Ducklings and chicks. Amprolium

[AbigailCW]

Hello! I am beginning to start my back yard flock and when I ordered my chicks my fiancé insisted on ducklings as well. We will be getting 10 chicks and 3 Cayuga ducklings. I am getting mixed answers as to what to feed them. I would prefer to raise them in the same brooder as I would like for them to not fight as much at an adult age. I have had ducks and chickens before, but they were all free range and hatched by their mothers. I have been doing research and from what I have found the medicated food is mainly not recommended to use with ducklings due to the arsenic based medicine which was previously in it. With this being said I have found multiple studies that state that Amprolium isn’t showing to be harmful to their ducklings as it is merely a thiamin blocker that simply minimizes cocci reproduction. My main question is does anyone here have any personal experience with feeding ducklings the Amprolium based medicated foods?? Also would the Amprolium not potentially be helpful since waterfowl can also contract coccidiosis?

 

[DucksOhio]

I'm certainly not the expert on duck food, but I believe that the medicated food is now safe.

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

I don't know where you are but Purina Flock Raiser crumbles would probably meet your needs

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Also would the Amprolium not potentially be helpful since waterfowl can also contract coccidiosis?

Hi there, welcome to BYC!

Coccidiosis is less likely to effect ducks than chicks. The amprolium isn't an issue...

Main issue is... ducklings need more niacin than chicks... Purina Flock Raiser works very well to meet the need of both ducklings and chicks without extra supplementation. I have used it for years without ANY issue. It's also readily available and freshly milled with high enough turn over to always be fresh at most of my local stores.

Niacin content is not required to be listed on the guaranteed analysis. I contacted the company and it contains the correct amount.. 55mg/kg.

Adding your general location to your profile can help folks make their best suggestion at a glance.

Happy adventures!

ETA: in other words most chick feed don't contain enough niacin to prevent leg issues for ducks. They are often around 35mg/kg. When in doubt, contact the company!

 

[Isaac 0]

Hello! I am beginning to start my back yard flock and when I ordered my chicks my fiancé insisted on ducklings as well. We will be getting 10 chicks and 3 Cayuga ducklings. I am getting mixed answers as to what to feed them. I would prefer to raise them in the same brooder as I would like for them to not fight as much at an adult age. I have had ducks and chickens before, but they were all free range and hatched by their mothers. I have been doing research and from what I have found the medicated food is mainly not recommended to use with ducklings due to the arsenic based medicine which was previously in it. With this being said I have found multiple studies that state that Amprolium isn’t showing to be harmful to their ducklings as it is merely a thiamin blocker that simply minimizes cocci reproduction. My main question is does anyone here have any personal experience with feeding ducklings the Amprolium based medicated foods?? Also would the Amprolium not potentially be helpful since waterfowl can also contract coccidiosis?

I agree, It'd be much easier and simpler for you to either buy a Flock Raiser Feed/ All Flock Feed, both of which are compatible for chickens and ducks.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Be sure to but crumbles for your babies.

 

[Isaac 0]

Be sure to but crumbles for your babies.

X2!

Or I'll sometimes put the pellets through a Meat Grinder.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Just wanted to make OP aware because it would be easy to pick up pellets and not crumbles. I haven’t a meat grinder so it’s a hammer for me I’d just make sure to get crumbles lol

 

[EggSighted4Life]

getting 10 chicks and 3 Cayuga ducklings. I am getting mixed answers as to what to feed them. I would prefer to raise them in the same brooder as I would like for them to not fight as much at an adult age.

If you get all hens it may not become an issue. But if you end up with a drake.. he could cause serious harm with his cork screw penis if and when he decides it's time to mate a chicken hen. Having a back up plan for separation if needed is always a good idea.

 

[Isaac 0]

Just wanted to make OP aware because it would be easy to pick up pellets and not crumbles. I haven’t a meat grinder so it’s a hammer for me I’d just make sure to get crumbles lol

Most definitely, Grinding up pellets is not fun, especially if you have to use a hammer.