Feed and Nutrition - help!

[member 569347]

I am a soon-to-be first time duck owner and want to get some info while waiting on my "The Ultimate Pet Duck Guidebook" to arrive and eggs to hatch. I purchased Mile Four duck feed but it doesn't list if there's Niacin. In researching how to add it, I saw info about "fermenting" the feed and "Brewer's Yeast". Are these things I should be looking at adding to their diet? My ducklings are due May 6-8.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I would contact the company who make this feed. If duck feed it should have adequate amount of niacin since water fowl need it.
I'd def keep some form of Niacin on hand in case you see one of your ducklings struggling to walk or has shaky leg. Rec is Nutritional yeast and Brewers yeast and if problems arise Durvet Liquid B Complex.
What breed of duck?

 

[Isaac 0]

I don't believe they are required to list the niacin content in the feed, you could try contacting the company though. This thread has most of the information you are looking for, at the bottom of the post regards prevention/dosages.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/niacin-deficiency-in-waterfowl.1367557/

 

[Isaac 0]

Welcome to BYC!

 

[member 569347]

I would contact the company who make this feed. If duck feed it should have adequate amount of niacin since water fowl need it.
I'd def keep some form of Niacin on hand in case you see one of your ducklings struggling to walk or has shaky leg. Rec is Nutritional yeast and Brewers yeast and if problems arise Durvet Liquid B Complex.
What breed of duck?

Hi Lydia! Thanks for your reply! They are Pekin ducks

 

[Miss Lydia]

They will defiantly need some extra niacin. You can start them off on this feed and add some extra Brewers yeast or Nutritional yeast to their feed 1-2 Tablespoons per cup of feed but just to be on the safe side pick up the Liquid B complex at TSC
Pekin are notorious for leg problems they grow so fast.
That link @Isaac 0 gave you is got great information in it.

 

[member 569347]

They will defiantly need some extra niacin. You can start them off on this feed and add some extra Brewers yeast or Nutritional yeast to their feed 1-2 Tablespoons per cup of feed but just to be on the safe side pick up the Liquid B complex at TSC
Pekin are notorious for leg problems they grow so fast.
That link @Isaac 0 gave you is got great information in it.

I also bought a bag of Manna Starter Feed because the Mile Four feed would not have arrived in time. This has 35mg/lb of Niacin. Is that adequate?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Ducklings need 100 mg of niacin daily so add the BY or NY to that feed. My ducklings loved the NY over their feed.

 

[Isaac 0]

Looks good to me, I would still add a niacin supplement over the feed as @Miss Lydia suggested.

 

[member 569347]

I don't believe they are required to list the niacin content in the feed, you could try contacting the company though. This thread has most of the information you are looking for, at the bottom of the post regards prevention/dosages.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/niacin-deficiency-in-waterfowl.1367557/

Thanks for the link! Makes me a little scared as a first timer. I hope they are strong and healthy so I don't screw things up if I have to administer by syringe!