last minute duck ?s

[cw]

alright are ducklings are coming next week, and there is not 1 feed store that carries non-medicated chick starter (its all medicated) or i cant find any brewers yeast,
I asked one of the feed store owners and he said they they would be just fine on the medicated
?s do they really need non medicated?
if so can i dilute the feed with something to make it not as medicated or does anyone have any other suggestion

 

[cw]

and if anyone else has raised ducklings on mediated feed i would like to hear about that as well

 

[10ducks]

Just type ducks and medicated feed in the search box and you will find this has been discussed and answered many many times on this board. Short answer is that the medications that used to be put in chick starter was bad for ducklings. These medications have largely been replaced by amprolium, aka ampro, which is fine for ducklings. However, ducklings need more niacin than is available in chick starter, so people who use it need to supplement with brewer's yeast or a niacin supplement. Again, just type ducks and niacin in the search box (upper right), and you will find extensive information about this. Good luck with your new ducklings, and have fun!

 

[cw]

yea ive looked through some of that, and it got frustrating,
has any raised them on just chick starter, and they been just fine or did thet die in a week, or what expience did they have

 

[Wifezilla]

They will be FINE if the only medication is ampro.

 

[cw]

is that the most common?, whats the chances its not the ampro

 

[Wifezilla]

Slim to none. Read the bag.

 

[cw]

oh yea how do i sex the ducklings, they are fawn and white runners, khaki campells, and black swedish

 

[Wifezilla]

There is a sticky at the top of the duck forum that gives a lot of details, but basically, you will have to wait a few weeks. If it is LOUD and quacks, it is a girl. If it makes a raspy peep noise, it is a boy. Eventually the boys get a curly drake feather, but your first indication is usually voice. That sticky has sound files attached so you will know what I am talking about.

Ducks grow so quickly and they are messy, but boy are they cute and very entertaining!

 

[cw]

ok, i was thinking you could tell by the color of there bills