Feeding new ducklings

[onaharley]

Hi there!!! Here is what I use for niacin. Nutritional Yeast found in most grocery stores. 1 tablespoon to 1 cup of feed. It does have to be accurate, I’m to the point that I don’t even measure it....you can’t really over give this to them, they will expel whatever their body will not absorb

I use this too. Make sure you get the b complex with these ingredients. 2 ml into a small amount of mealworms. Stir it up and give it to them.

 

[Gerty0630]

What breed of duck is he? Yes it can be “normal” for some breeds especially if they are heavy. If you know he has leg issues without it, I would continue to give it to him regularly. What kind of niacin and how much do you give?

He's a pekin so definitely a big boy. I had been giving 1 tbsp in feed once a week which did work for a while but it just came back so I've been sprinkling some (unmeasured) on cut up tomatoes and done that a couple times a week and he's better now. I use brewers yeast.

 

[CayugaJana]

He's a pekin so definitely a big boy. I had been giving 1 tbsp in feed once a week which did work for a while but it just came back so I've been sprinkling some (unmeasured) on cut up tomatoes and done that a couple times a week and he's better now. I use brewers yeast.

Please go get the liquid b complex like what @onaharley posted. It has a series of b vitamins that are crucial to muscle, bone, and neurological development. Give him a couple mLs a day until the bottle is gone. When you buy it, compare niacin content with the Brewers yeast you are currently giving him. I wouldn’t be surprised if the liquid complex has 100X more. Then if he’s acting healthy you can back off a little. But I wouldn’t give this fella Brewers yeast anymore because he just needs so much more b vitamins than regular breeds.

 

[Gerty0630]

Thank you so much - I will definitely go get the liquid b complex!!!

 

[Gerty0630]

Please go get the liquid b complex like what @onaharley posted. It has a series of b vitamins that are crucial to muscle, bone, and neurological development. Give him a couple mLs a day until the bottle is gone. When you buy it, compare niacin content with the Brewers yeast you are currently giving him. I wouldn’t be surprised if the liquid complex has 100X more. Then if he’s acting healthy you can back off a little. But I wouldn’t give this fella Brewers yeast anymore because he just needs so much more b vitamins than regular breeds.

Any suggestions on how to give the liquid complex? I have one male (the one who needs the niacin) and one female who are bonded. I put the liquid complex in mealworms but he will always stand back and let her have the treat. Ive separated them hoping to get him to eat the mealworms but he is more worried about getting back to her than eating them

 

[Miss Lydia]

Aww bless no reason why they can’t share it if you can’t get him to take it by himself. Just make sure he gets at least half .

 

[Gerty0630]

Aww bless no reason why they can’t share it if you can’t get him to take it by himself. Just make sure he gets at least half .

Thats the problem he stands back and lets her eat it all! He will take ONE bite then stand back. Nice little gentleman but come on man take your medicine!!

 

[DuckyDonna]

I tried doing it with an eye dropper but got more on me than I did in the duck so I just started mixing it in their feed. I think a catheter tip syringe down the side of its bill would probably get more in them. Hold on securely, wrap a towel around the duck and tip the head up. Just be sure you keep it on the side so it doesn't go down the trachea which is the middle hole.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Would work if OP has the Catheter tube. What about having two treat bowl put hers down first so she is already eating then his.

 

[Gerty0630]

Would work if OP has the Catheter tube. What about having two treat bowl put hers down first so she is already eating then his.

Well thats a simple idea that i now feel silly about not thinking of before posting this lmao. Thank you i will try that tomorrow!