Got my first ducklings today!!!!! Updated with pics!

[Miss Lydia]

I am really not sure. Mine seem to pick at the areas that are getting new feather growth, removing the fluff as new feathers come in. Their tails now have mostly all new feathers. I think they all do molt a bit at times.

I have questions about the niacin. I was told it wasn't necessary at the feed store. I have been feeding them Dumor chick starter as well as veggies, but the chick starter does NOT say it has niacin at all on the bag. So now I'm worried that they won't have enough. Does anyone else use this feed?

If I get extra niacin in capsules I can just put it in their water, right? What happens if they get too much? Is that a concern?

I see that niacin is available in both capsules and tablets. The tablets are cheaper where I am so could I use those, or just the capsules bc they can be broken open and dispersed easier?

I only used brewers yeast so can't say much about the niacin except it seems either your going to have to crush the pill form or open the capsule. If the feed doesn't have any niacin in it I say it would be best to feed it to them for the short term. I gave my house ducking brewers yeast for 12 weeks.

 

[Missy60]

Quote:
I am really not sure. Mine seem to pick at the areas that are getting new feather growth, removing the fluff as new feathers come in. Their tails now have mostly all new feathers. I think they all do molt a bit at times.

I have questions about the niacin. I was told it wasn't necessary at the feed store. I have been feeding them Dumor chick starter as well as veggies, but the chick starter does NOT say it has niacin at all on the bag. So now I'm worried that they won't have enough. Does anyone else use this feed?

If I get extra niacin in capsules I can just put it in their water, right? What happens if they get too much? Is that a concern?

I see that niacin is available in both capsules and tablets. The tablets are cheaper where I am so could I use those, or just the capsules bc they can be broken open and dispersed easier?

I also use brewers yeast that came in tablet form. I put the tablets in a Baggie and use a thick handle and crush them. What about grit I was told they need that also to digest veggies and stuff.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I also use brewers yeast that came in tablet form. I put the tablets in a Baggie and use a thick handle and crush them. What about grit I was told they need that also to digest veggies and stuff.

If they are still in a brooder without acsess to the ground then by all means offer chick grit, if you are wanting to start feeding some veggies.

 

[KMarie7]

Ok. Yes that have grit. They didn't have regular niacin where I was at, only the slow release kind. So I got brewer's yeast in tablet form. How much should they get each day?

 

[Missy60]

That's a good question. I was told with the brewers yeast to just sprinkle some on their food. I don't know if I'm right or not but I have two ducks so I have been crushing two tablets a day and sprinkling that on their food.

 

[Missy60]

From what I've read niacin is B3 and brewers yeast has that and other B vitamins in it. I know with humans you can't get to much B vitamins because your body gets rid of the extra. I just thought it would work that way with ducks also, but I'm really new to ducklings.

 

[KMarie7]

Ok, that makes sense. I notice on the bottle the niacin levels in brewers yeast is much much lower than the pure niacin capsules. Ive been giving them two tablets crushed up with their food. Seems to be working.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Ok, that makes sense. I notice on the bottle the niacin levels in brewers yeast is much much lower than the pure niacin capsules. Ive been giving them two tablets crushed up with their food. Seems to be working.

I just sprinkled 1 teas. on top of my house ducklings food last year. [Brewers yeast that is]