few questions

[Miss Lydia]

The temp now is 79 and they seem fine so Ithink I'm going to keep it at 80 for now unless they start huddling under the light then back up to 85.

Thats it use your own instincts when you are there to see how they are doing,

 

[kada6305]

I just wanted to make sure I want keeping it too cold, I'm a worry wort lol

 

[Miss Lydia]

I just wanted to make sure I want keeping it too cold, I'm a worry wort lol

Me too, but sounds like they are comfortable and I think you'll know if they are cold.

 

[ohiofarmboy]

Once I heard you shouldn't feed medicated chick feed to ducks. I am doing that now. Is it really something to worry about?

 

[jdywntr]

Once I heard you shouldn't feed medicated chick feed to ducks. I am doing that now. Is it really something to worry about?

Most likely not and not in the US. They don't need the medication but it won't hurt them. There used to be medicines in chick feed that were dangerous to ducklings.

 

[kada6305]

Once I heard you shouldn't feed medicated chick feed to ducks. I am doing that now. Is it really something to worry about?

I have read that ducks eat differently than chickens, chickens peck and ducks get mouth fulls and can/will over dose on the medicine in the medicated chic feed and if you feed chic feed you should get unmedicated.

 

[jdywntr]

I have read that ducks eat differently than chickens, chickens peck and ducks get mouth fulls and can/will over dose on the medicine in the medicated chic feed and if you feed chic feed you should get unmedicated.

It can be a problem with medications but not with medicated feed. There is a very small percentage of medicine in the feed, locally mine contains 0.0125% of AMPROLIUM, which is about standard.

Most medicines are formulated for chickens and many are added to water. Ducks drink more than chickens and can therefore overdose on poultry dosages in water based medication. The way they eat only differs in that they need water to swallow their feed not that they necessarily eat more.

The way I look at it if Dave Holderread, owner of Holderread Waterfowl Farm and Preservation Center and author of Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks says that medicated starter is okay, it is okay.

 

[kada6305]

Oh okay. I don't feed mine chick feed but I feed them game bird which is for duck turkey and I forget what else.

 

[jdywntr]

Oh okay. I don't feed mine chick feed but I feed them game bird which is for duck turkey and I forget what else.

I don't feed mine medicated but they do get chick starter. Just watch your protein level. They need 18-20% right now and gamebird feed is usually much higher.

 

[kada6305]

It's 16% but I also give them some treats for more protein. Like mealworms.