Medicated feed for ducklings?

[azhenhouse]

Quote:
This is what Dave Holderread says, "TURKEY OR GAME-BIRD STARTER/GROWER: Turkey and game-bird starter/growers have plenty of niacin for ducklings but are excessively high in protein at 22 percent or higher. Because of their high protein content, they can cause a variety of physical problems (especially leg and wing deformities) and damage the kidneys and liver if fed as the sole ration to ducklings". Then, he goes on to say, " Some people have satisfactory results by mixing one part chick starter, one part turkey or game-bird starter/grower, and one-half part uncooked oatmeal for a starting and growing ration for ducklings when duck starter/grower is not available". You can find this information in, Storey's Guide To Raising Ducks by Dave Holderread.

Just food for thought.

 

[the duck whisperer]

No . not med. feed that will might them act strange . I use purina starter for waterfowl

 

[SassyKat6181]

went to a different tsc closer to home to return the med feed i was given yesterday and the manager had a fit when i told her the associate at the other store sent me home with it. she immediately got on the phone with the other store and told them to not give med feed or put meds in their water. glad i looked into it further. they didn't eat much last night and hopefully will be ok.

 

[desertdarlene]

Quote:
They should be OK if they're not showing any signs of distress already. I think I heard somewhere that the medicine that they put in chick feed nowadays isn't as much a danger to ducks than what they used to put in the past. But, it's always good to be careful as you never know for sure.

 

[KansasKid]

The medicated chick starter won't hurt them. I have read time and time again on here different opinions and the origin of this myth. I have fed numerous batches of ducklings chick starter and all, yes all! made it to adults. The reason for all this was presumably a chemical no longer found in the feed, if i can find it i'll mention it later.