Help, what to feed my ducklings!

[Rosie42892]

Hello,
I had posted a larger post earlier with no response, so I was hoping this shorter post would get some attention. I have week old cayuga ducklings. I have been feeding them unmedicated chick starter. I can not find waterfowl starter. I found game bird starter, chick starter, and just poultry starter. Are any of these adequate? Are there any supplements I can add? I don't mind spending a bit of money to ensure my ducklings health. If possible, recommendation of any feeds available at tractor supply or agway would be great! Thanks

 

[DenverDucky]

I fed my duck unmediated chick starter and everything was fine.

 

[momo18clara]

I've given my ducklings game bird starter and unmediated chick starter and they did great. I would think poultry starter, as long as its not medicated, would be fine too.

 

[ChristineR]

I feed waterfowl starter, but I've heard that Purina Flock Raiser has enough niacin for ducklings (they need more than chicks do).

 

[cosbackyard]

Waterfowl-specific feed where I buy is 50% more expensive than chicken feed. I just supplement with niacin and sav-a-chick for the tiny ones.

 

[Rosie42892]

Thank you to all who have responded. I found the Purina Flock Raiser Sunfresh which seems like it may be a bit better then chick starter. http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/purinareg;-flock-raiserreg;-sunfreshreg;-recipe-crumble-50-lb

I was thinking I would add niacin to either the food or water as well to ensure that they get enough. Do any of you consider this unneccesary or harmful? I don't want to overdo anything! Thank you for answer all of my newbie (and overly excited!) questions!

 

[EJPedrazzi]

When I switched out to Flock Raiser, I stopped supplementing the water with niacin as, from reading posts on here, I believe it has sufficient niacin for ducklings.

 

[Miss Lydia]

When I switched out to Flock Raiser, I stopped supplementing the water with niacin as, from reading posts on here, I believe it has sufficient niacin for ducklings.

I have fed FR for close to 9 yrs and have only supplemented with Brewers yeast once and that was with a duckling we had to raise because mama rejected him, Since he didn't have his mama to show him what to eat I felt it was better to be safe and offer the brewers yeast sprinkled on top of his feed till he was about 12 weeks old. Some ducklings do fine with out supplemtation others seem to need it, so I'd have it on hand in case you start noticing weakness in their legs. that way your on top of it quick. Brewers yeast is another form of Niacin.

 

[FatBottomGirls]

So you feed Flock Raiser instead of Starter when they are tiny? Or are you saying that once they are off of Starter, the FR has enough Niacin in it that you don't have to supplement anymore?

 

[Carcajou]

Purina FlockRaiser should work for the entire lifetime of your ducks. I have never had to add a niacin supplement with FR. When they start laying, depending on how they lay and the quality of their eggshells, you may want to consider some oyster shell or mixing in a layer formula with the FR.