Feeding peas and lettuce to ducklings?

[cochins1088]

I have a bunch of ducklings and I've been feeding them unmedicated chick starter. I had planned to order brewers yeast to supplement their niacin, but I never did and now the ducklings are already a week old. I don't know if I'm already seeing problems, but I have noticed that some seem to have weaker legs.

I'm ordering some brewers yeast tonight, but it probably won't arrive for a while. I read online that greens such as lettuce and peas contain niacin. Would it be safe to feed these to my ducklings? Would it be enough to cover the extra niacin, or would I still need to purchase the supplement?

Also, I read that ducklings need grit like chickens in order to eat these greens. I don't have any grit as this time, so is there anything else that I could use? like sand?

Thanks!

 

[Amiga]

A little clean sand, just a sprinkling once a day ( a teaspoon or so) on their food for a few days before feeding regular food like peas and lettuce should help. I think it's Miss Lydia who brings in some grass sod with soil still attached for them to play with and that provides some grit.

Worms and slugs have niacin, sardines have niacin. I might get a can of sardines packed in water, no extra salt, and make a soft mash of that and give each one just a little pinch and see how they do. Warning: protein foods make duck poops more aromatic, if ya know what I mean.

But lameness is not good, so getting them niacin a.s.a.p. is important.

Are they getting swim time in a warm tub?

 

[cochins1088]

Thanks for responding! Yes, I've been taking them inside to swim at least once a day, sometimes more. It's so fun watching them play in the water.

Do you think that if I gave them lettuce and peas regularily, that it would be enough to supplement their niacin?

 

[MimiEggs]

Add a Vitamin and Electrolyte solution to their drinking water. It is a good supplement for the niacin. Should be able to find at a feed store, Tractor Supply, Atwood's (or possibly a pet store although I have never looked at a pet store so not sure). You will have to calculate the dosage down for the amount of water. Put this in their fresh drinking water everyday.

 

[Amiga]

Thanks for responding! Yes, I've been taking them inside to swim at least once a day, sometimes more. It's so fun watching them play in the water.

Do you think that if I gave them lettuce and peas regularily, that it would be enough to supplement their niacin?

Short answer, no, niacin comes mostly from animal sources.