help feeding baby ducks

[Lacrystol]

I was told not to feed two day old baby ducks chicken starter that's medicated so I called around some feeds stores they are telling me to feed the baby ducks chicken layer crumbs??? should I feed them chicken layer crumb they just hatched out Saturday. If not what do I feed them?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Quote:
should not feed layer till they start to lay, I'd find another feed store because their is non medicated stater/grower. congrats on the new babies. forgot to say why, ducklings should not have the extra calcium thats in the layer.

 

[Evelle]

they have no unmedicated starter feed??? thats what you should be feeding them.

EDIT and it right DO NOT GIVE THEM MEDICATED FOOD i can and will kill them.

 

[Lacrystol]

I didn't think that was right but so far two stores had told me the crumbs is fine.

 

[Evelle]

Quote:
no i think it has to much calc. in it for their little bodys. they need crumbles starter/Grower feed that has high protein to help them grow up they rate they are sposta

 

[Miss Lydia]

Quote:
Well just cause someone works at a feed store doesn't make them an expert on feed, I went to ours once looking for wormer for my chickens and the feed store employee told me to put bleach in their water. Best to research before going.

 

[Ragdollcatlady]

If you can't find unmedicated chick starter, ask for unmedicated game bird starter. The gamebird is usually unmedicated, but they might try to sell you turkey starter, OK of its unmedicated too. The turker or gamebird are also higher in protein/niacin which is important for waterfowl leg development.
Kat

 

[1234duck]

Medicated Feed WON'T Kill Ducklings... It used to be a problem- but manufacturers have changed what they medicate with so its now safe for waterfowl. ~Julie~ Edited to say..... I had the same problem, trying to find UnMedicated feed. So when I found out from another reliable BYC person about Medicated/Un Medicated Feed I was glad.

 

[1234duck]

Chick Starter is in a crumble. If you have a Walmart store, they should have it there (they do at our Walmart) in case you need another place to try for chick starter.. I think a Feed Store "might" be more helpful re: feed/food instead of a "pet store" in M/O. I've been having that problem... you must know what you need a head of time b/c in my opinion they will surely confuse you. Good luck, ~Julie~

 

[DB_Tex]

I started my first set of ducklings on gerber baby rice cereal (it was packed with niacin), soy flour and a little cornmeal mixed in and leftover fruit/veggie babyfood. They liked it a lot and I ended up with some pretty sturdy duckies.