Duckling starter feed advice- do I need to add niacin

[CoriM]

If your ducklings are pekins you might have a bottle of liquid vitamin B complex on hand. Pekins seem to need extra niacin because they grow so big so fast, and they are often the ducks on threads that are having trouble. My understanding when I was giving my ducklings the vitamin B (after they developed problems) was that excess flushes through their system, so you don't really have to worry about overdosing.

 

[AlyssaB4]

I'm glad it was helpful. It's good to be familiar with the signs of niacin deficiency. My first time I had no idea what I was doing and didn't end up giving enough niacin. I noticed some of the symptoms after about a week and provided niacin and they resumed normal growth with no long-term effects. Obviously that is not the goal! The best thing is to prevent a problem to begin with, but if you're familiar with what it looks like you can catch it until you dial in the right amount for your ducklings.

Yes definitely. I’m a first time duck owner, so I have done a lot of research but often things come up with conflicting information. i would always prefer to be preventative, but I didn’t want to over do the niacin either, but now I know adding a bit more with brewers yeast should be fine!

 

[AlyssaB4]

If your ducklings are pekins you might have a bottle of liquid vitamin B complex on hand. Pekins seem to need extra niacin because they grow so big so fast, and they are often the ducks on threads that are having trouble. My understanding when I was giving my ducklings the vitamin B (after they developed problems) was that excess flushes through their system, so you don't really have to worry about overdosing.

Mine are 2 mallards, one came out with a little bit of yolk and was smaller because it’s egg overall was pretty small. So I am on high alert making sure I keep them healthy . And thank you, yeah i have found varying information on “too much niacin” but I am going to add smaller amounts of brewers yeast just to be preventative.

 

[AlyssaB4]

I'm glad it was helpful. It's good to be familiar with the signs of niacin deficiency. My first time I had no idea what I was doing and didn't end up giving enough niacin. I noticed some of the symptoms after about a week and provided niacin and they resumed normal growth with no long-term effects. Obviously that is not the goal! The best thing is to prevent a problem to begin with, but if you're familiar with what it looks like you can catch it until you dial in the right amount for your ducklings.

Also, another thing I have found varying information about is them having a puffy neck. It’s on the right side of the chest/ neck area so I’m pretty sure that’s their crop. They have access to food 24/7 because I saw that people recommend letting the ducklings feed themselves as much as they need. The little one has always been a bit puffier in the chest, but 2 nights ago I saw that both seemed a lot puffier than normal. It feels normal (squishy, fluffy, fatty, nothing hard). The first night I took food away that night to see if the puffiness went down by the morning and it did a bit. Same thing yesterday/ last night, but I did not withhold food last night. Just trying to figure out if this is just normal digestion because they are eating a lot all day. Or if there’s a point where it could be a problem to have that fullness all the time?

 

[N Good]

Also, another thing I have found varying information about is them having a puffy neck. It’s on the right side of the chest/ neck area so I’m pretty sure that’s their crop. They have access to food 24/7 because I saw that people recommend letting the ducklings feed themselves as much as they need. The little one has always been a bit puffier in the chest, but 2 nights ago I saw that both seemed a lot puffier than normal. It feels normal (squishy, fluffy, fatty, nothing hard). The first night I took food away that night to see if the puffiness went down by the morning and it did a bit. Same thing yesterday/ last night, but I did not withhold food last night. Just trying to figure out if this is just normal digestion because they are eating a lot all day. Or if there’s a point where it could be a problem to have that fullness all the time?

The full crop definitely freaked me out the first time I saw it!! As long as it is soft, it is totally fine. The only reason to be concerned is if they stop eating and when you check it is hard. You'll soon get used to what a full crop looks like.

 

[AlyssaB4]

The full crop definitely freaked me out the first time I saw it!! As long as it is soft, it is totally fine. The only reason to be concerned is if they stop eating and when you check it is hard. You'll soon get used to what a full crop looks like.

Ok thank you again! Sorry for all the questions haha. Good to know it’s just because they are little piggies!

 

[N Good]

Ok thank you again! Sorry for all the questions haha. Good to know it’s just because they are little piggies!

No worries, I still have lots of questions after raising over 25 ducklings over 3 seasons. I'm glad I could help.