC site. You're right, there is no detailed analysis.

 

[casportpony]

It probably has enough niacin because turkeys and gamebirds need more niacin that ducks. I worry about adding oats because doing that will reduce the niacin and other key minerals and vitamins.

 

[Enigmius]

Can you take the bag back and get some Purina Flock Raiser instead?

I still have the receipt from Atwood’s, I’ll check if they at least have that brand.

 

[casportpony]

I still have the receipt from Atwood’s, I’ll check if they at least have that brand.

If they don't, and you can't return it, I would just feed it. Yeah, the protein is a little higher than ideal, but it should be fine (I feed all of mine 27% turkey starter).

 

[PirateGirl]

@KikisGirls has a feed comparison chart which should help.

Also you should be able to get a big bag of oats at your feed store as opposed to rolled oats from the grocery store. You'll get more bang for your buck. Several brands carry them. Something like this...

https://www.murdochs.com/products/l...urpose-feed/country-feeds-steam-crimped-oats/

 

[PirateGirl]

You could look for something like these too...

https://www.murdochs.com/products/l...poultry/naturewise-all-flock-feed-18-crumble/

https://www.murdochs.com/products/l...ed/poultry/country-feeds-all-flock-18-pellet/

 

[casportpony]

You could look for something like these too...

https://www.murdochs.com/products/l...poultry/naturewise-all-flock-feed-18-crumble/

https://www.murdochs.com/products/l...ed/poultry/country-feeds-all-flock-18-pellet/

Are those labeled for "starting"?