feed medicated vs non

[OldMissionChick]

I purchased a total of 8 ducks & 9 chicks almost 2 weeks ago. I was told the first bag of feed should be medicated "just in case" of sickness. I was recently told that medicated is not good for ducks. Anyone else heard of this? Also looking to add something they can fodder. Whats the best? Thinking wheat or soy, maybe oats? Thanks

 

[Amykins]

Never give ducks medicated feed. Evarrrrrrr.

As for feed, ducklings need starter crumble. It's not good to give them hard to digest material like oats or corn until they're a few weeks of age, and you'd need to provide plenty of grit to help them digest. I wouldn't give soy to ducks, as it's high in estrogen and protein, and ducks will already get plenty of protein from their pellets and bug foraging. Too much protein could give them angel wing as they develop. Oats, corn, and wheat make great treats, but again, they shouldn't be given as a food staple.

 

[OldMissionChick]

This is my first time having ducks/chickens so all a learning process. They are currently on a starter crumble. The bag of chick grit I have said not to start until at least 2-3 weeks old.

As for fodder I am just trying to plan ahead since once they are old enough to be outside where we are putting the coop/pen there isn't much grass and want to get something started. I want to say wheat grass was something that grows fast, but can't seem to find any.

 

[needlessjunk]

This was just asked and there is some good information on this thread. Read through it https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/959557/amprolium-medicated-feed#post_14935890

 

[Amykins]

Duck food isn't that expensive, and the duckies will happily munch on weeds as they hunt for bugs, so they'll get all the fodder they need! I don't even think fiber is a necessity, anyway. Many of us have house ducks and outside of the occasional leafy green, they subsist primarily on pellet feed, and they do just fine.

Also I disagree on that other thread being a good source. Just because someone links a webpage they found on google doesn't mean they're giving accurate or relevant information.

 

[needlessjunk]

Duck food isn't that expensive, and the duckies will happily munch on weeds as they hunt for bugs, so they'll get all the fodder they need! I don't even think fiber is a necessity, anyway. Many of us have house ducks and outside of the occasional leafy green, they subsist primarily on pellet feed, and they do just fine.

Also I disagree on that other thread being a good source. Just because someone links a webpage they found on google doesn't mean they're giving accurate or relevant information.

I did read through some of those pages she gave and have seen them before. I agree that non medicated is the best but I have doubts about medicated being harmful. If given the option I would go non medicated but if you don't have that option then I don't think medicated will damage the ducklings.

 

[OldMissionChick]

Well just in case, I do have the option to buy non medicated, which I intended on doing anyway, but did not know there was the possibility of medicated being harmful.

Still not sure what the best thing is for them to forage on. Where their pen is going to go we have to do some landscaping to get it level and theres little to no grass / weeds, there will be plenty of bugs though. Would bugs be enough? I am thinking wheat, rye or some kind of grass for something other than pellets / crumble. This won't be for another month or so.

 

[needlessjunk]

Well just in case, I do have the option to buy non medicated, which I intended on doing anyway, but did not know there was the possibility of medicated being harmful.

Still not sure what the best thing is for them to forage on. Where their pen is going to go we have to do some landscaping to get it level and theres little to no grass / weeds, there will be plenty of bugs though. Would bugs be enough? I am thinking wheat, rye or some kind of grass for something other than pellets / crumble. This won't be for another month or so.

I think they will be fine with whatever you can get to grow. Mine eat a mix of whatever is growing in out lawn. We have some crab grass but it's mostly St. Augustine and Bermuda. I'm going to be seeding soon with possibly some Fescue if I can find some that aren't treated with chemicals.

 

[OldMissionChick]

That has been my biggest hurdle. All the grass seed I have looked at says they have been inoculated for something. Or if it hasn't its $50+ for a 20 pound bag. I plan on going to the feed & grain store to see what they have. Who knew it was so hard to find plain old fashioned seed

 

[needlessjunk]

That has been my biggest hurdle. All the grass seed I have looked at says they have been inoculated for something. Or if it hasn't its $50+ for a 20 pound bag. I plan on going to the feed & grain store to see what they have. Who knew it was so hard to find plain old fashioned seed

Oh I hear you on that one! I know one of my feed stores have seed in bulk that you buy by the lb/scoop. I think that is going to be the only seed I can find that is safe for grazing.