how long do my ducks need brewers yeast?

[Mariakissinger132]

my ducks are now 10 weeks old! there so big! and i was wondering how much longer do i need to keep putting brewers yeast in there food?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Pekins right? I’d just make it standard practice because it doesn’t hurt them an can defiantly help keep those legs supported. How is your one doing your giving the liquid b complex to?

 

[Isaac 0]

x2!

I would give them a niacin supplement for the rest of their life along with a feed formulated for ducks.

 

[Mariakissinger132]

Pekins right? I’d just make it standard practice because it doesn’t hurt them an can defiantly help keep those legs supported. How is your one doing your giving the liquid b complex to?

thanks and my little guy came out of the coop today and is exploring with the others he is doing a lot better and i am so greatful for both your guys advice! you saved my ducklings life

 

[Isaac 0]

thanks and my little guy came out of the coop today and is exploring with the others he is doing a lot better and i am so greatful for both your guys advice! you saved my ducklings life

That is so great to hear!

 

[Miss Lydia]

That’s so awesome but don’t stop giving the B complex till at least a week after no symptoms at all. We don’t want a relapse.

 

[Ratchnick]

my ducks are now 10 weeks old! there so big! and i was wondering how much longer do i need to keep putting brewers yeast in there food?

The niacin deformation is associated with growth. That's why most of the problems occur when ducks are young and growing rapidly. Giving niacin for the rest of its life seems a little preposterous. It would be easier to switch feeds.

 

[Isaac 0]

The niacin deformation is associated with growth. That's why most of the problems occur when ducks are young and growing rapidly. Giving niacin for the rest of its life seems a little preposterous. It would be easier to switch feeds.

Keep a heavy-weight breed for a few years, and you'll know why I recommend it. I agree with you that it's not as common when they are older, BUT I have had two-year-old Pekins develop pigeon-toed feet, they were being fed an all flock feed with no niacin supplementation.

 

[Miss Lydia]

And @Ratchnick Nutritional yeast and Brewers yeast are healthy alternatives to niacin pills. They are even good for us. No reason why we cannot support our birds with something that can't hurt them and can hopefully keep their legs strong for their entire life. We all know anything processed loses quite a bit of vitamins so supplementing just helps in the long run.

 

[Ratchnick]

The problem with the yeast approach is you need to add so much of it that it dilutes the other nutrients in the feed. In a 50 lb bag of feed you need something like 5-7 lbs of yeast. Plus That stuff is $3-5/lbs so its really expensive long term, literally doubling your feed bill.