Finally Found Duck Starter Feed :)

[thatduckguyy]

 

[Dipsy Doodle Doo]

Congratulations!
Why do you need 'duck starter feed'? My ducklings have always eaten chick starter.

Lisa

 

[thatduckguyy]

Quote:
It was actually cheaper
and they didn't have any non medicated chick feed

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Ducks need more niacin than chickens, the chick starter feed won't provide them that.

 

[Dipsy Doodle Doo]

Quote:
Hi! I've read that, but all the ducklings (100's and many generations) have thrived without added niacin.
And medicated starteR is usually 'medicated' with Amprolium, and is safe for ducklings.
Good luck!

Lisa
edit: starter, not started

 

[Going Quackers]

That's great! i know mine did better on a duck starter than a chicken one(non-med) i had to really search to.

 

[Gypsy07]

Amprolium is safe for ducklings at the correct dosage. But because ducklings and goslings are greedy little piglets who take any opportunity to gorge themselves, there's a very high risk of them eating enough medicated starter that they will accidentally overdose on the medication. So if you have to feed waterfowl babies chick starter, you should always choose a non-medicated one...

 

[Boggy Bottom Bantams]

have to agree with Dipsy doodle on this one.

The medicated feed thing is an old myth, they would have to eat their body weight 2-3 times over per day to have any trouble from it. I have fed medicated feed to all my starting waterfowl over 27 years of keeping them, everything from domestics to near 100 species of migratory waterfowl, never once had an issue with it, and never had one get cocci either.

Also the niacin thing is pretty rare in waterfowl. Yes it's true they need more than chickens for sure, but there is niacin in most all chick starters. They only need 60 parts per million so it doesnt take much, most all feeds have this bare min amount in their feeds, therefore you rarely see trouble with leg problems from niacin deficiencies from store bought rations. Big problem from niacin is from those that feed solely corn or similar diets to their young birds.

So any starter in most all cases is fine, doesnt have to be one brand over another. Big thing is to watch the protein levels from 2-6 weeks of age as well as the carbs, calcium and magnesium to prevent the risk of angel wing. Keep the first 2 as low as possible and the last two as high as possible.

If you do notice a rare bird developing leg problems, add a higher niacin food source to the diet to correct it but these are very few and far between, personally, I have never had an issue with it.
Brewer's yeast is one good supplement that can be added, or you can just go to the health store and get niacin tablets and add to the drinking water for them.

In short, for waterfowl, most any feed can safely be used now a days, but yes, cheaper always is a plus for me as well with the economy like it is. Just dont cut quality for price.

 

[Dipsy Doodle Doo]

Quote:
Thank you for posting that. I was beginning to feel like a negligent duck-keeper.

Lisa

 

[Boggy Bottom Bantams]

haha

no problem