How to care for ducklings?? I'm unprepared and they are due tomorrow!

[LaynaDon95]

According to... someone one here, that's fine except that they need more niacin. Though I have known people who didn't supplement them and they were fine. I wouldn't worry.

So... I have a couple questions that haven't been answered yet.
How important is a niacin supplement, with them being on chick starter? (Like I said, I've known people who didn't do it and their chicks are fine. I just want to know what it does and how important it is?)
Are my silkies going to die being shipped with ducklings?? 0.0 I'm all scared now!

 

[Nsampsel]

COUNTRYBOI: Check your feed bag. Usually on the back it tells you exactly what it is appropriate for. Personally, I'm using Purina Flock Raiser (it's non-medicated) & setting out oyster shell for my 2 that are laying already. I know a few of my birds are a little old for the Flock Raiser, but the majority are within range, even the ducks. Plus, it's just about impossible to keep 3-4 older birds out of the food meant for the other 28 or so when they are all housed together...so I just go with what most of them need & so far, everything has been fine.

 

[zooweemama]

According to... someone one here, that's fine except that they need more niacin. Though I have known people who didn't supplement them and they were fine. I wouldn't worry.

So... I have a couple questions that haven't been answered yet.
How important is a niacin supplement, with them being on chick starter? (Like I said, I've known people who didn't do it and their chicks are fine. I just want to know what it does and how important it is?)
Are my silkies going to die being shipped with ducklings?? 0.0 I'm all scared now!

I wouldn't think they'd ship them together if it were a problem? It's standing room only really- so I am not sure they have enough room to really trample one another.

 

[COUNTRYBOI]

ok it will be a couple days befor i can get some I get most of my feed at rural king because it's close to me but spent all my money today on the other feeds 1 bag dog food $21 6 bags chick starter and 4 bags layer broke my lil piggy bank lol

 

[zooweemama]

According to... someone one here, that's fine except that they need more niacin. Though I have known people who didn't supplement them and they were fine. I wouldn't worry.

So... I have a couple questions that haven't been answered yet.
How important is a niacin supplement, with them being on chick starter? (Like I said, I've known people who didn't do it and their chicks are fine. I just want to know what it does and how important it is?)
Are my silkies going to die being shipped with ducklings?? 0.0 I'm all scared now!

Oh and the Niacin. http://metzerfarms.blogspot.com/2011/03/are-my-ducklings-leg-problems-due-to.html

And from my books it says some ducks can be fine while others won't be. That it's not predictable who will be affected. I play the safe route. It reminds me of pregnant moms taking folic acid. Some will say they never took and look my baby is fine- but then some moms don't take it and - spina bifida. It's essential so most mom's just make sure they take it- just in case.

 

[Nsampsel]

Layna: There's no water in the shipping boxes. The only problem I had was the ducks soaking my chicks while playing in the waterer. No water means no wet chicks. They will ship just fine.

 

[COUNTRYBOI]

COUNTRYBOI: Check your feed bag. Usually on the back it tells you exactly what it is appropriate for. Personally, I'm using Purina Flock Raiser (it's non-medicated) & setting out oyster shell for my 2 that are laying already. I know a few of my birds are a little old for the Flock Raiser, but the majority are within range, even the ducks. Plus, it's just about impossible to keep 3-4 older birds out of the food meant for the other 28 or so when they are all housed together...so I just go with what most of them need & so far, everything has been fine.

yeah i looked at it ... it is medicated willm this hurt my ducks? it's what i feed everything else is why i had it like i said hard to find it here with out medicated unless you get meat bird or pay big money for purina can't afford it

 

[zooweemama]

yeah i looked at it ... it is medicated willm this hurt my ducks? it's what i feed everything else is why i had it like i said hard to find it here with out medicated unless you get meat bird or pay big money for purina can't afford it

My starter feed is medicated. It's all I could find. My duckies are fine.

 

[COUNTRYBOI]

My starter feed is medicated. It's all I could find. My duckies are fine.

thats good to hear worried me for a min got alot invested in these lil duckies would like to see them all make it they are seem really healthy the people that raised them done a good job... just hope their honest on breeds and hope i have males and females


THANKS "MATT"

 

[jessiduck]

Jessiduck, this statement confuses me. I don't think ducklings can drown in this type of dish (it's a mason jar, so not very big). They won't be able to fit their bodies in the lip. They do need to submerge their nares once they begin eating, otherwise they could choke or suffocate.

That's exactly what I meant.