Is this food safe for ducklings?

[Krysephone]

Hi,

I rescued a mallard duclking from my cat because he was torturing it. I didn't think it would live but it's a feisty little thing and I want to do everything I can to raise it happily and healthily. I have chickens so this isn't a completely brew thing but I have a few questions.

Primarily, is the pictured food safe for ducklings? I don't have the bag to see any other info and couldn't find info online (a friend gave me some food). I'm not sure how old the duckling is either so I'm not sure if the protein is enough. I gave it a scrambled egg yesterday and it ate that up so I can supplement protein easily enough.

I plan on getting another duckling or two so it has friends.

Any help is appreciated!

 

[Athena2344]

Unless it has duck or gamebird listed on it, i wouldn't use it

 

[casportpony]

Hi,

I rescued a mallard duclking from my cat because he was torturing it. I didn't think it would live but it's a feisty little thing and I want to do everything I can to raise it happily and healthily. I have chickens so this isn't a completely brew thing but I have a few questions.

Primarily, is the pictured food safe for ducklings? I don't have the bag to see any other info and couldn't find info online (a friend gave me some food). I'm not sure how old the duckling is either so I'm not sure if the protein is enough. I gave it a scrambled egg yesterday and it ate that up so I can supplement protein easily enough.

I plan on getting another duckling or two so it has friends. View attachment 1411656 View attachment 1411657

Any help is appreciated!

Welcome to BYC!
That feed will not work, you need to go to the feed store and get duck or chick starter. If you get chick starter you will need to add b vitamins, brewers yeast, or nutritional yeast because chick food does not contain enough.

If it is a mallard a better solution would be to call the nearest wildlife rescue center and surrender the duckling to them, especially if you cat injured it. Birds with cat bites usually need antibiotics.

 

[Krysephone]

Welcome to BYC!
That feed will not work, you need to go to the feed store and get duck or chick starter. If you get chick starter you will need to add b vitamins, brewers yeast, or nutritional yeast because chick food does not contain enough.

If it is a mallard a better solution would be to call the nearest wildlife rescue center and surrender the duckling to them, especially if you cat injured it. Birds with cat bites usually need antibiotics.

As far as I can find there is not a rescue anywhere near me. That was the first thing I checked. I only have a little of this food. I am more wondering if I can give it to the ducking until I get something better. But I don't want to give it anything that could make it sick. I knew about the brewers yeast. Is this food not safe for ducklings AT ALL?

 

[PirateGirl]

I agree with calling a wildlife center. Your local animal control should be able to point you in the right direction. In many places it is illegal to keep wild birds. The food you have should not harm the duckling. You can certainly feed it, if that's what you have on hand. I would consider that to be a short term solution until the duckling can get appropriate nutrition, as others have mentioned. If it's pellets you may need to crush them to be smaller and/or soak in some water.

 

[PirateGirl]

If you ask in your local group, someone might know of a rescue facility or something that can help you out.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/find-your-states-thread.270925/

 

[casportpony]

As far as I can find there is not a rescue anywhere near me. That was the first thing I checked. I only have a little of this food. I am more wondering if I can give it to the ducking until I get something better. But I don't want to give it anything that could make it sick. I knew about the brewers yeast. Is this food not safe for ducklings AT ALL?

That food is not dangerous, but it does not have enough protein, vitamins, and minerals for a young duckling. Sure, feed it for a day or two, but get some proper food ASAP, like by Saturday at the latest.

 

[beccaWA]

Go to the drugstore and get cheap niacin capsules (do NOT get the no-flush kind). Take the capsules apart and put 100 mgs of the powder per gallon of water. This will keep them from getting leg problems. (and I second the chick starter. Get non-medicated)

 

[casportpony]

Get non-medicated)

Ducklings don't normally need medicated feed, but it *is safe* to use. This thread explains why:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...dicated-feed-the-myths-and-the-truth.1247838/

 

[chickens really]

Hmm..16% is pretty low for starter feed for Ducklings.
Where did you find it? Pond close by and Momma might take it right back..