Five week old duckling with shaky leg

[BornToQuack]

Here's a picture one of her siblings who seems just fine.

 

[Lil Drake40]

She may just need a little more niacin than her sibs

 

[BornToQuack]

Sure are adorable. I love sitting out watching my Runners they really are clowns

They sure are! They're constantly cracking me up! My husband and I joke that they're like feathered pigs, because they go NUTS for the fruits, veggies, and berries we've offered as treats. Bananas, watermelon, raspberries, blueberries, fresh peas, dandelion greens, and grapes send them into a feeding frenzy. They've even been known to steal baked chicken and pierogies off of our plates if we decide to have a blanket picnic in the backyard.

 

[casportpony]

1) I was afraid the ducklings would develop Angel Wing if I didn't start lowering their protein consumption.

Angel wing is not well understood and poultry experts say many things could cause it. Would it surprise you to know that I feed all of mine 27% turkey starter an that I have no problems with angel wing, but people that feed 18% starter do have problems with angel wing? I'm not suggesting that you or anyone else start feeding high protein, but instead, I suggest that everyone look at other possible causes and make sure whatever you're feeding has the proper amount of vitamins and minerals that growing ducks need. Of course, you can't do much if it's genetic.

2) Just as our one duckling's leg started getting really bad, the poultry specialist at the feed store we got them from became injured and went on disability leave. When I called the store asking if the flock raiser they sold us had enough niacin for ducklings, no one seemed to know, and they wouldn't offer any advice on whether I should supplement with brewer's yeast.

Purina claims it's 55 ppm (55 mg per 2.2 pounds)

In any case, I've contacted Scratch and Peck directly (via email) and asked how much Niacin is in their starter and grower feeds (the amounts aren't listed on their bags, nor their website).

Excellent! When you hear back from them can you let us @KikisGirls know so she can add that to her spreadsheet?

 

[Kiki]

I will wait patiently for the info to add it to our sheet.

 

[Miss Lydia]

They sure are! They're constantly cracking me up! My husband and I joke that they're like feathered pigs, because they go NUTS for the fruits, veggies, and berries we've offered as treats. Bananas, watermelon, raspberries, blueberries, fresh peas, dandelion greens, and grapes send them into a feeding frenzy. They've even been known to steal baked chicken and pierogies off of our plates if we decide to have a blanket picnic in the backyard.

Feeding frenzy is right. Boy they really are feathered pigs my Muscovy's look like the perfect duck when eating compared to my Runners.

 

[BornToQuack]

Still haven't received a response from Scratch and Peck regarding the amount of niacin in their feed. I'll try calling their Customer Service line tomorrow and will post what they say.

In any case, I've increased the amount of Brewer's yeast I'm putting in their water to two tablespoons per gallon. Not sure if that's what did the trick, but her legs are no longer shaking!

 

[Lil Drake40]

Awesome!!

 

[BornToQuack]

@KikisGirls - Here's the email I received from Scratch and Peck Feeds. Hope this helps!

Thank you for writing!

All of our balanced poultry feeds are suitable for use with waterfowl which is why we do not have any product specifically listed as duck or geese feed. We do not use any medications in our products, which can be a concern for duck and geese owners as they tend to eat and drink more than the average chicken and can potentially overdose on medicated feed.

Our poultry feeds contain 28 mg/lb or 61.6 ppm Niacin. Ducklings need a minimum of 55 ppm.

Waterfowl do have very different nutritional requirements than chickens so we have adjusted recommendations for their feed schedule.

To download the Feeding Guide for Ducks (and Geese) and other informational documents, please visit our website at: www.scratchandpeck.com/learning-center/helpful-guides/

For more answers to frequently asked questions like this one, please visit our F.A.Q. page at: www.scratchandpeck.com/learning-center/faqs/

You'll want to make sure you supply grit for your waterfowl to help them get the full nutritional value out of our products!

Let us know if you have any other questions!


Have a happy day!

Emmy Hage
Customer Advocate
Scratch and Peck Feeds
360-318-7585

 

[BornToQuack]

Here's a PDF they have on their site with a recommended feeding guide:

https://www.scratchandpeck.com/wp-c...-and-Peck-Feeds-Duck-Feeding-Guide-2017-4.pdf