Foods for Ducklings

[BelovedBirds]

Not sure if I'm posting in the right place, I think this is okay!
So I have one 17 day old duckling, and a 13 day old duckling. I was just wondering what veg I could try offering them. I have chick grit on hand, ready to start offering. So I have a couple questions

What foods can they have from this age, I thought maybe a little bit of mashed banana? Would they be okay with that?
Also what's the best way to give them grit, in a separate bowl to food, or with the food? I was going to give it separate but then I heard some controversy over it.

Any thoughts are appreciated!

 

[Isadora]

Don't worry, you're posting in the right place!
Personally I don't give my ducks treats or extra foods until they're at least 3 weeks old. Making sure they have a well formulated feed and adequate niacin is very important when they're growing so quickly and I don't want to dilute that with any extra treats.

 

[BelovedBirds]

Don't worry, you're posting in the right place!
Personally I don't give my ducks treats or extra foods until they're at least 3 weeks old. Making sure they have a well formulated feed and adequate niacin is very important when they're growing so quickly and I don't want to dilute that with any extra treats.

That's fair! Mine are on chick crumb which is supplemented with extra niacin to get it where it needs to be, so far doing really well and grown very strong and active- though I'm always on the look for waterfowl starter. It's been tricky finding it where I live

 

[Isadora]

That's fair! Mine are on chick crumb which is supplemented with extra niacin to get it where it needs to be, so far doing really well and grown very strong and active- though I'm always on the look for waterfowl starter. It's been tricky finding it where I live

Do you have pictures of your ducklings you could post?

 

[indianaducks]

I also don't really give my ducklings anything besides their food until they move outside or start going outside. (They get grit if they do get ANYTHING besides their food before they move outside permanently.) My adult ducks get all sorts of things depending on what I have on hand.

 

[fatty and friends]

i started giving my ducks (very small amounts) of snacks when they were just a week old, now they are used to it and will eat almost any treat i give them (except for my one picky girl who only eats certain foods, and only if they are cut up into tiny pieces )

 

[BelovedBirds]

Do you have pictures of your ducklings you could post?

for sure! I dont have any super clear ones, but these are from the last few days! The first was from a little photoshoot with their egg box, since they were from supermarket eggs- and the duckling in the photo hatched on Christmas day! The smaller duckling in the second photo is 4 days younger

 

[Isadora]

for sure! I dont have any super clear ones, but these are from the last few days! The first was from a little photoshoot with their egg box, since they were from supermarket eggs- and the duckling in the photo hatched on Christmas day! The smaller duckling in the second photo is 4 days younger

I love them!

 

[Crazy Maizie]

I also don't offer treats until the ducklings are older. I just feel that in the beginning it is super important that their nutritional needs are met.
With that said my ducks are picky about "treats" and refuse a lot of extras.

 

[BelovedBirds]

I also don't offer treats until the ducklings are older. I just feel that in the beginning it is super important that their nutritional needs are met.
With that said my ducks are picky about "treats" and refuse a lot of extras.

What age would you recommend introducing treats? I may have to find a compromise between waiting and ensuring they don't end up too picky, lol