Feed type info!

[Maddog_photog]

Hey y’all!

So my feeding plan for my two Pekin Ducks has been as follows:
1st two weeks of life - Chick Starter with Diatomaceous Earth w/ 2TBSP Brewer’s Yeast per cup of feed

after the two weeks, I began cutting the chick starter with uncooked oatmeal at about 20-25% oatmeal, same yeast/crumble ratio.
They’re going into their 6th week, how long do I keep up this feeding regimen, what do I switch to? How long do I keep up the Brewer’s Yeast? Not sure about the genders of my ducks, I’ve got a feeling I have one hen, and one drake. Any info is greatly appreciated!

 

[DuckyDonna]

Is there a possibility you can get Puring Duck Pellets? Tractor Supply has it but I don't know if that's available where you are. It has everything they need from hatch - life except oyster shells for the layers. You add that on the side when they start laying. It makes things very easy and you don't have to mess with switching foods.

I use the pellets but just because I'm anal I add a couple of heaping tablespoons of nutritional yeast to every food bucket I refill. I only have skinny little runners but I have had a few with shaky legs and betweeen the nutritional yeast and B-complex it took care of it right away. Since you have pekins I would suggest getting and starting both the nutritional yeast as well as the b-complex right now and don't stop it.

As you probably know, pekins were bred for meat and they grow very fast. So fast that their poor legs can't keep up with their bodies so it's super important for them to get all that extra niacin.

 

[Maddog_photog]

Is there a possibility you can get Puring Duck Pellets? Tractor Supply has it but I don't know if that's available where you are. It has everything they need from hatch - life except oyster shells for the layers. You add that on the side when they start laying. It makes things very easy and you don't have to mess with switching foods.

I use the pellets but just because I'm anal I add a couple of heaping tablespoons of nutritional yeast to every food bucket I refill. I only have skinny little runners but I have had a few with shaky legs and betweeen the nutritional yeast and B-complex it took care of it right away. Since you have pekins I would suggest getting and starting both the nutritional yeast as well as the b-complex right now and don't stop it.

As you probably know, pekins were bred for meat and they grow very fast. So fast that their poor legs can't keep up with their bodies so it's super important for them to get all that extra niacin.
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I know there’s a TSC in my city somewhere. I’ll take a field trip out there in the next day or two to check for this stuff, otherwise I’m sure Amazon probably has it. Thanks for the info, @DuckyDonna

 

[DuckyDonna]

I know there’s a TSC in my city somewhere. I’ll take a field trip out there in the next day or two to check for this stuff, otherwise I’m sure Amazon probably has it. Thanks for the info, @DuckyDonna

If you get a 40# bag on amazon it's $48. If you get that exact same bag at TSC it's $16.99!

The nutritional yeast you can get on amazon and they don't scalp you. It's NOW brand fortified.

You should be able to get the B-complex at TSC and I think Amazon isn't outrageous on that price wise.

 

[Maddog_photog]

If you get a 40# bag on amazon it's $48. If you get that exact same bag at TSC it's $16.99!

The nutritional yeast you can get on amazon and they don't scalp you. It's NOW brand fortified.

You should be able to get the B-complex at TSC and I think Amazon isn't outrageous on that price wise.

Dang! That’s a huge price difference!

 

[Miss Lydia]

And if TSC doesn’t have duck pellets get Purina Flock Raiser. It’s another one you can feed from hatch all through their lives.

 

[DuckyDonna]

Dang! That’s a huge price difference!

yup, worth the trip to TSC isn't it!

 

[Isaac 0]

Hey y’all!

So my feeding plan for my two Pekin Ducks has been as follows:
1st two weeks of life - Chick Starter with Diatomaceous Earth w/ 2TBSP Brewer’s Yeast per cup of feed

after the two weeks, I began cutting the chick starter with uncooked oatmeal at about 20-25% oatmeal, same yeast/crumble ratio.
They’re going into their 6th week, how long do I keep up this feeding regimen, what do I switch to? How long do I keep up the Brewer’s Yeast? Not sure about the genders of my ducks, I’ve got a feeling I have one hen, and one drake. Any info is greatly appreciated!

Sadly, DE does not work, I'm guessing you are adding it for worming, but it's useless when wet, In my experience, it doesn't work worth of crap dry either.

Read this,

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

 

[Maddog_photog]

Sadly, DE does not work, I'm guessing you are adding it for worming, but it's useless when wet, In my experience, it doesn't work worth of crap dry either.

Read this,

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

Dang, it sounds like the guy at the store just wanted to sell something to me.