We’re feeding them grower feed which is whole grain through Scratch and Peck. We add niacin through brewer’s yeast or nutritional yeast at about 1T. per cup. It states that it is adequate nutritionally for both chicks and ducklings.
Everyone has been completely dry when we find them dead, although I will say the last duckling we lost was completely dry other than I noticed his neck was wet. Now this could easily have been because he was laying somewhat near the waterer and the ducklings were in and out of there and then running over him when they would move locations in the coop as a flock. I have no idea if this had anything to do with it or not. It is so steamy hot outside, even at night, I just could not consider the fact that they may be cold. However we have brought them in the last two nights and put them under some very low heat, and though they have seemed a bit too hot at first and we have needed to add more shade, they have been doing well. I really think it goes back to the water issue but that’s just what we think makes the most sense right now. Thanks so much for your input.
If you are feeding them the whole grain nutritional deficiency is likely of your deaths. Poultry will often pick out the grains and peas while leaving or spilling out the little pellets that have all of the nutrition and vitamins. It's the equivalent of giving a child veggies and dessert on the same plate and expecting them to eat both when given the choice. Many vets recommend against the whole grain feeds for this very reason.We’re feeding them grower feed which is whole grain through Scratch and Peck. We add niacin through brewer’s yeast or nutritional yeast at about 1T. per cup. It states that it is adequate nutritionally for both chicks and ducklings.
Also an interesting thought, in the daytime we have them free ranging on grass and eating the grasshoppers and bugs as stated. But we never have anyone die in the daytime. They seem very happy and very healthy in the daytime. They seem almost a little panicked when we put them in at night as if that’s the place that ducks go to die
We have started keeping them inside at night. This way I can watch their water levels constantly. We made them a no-spill waterer where they can dip their bills and heads in but that they cannot get into for the nighttime (as Miss Lydia recommended). This has been working very well and we’ve not lost any more birds since bringing them indoors. I’m hardly sleeping a wink because I’m constantly checking on them all night, but at least they are living
We have since concluded that it had to of been dehydration. My hubby reminded me the night that we lost three birds they had completely run out of water because they had splashed it all out. They couldn’t have been out without water for more than a few hours but still, it was enough to kill three. We are now much more vigilant on making sure their water setup is reliable. Thanks for all your input!
I have so heard something along these lines. Thank you for the info. In order to avoid this I have been adding water to the feed to make it more of a mash lately. Everyone does seem pretty plush and healthy looking. To my knowledge scratch and peck only has one grower feed and it is whole grain only! I think at this point I would prefer to not do whole-grain.
I would switch to an all flock pellet or crumble.
