Feeding ducks

[schellie69]

I have searched and see where you need to add niacin to the feed, I was wondering how much for baby ducks and then older ducks I buy a gamer feed with 22% protein since my girls free range a lot, can I feed ducks the same flock game feed or would I need to change the feed for both the ducks and chickens and how much niacin for the ducks do they need. I also noticed that the feed store only sales straight run ducks is there a way to tell males from females or would it be better to buy from a hatchery even if I get 10 could I sell the extras I want 4 females and 1 male does that sound like a good balance. thanks for the help

 

[duckyfromoz]

Ducks do need more niacin than chickens but that doesnt always mean that you have to add it. If they are to free range alot then the chances are that they will get a fairly well balanced diet. Bugs, insects and worms and such will help to make up the shortfall in the feed- but supplementation may be needed in the winter months. If you look on the manufactures information on products- you will see that all feeds will have some niacin in them - and ducks will actually eat more than chickens do- so that helps to make up some of the shortfall as well. 22% is too much for ducks after the first few weeks of life- 16- 18% would be the highest you need to feed them after 4 weeks until maturity.

1: 4 is a good ratio to ensure fertility remains high. Vent sexing would be the only way to tell the sexes of feed store ducklings- but it is best done by someone with experience as it is easy to injure a duckling if not done correctly. You may not be allowed to try to vent sex the feed store ducklings. But there is also the issue that you would have to place an order and wait for delivery if you order through a hatchery whereas feed store ducklings would be available to you sooner.

 

[2txmedics]

came across this post, what is niacin used for in the feed? I mean what does it do? sorry new to ducks and I have 2wk old babies....

 

[dumb_cluck]

There is good evidence that poultry—even chick and turkey embryos—can synthesize niacin, but at a rate that is too slow for optimal growth. It has been claimed that a marked deficiency of niacin cannot occur in chickens unless there is a deficiency of tryptophan, an amino acid and a niacin precursor.
A niacin deficiency is characterized by severe metabolic disorders in the skin and digestive organs. The first signs are usually loss of appetite, retarded growth, general weakness, and diarrhea. There is conflicting evidence as to whether broilers respond, in terms of growth and feed utilization, to niacin supplementation. However, it has been clearly established that chicks do have a requirement for niacin. Deficiency produces an enlargement of the tibiotarsal joint, bowing of the legs, poor feathering, and dermatitis on the head and feet.
Niacin deficiency in chicks can also result in “black tongue,” in which the tongue, oral cavity, and esophagus become inflamed at ~2 wk of age. In the niacin-deficient hen, weight loss, reduced egg production, and a marked decrease in hatchability can result. Turkeys, ducks, pheasants, and goslings are much more severely affected by niacin deficiency than are chickens. Their apparently higher requirements are likely related to their less efficient conversion of tryptophan to niacin. Ducks and turkeys with a niacin deficiency show a severe bowing of the legs and an enlargement of the hock joint. The main difference between the leg seen in niacin deficiency and perosis seen in manganese and choline deficiency is that with niacin deficiency the Achilles tendon seldom slips from its condyles.

This is copied from http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/206928.htm

 

[2txmedics]

Thanks so much for the info....Im a medic so know what you mean. I just didnt think ducks would be affected...Im new to ducks and learning. all the books I have on poultry, I read because I had chickens, now Im digging out my books slowly....this is alot quickder....