Is this ok?

[mtadkins5]

I will be getting my first ducklings and chicks next week and couldn't be more excited! I will be a first time duck and chicken owner!!! I have a couple of questions if you don't mind. Is it true that I can give both Purina® Start & Grow® SunFresh® Recipe Poultry ..Medicated from Tractor Supply? I know the ducklings need Niasin added. After I move them outside I plan on giving them Purina Flock Raiser SunFresh Recipe till about 18 weeks and then give them Purina Layena SunFresh Recipe, Pellet.I know used to you couldn't give medicated to the ducklings but my understanding you can now since the medication in it has changed. Also, do I need to worm them and if so how doo I do that? Lastly, do they need vaccines of any kind and if so what? I am trying to find a farm vet around here but that isn't easy

 

[scratch'n'peck]

The medicated starter is said to be fine for both chicks and ducklings now. The all flock is fine after the starter. It probably has more protein than they need but if they are grazing and free ranging some at that point it will balance out. Tractor Supply does have a Dumor grower that is supposed to be fine for chicks and ducks, too.

They won't need worming as chicks, and water fowl in general don't have as many issues with worms as chickens do. Some people worm their adult chickens regularly especially those who live in wet climates who have chickens exposed to mud a lot. Some do it every six months to a year. Here is a link with health info that includes tips on worming: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/517234/medical-treatments-recommended-by-bycers#post_6580204

If you are getting your chickens from the hatchery they can give some vaccines. I got the hatchery to do the Marek's vaccine for the chicks that I ordered, because it needs to be done in the first day or so after hatching (ducks can't get Mareks). The link above also has a link for vaccine info.

 

[mtadkins5]

Thanks for the info! I heard the Dumor feed makes their poop smell worse. I was going to use it until so many people told me that.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Just my 2 cents but I start all my ducklings and chicks on Flock raiser crumble, from hatch on never having to change their feed at all. and since my ducklings are with mama duck I don't even add extra niacin, I'm really not sure you would need to either if your ducklings were getting yard time. Congrats on getting your first flock, what are you getting?

 

[mtadkins5]

Is it true that Flockraiser may cause ducklings to gro too quickly and pos. lead to wing issues where they can't hold their wait as well? I am getting SAXONY & ANCONA ducks. I am getting LIGHT SUSSEX, SWEDISH FLOWER HENS, CORONATION SUSSEX, WELSUMMER, BIRCHEN MARANS, BLUE DOUBLE LACED BARNEVELDERS, BLACK & BLUE AMERAUCANAS, LAVENDER AMERAUCANAS chickens. Can you believe this all started from the eggs I found in my yard you helped me with?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Is it true that Flockraiser may cause ducklings to gro too quickly and pos. lead to wing issues where they can't hold their wait as well? I am getting SAXONY & ANCONA ducks. I am getting LIGHT SUSSEX, SWEDISH FLOWER HENS, CORONATION SUSSEX, WELSUMMER, BIRCHEN MARANS, BLUE DOUBLE LACED BARNEVELDERS, BLACK & BLUE AMERAUCANAS, LAVENDER AMERAUCANAS chickens. Can you believe this all started from the eggs I found in my yard you helped me with?

I have always fed Flock raiser never had angel wing, now when the blood feathers on their wings start to come in they go through a period where the wing will hang down and they are constantly picking it up in the right place but it's only because they are building the muscle up to hold those feathers full of blood. Has nothing to do with angel wing. You have got the duck and chicken math down pat.

very nice breeds you have chosen. I haven't ever heard of ducklings growing too fast because they ate FR but ducklings do grow fast, it's amazing. Look forward in seeing pics of your flock when you get it. Did you get your coop design built like you wanted?

 

[scratch'n'peck]

Is it true that Flockraiser may cause ducklings to gro too quickly and pos. lead to wing issues where they can't hold their wait as well? I am getting SAXONY & ANCONA ducks. I am getting LIGHT SUSSEX, SWEDISH FLOWER HENS, CORONATION SUSSEX, WELSUMMER, BIRCHEN MARANS, BLUE DOUBLE LACED BARNEVELDERS, BLACK & BLUE AMERAUCANAS, LAVENDER AMERAUCANAS chickens. Can you believe this all started from the eggs I found in my yard you helped me with?

I have read and heard from some experienced breeders that having too much protein in the diet once they finish up with the starter can raise the chances of angle wing. If the ducks are grazing when they are on the flock raiser then the protein level should balance out all right. Maybe if they were only eating flock raiser the higher protein could be a concern. If you give them access to grass and weeds or cut the protein level with some whole grains perhaps, then the protein level should be fine. But I think there is also a genetic component to angel wing.