New duck owner

[MagpieDucks]

While there are medicated feeds that have proven safe for ducks, there are others that have not. I prefer to not even worry about it and feed non medicated so there's no risk of it bothering them. John Metzer has a very good article on the subject posted on his website. I would encourage you to peruse all his articles as they are gold mine of information to those interested in raising waterfowl properly.

Most people don't recommend using chick starter for duckling as its lacking the extra vitamins / minerals that they need. Niacin (vitamin B3) is the most essential but I'm told there are others as well. If you can only find chick starter in your area then its highly recommended to use a good vitamin / mineral supplement, or at least to supplement Niacin.

This is the best one I have found, it is also recommended and sold by Metzer Farms in their feed/supplement section. https://www.qcsupply.com/549992-bvs-starter-pak.html

Purina Flock Raiser is what the majority of us have found best suits raising ducklings, but there are others as well. Once your ducklings get bigger you can switch to pellets if you like. Purina flock raiser is available in a pellet form, but for some reason its hard to find. Only one feed store within driving distance of me sells both the pelleted and crumble forms.

Supplementing Niacin is generally not needed with Flock Raiser, however it is never a bad idea as you can't overdose it if your giving it at the suggested amounts. This is especially true for Pekins, as they are the fastest growing duck and therefore need the most nutrients to support their fast growth.

Nutrena All Flock which is about the same thing except its only available as a pellet, and Nutrena does not recommend feeding it until your birds are at least 8 weeks old. I have wondered if this means there isn't enough Niacin in it for the ducks fast growth stage (which is the first 8 weeks of their life) or if they are simply concerned about the size of the pellet as it is a very large pellet.

I hope this answers your questions about the proper feeding of ducklings. If not, continue to ask and we will do our best to answer you.

I highly encourage you to buy and read Stories guide to raising ducks, by Dave Holderead (hope I spelled his name right). Dave and John Metzer are the best sources of information I have ever found and I believe them to be the two most knowledgeable people on the subject in the world.

 

[Timothy Menezes]

Thank you @MagpieDucks

 

[Ducky2]

While there are medicated feeds that have proven safe for ducks, there are others that have not. I prefer to not even worry about it and feed non medicated so there's no risk of it bothering them. John Metzer has a very good article on the subject posted on his website. I would encourage you to peruse all his articles as they are gold mine of information to those interested in raising waterfowl properly.

Most people don't recommend using chick starter for duckling as its lacking the extra vitamins / minerals that they need. Niacin (vitamin B3) is the most essential but I'm told there are others as well. If you can only find chick starter in your area then its highly recommended to use a good vitamin / mineral supplement, or at least to supplement Niacin.

This is the best one I have found, it is also recommended and sold by Metzer Farms in their feed/supplement section. https://www.qcsupply.com/549992-bvs-starter-pak.html

Purina Flock Raiser is what the majority of us have found best suits raising ducklings, but there are others as well. Once your ducklings get bigger you can switch to pellets if you like. Purina flock raiser is available in a pellet form, but for some reason its hard to find. Only one feed store within driving distance of me sells both the pelleted and crumble forms.

Supplementing Niacin is generally not needed with Flock Raiser, however it is never a bad idea as you can't overdose it if your giving it at the suggested amounts. This is especially true for Pekins, as they are the fastest growing duck and therefore need the most nutrients to support their fast growth.

Nutrena All Flock which is about the same thing except its only available as a pellet, and Nutrena does not recommend feeding it until your birds are at least 8 weeks old. I have wondered if this means there isn't enough Niacin in it for the ducks fast growth stage (which is the first 8 weeks of their life) or if they are simply concerned about the size of the pellet as it is a very large pellet.

I hope this answers your questions about the proper feeding of ducklings. If not, continue to ask and we will do our best to answer you.

I highly encourage you to buy and read Stories guide to raising ducks, by Dave Holderead (hope I spelled his name right). Dave and John Metzer are the best sources of information I have ever found and I believe them to be the two most knowledgeable people on the subject in the world.

Thank you. I will definitely try to find that feed and the resource you mentioned.

 

[Ducky2]

That doesnt look good but its hard to tell

is the area hot or warmer then the rest of it?
is it a soft or hard lump?
What does that ducklings poop look like compared to everyone elses?

@casportpony and @Miss Lydia will hopefully keep an eye out here

Of course more pictures the better

I quickly went back to your original post to make sure I answered your questions. For the oddly shaped leg, I am hoping that proper feed and nutrition will help his body to regain its proper form. TSC most likely fed ordinary chick starter with no supplements which caused the deformation. Ducklings (especially Pekins) without sufficient levels of Niacin will develop leg deformities. Hopefully you caught it in time and your bird will be fine.

The other less likely possibility is that its a birth defect and there isn't anything I know of to fix it. If it doesn't show signs of improvement soon I would take it to a vet. I believe Metzer's website has a list of vets that will treat waterfowl.

Good luck with your ducklings!

Also any idea about how old these ducks look? And how can I tell male or female?

 

[Knighstar679]

Nutrena All Flock which is about the same thing except its only available as a pellet, and Nutrena does not recommend feeding it until your birds are at least 8 weeks old. I have wondered if this means there isn't enough Niacin in it for the ducks fast growth stage (which is the first 8 weeks of their life) or if they are simply concerned about the size of the pellet as it is a very large pellet.

.

I emailed Nutrena last week to find out the answer to how much Niacin is in their products. Nature wise chick starter has 185mg/kg, all flock both in nature wise and country feed have 125mg/kg. So both have enough for duckling. I would guess it’s protein or size for their age recommendation.

 

[Timothy Menezes]

I emailed Nutrena last week to find out the answer to how much Niacin is in their products. Nature wise chick starter has 185mg/kg, all flock both in nature wise and country feed have 125mg/kg. So both have enough for duckling. I would guess it’s protein or size for their age recommendation.

Awesome! So there is 84mg/lb in the starter (which is more than I would have thought) and the All Flock only has 56mg/lb? Nutrena's All Flock is not impressing me, but the starter is pretty decent.

See if you can find out how much is in Purina's Flock Raiser, when I asked all I got was "Its enough for ducks".

 

[Ducky2]

That doesnt look good but its hard to tell

is the area hot or warmer then the rest of it?
is it a soft or hard lump?
What does that ducklings poop look like compared to everyone elses?

@casportpony and @Miss Lydia will hopefully keep an eye out here

Of course more pictures the better

I checked this hip area it isn’t hard, no heat in it and since I have been giving supplements to it directly it seems to be getting better. Feeding the purina flock raiser now also. . Giving them some green peas and a little watermelon for treats and they scarf it up.
And the poop looks the same as the others.

How and when can I tell which are male and female??

 

[Timothy Menezes]

Your first indication of sex will probably be quacking. Girls will have regular quack, and the guys will be a much lower pitched croaking sound.

I would continue with the extra Niacin until your ducks are at least 8 weeks old, or until his leg is better.

 

[Ducky2]

Ok thanks so much.

 

[Ducky2]

Ok thanks so much.

Your first indication of sex will probably be quacking. Girls will have regular quack, and the guys will be a much lower pitched croaking sound.

I would continue with the extra Niacin until your ducks are at least 8 weeks old, or until his leg is better.

Can you give my an idea on how old you think these ducks may be from the picture I posted?