Feeding ducklings chick food HELP!!!

[Prestons07]

Ok so my husband and I just purchased chicks and ducklings today, we got everything we need and we were told that they both could eat the chick starter crumbles. When we got home we realized it was 18% medicated so I read on the back (I know I should have done that in the store) and it doesn't say anything on it about it being ok for the ducks. After reading some posts on here, I'm freaking out, because I have read, not to give them medicated chick starter. It's 11pm here so there is no way I can get different food until tomorrow. Is it going to hurt our ducklings to eat it until tomorrow? The feed we have is Nutrena Nature Wise Chick starter grower 18% crumbles medicated. Please help. I am worried my ducks are going to die.

 

[SA Farm]

"A good emergency ration is a 50-50 blend of rolled oats and cornmeal, whirled in a food blender to a mash or crumble consistency. They should not be on this emergency ration for more than a day or so, as it does not constitute a balanced diet."
Here's the source: http://islandseed.com/poultry/ducks/

 

[Strader]

"...Warning: Never give young waterfowl medicated chick feed. Ducklings are voracious eaters and can overdose themselves and die from a medication that is correctly proportioned for chickens. ..."

 

[Speceider]

Check that the medication is amprolium ( I am fairly certain it is), if so you are fine, there will not be any problems other than low niacin in chick starter. There are plenty of posts here that talk of the sources of niacin and how much. Take a deep breath, relax, and enjoy the youngsters.

Clint

 

[Speceider]

"...Warning: Never give young waterfowl medicated chick feed. Ducklings are voracious eaters and can overdose themselves and die from a medication that is correctly proportioned for chickens. ..."

And all that is wrong.

Clint

 

[Prestons07]

Check that the medication is amprolium ( I am fairly certain it is), if so you are fine, there will not be any problems other than low niacin in chick starter. There are plenty of posts here that talk of the sources of niacin and how much. Take a deep breath, relax, and enjoy the youngsters.

Clint

Thank you! Yes that is the medication in it. Do the Chicks need the medication? We would like to raise them together, but we don't want either to be lacking something they need.

 

[Speceider]

Amprolium is a thiamin blocker that functions as a coccidiastat. It helps keep coccidia levels lower while they develop their tolerance. Your chicks may not be exposed to high levels of coccidia, but if they are, you may have several die before you can diagnose and treat. I think it is worth it....just be sure to add the niacin, and extra niacin will not hurt the chicks.

Clint

 

[Prestons07]

Amprolium is a thiamin blocker that functions as a coccidiastat. It helps keep coccidia levels lower while they develop their tolerance. Your chicks may not be exposed to high levels of coccidia, but if they are, you may have several die before you can diagnose and treat. I think it is worth it....just be sure to add the niacin, and extra niacin will not hurt the chicks.

Clint

Thank you very much for easing our minds. We did tons of research on chicks but we didn't plan on getting ducks, so we are doing all the research on them now. Have you had experience with feeding baby ducks, chick starter and adding niacin? Not that I don't trust you, I'm just curious.

 

[Speceider]

Yeah, I don't keep chicks, primarily ducks and quail. Quail are more suspectible to coccodiosis than chickens, so I use a higher protein medicated starter with niacin tablets added to the water.

Clint

 

[Prestons07]

Yeah, I don't keep chicks, primarily ducks and quail. Quail are more suspectible to coccodiosis than chickens, so I use a higher protein medicated starter with niacin tablets added to the water.

Clint

You sure saved me a heart attack. I didn't know I would fall in love with the little ducks, but I did the instant I saw them Thank you again I really appreciate it!