How much niacin?

[Ducky16]

My adult indian runners and campbells were having leg problems so I got some niacin at the drugstore. How much niacin should I give each duck every day? I plan to sprinkle it in their feed (purina layer pellets) but I don't want to overdose. Can you help me?

Thanks!

 

[Katy]

I just sprinkle it on like I'm salting my food 2 or 3 times a week.

 

[JosieR]

Storey's Guide says 100-150 mg in a gallon of water. It also cautions against giving too much, thinking if some is good, more is better. I was only able to get 500 mg capsules so I divided it up in apx 5 equal amounts and stored them in tin foil. I'm putting one of those per day in a gallon of water. So far, so good.

 

[columbiacritter]

Do you feed niacin because your ducks don't get to fresh greenery? I've never had an issue, but mine get out to graze every day.

 

[Ducky16]

My ducks free range over two acres of pasture.

 

[JosieR]

My understanding, from all the reading I've done here is the ducks can't absorb the niacin in greens (or can't aborb as much/as easily? I forget which) and so bugs are a good source of niacin which their bodies can absorb. However, my ducks are just starting to spend the day outside in a dog kennel with access to bugs so I have been giving them the niacin, although only the 100mg.