New Ducklings Sitting a lot

[Quatie]

I have the Purina Flock Raiser. I looked up the niacin content of the feed and it's hard to find a number for that. It says guaranteed enough for ducklings but I'm not seeing an actual amount.

So purina contains at least 55 ppm according to the purina expert on TSC. Their article below claims 60 ppm. The minimum for ducklings is 55 ppm. Your feed is fine as is. So the nutritional yeast is just extra.

Hopefully this link works.
https://www.purinamills.com/2.purin...cks-and-Other-Poultry-E-book_FINAL_072319.pdf

 

[Ratchnick]

If your using flock raiser and not a duck starter i would do some serious niacin supplementing. I hate brewers yeast because your supposed to use 1 T per cup of food. In other words 1:16 ratio. Even If you put that much in it sinks to the bottom and doesn't get eaten. A liquid vitamin is much easier to dose. Im not saying they are defficent but lots of sitting is a major sign of niacin deficency.

 

[Aunt Angus]

You can try nutritional yeast, too. It has a higher amount of niacin. I've been using it with my 4 week old ducklings, and I haven't noticed any issues.

And, yes, 2 speeds. Totally agree.

 

[DuckDuckSook]

If your using flock raiser and not a duck starter i would do some serious niacin supplementing. I hate brewers yeast because your supposed to use 1 T per cup of food. In other words 1:16 ratio. Even If you put that much in it sinks to the bottom and doesn't get eaten. A liquid vitamin is much easier to dose. Im not saying they are defficent but lots of sitting is a major sign of niacin deficency.

Okay. I'll see if I can get some liquid. I've been using nutritional yeast - the Now brand recommended by many people on here, not brewer's yeast.

 

[DuckDuckSook]

So I'm going to get some tablets for their water. Should I still continue with the nutritional yeast also? Can they get too much niacin that way? Is this a good supplement https://www.amazon.com/Bluebonnet-N...words=niacin+for+ducks&qid=1615126769&sr=8-17
It doesn't say flush free or extended release. I was going to put 1 tablet in a quart of water (their current waterer is only a quart). I saw 500 mg for 4 gallons, which would mean 125 mg for 1 gallon. I figured 1 tablet in a quart would ensure they would get enough or maybe that is way too much. Should I try to put a quarter of that in?

 

[DuckDuckSook]

Now is one of the most recommended brands on this site. A lot of people use it. Before trying to change what you are doing, let's see what the naicin content is in your feed. I always hear check the naicin content on chicken feed and such. Every feed I have investigated so far has the minimum amount. I always add brewers yeast just in case, but I really don't need to. Now if I was raising Pekin again, I would have to supplement their feed, because they require higher amounts of naicin. They are fast growing heavy breed, so they need more. You have runners, so this is not the case. Let us know what feed you have, we might be able to help you with the naicin content.

Here is a great article on naicin and what to use https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/nutritional-yeast-vs-brewers-yeast.1393856/

And honestly them sitting and resting is completely normal at this age. I would look for other signs than just that. If they are really weak, they won't have the energy to move away from you and will be uncoordinated.

If you want to learn more about naicin deficiency, here is a good article.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/niacin-deficiency-in-waterfowl.1367557/post-22517848

I have the Purina Flock Raiser. I looked up the niacin content of the feed and it's hard to find a number for that. It says guaranteed enough for ducklings but I'm not seeing an actual amount. I've checked out all the stickies and articles on niacin. I'm adding 1 tbsp of the Now Nutritional Yeast to 1 cup of their food. Niacin capsules of 100mg are being delivered today. The Blue Bonnet brand that doesn't say flush free or extended release. I was going to put 1 capsule into their water (1 quart) to be on the safe side that they get enough. Does that sound like a good plan? I feel like I'm being neurotic over here with how much I'm worrying about this. I just want to make sure I'm doing all that I can and giving these little ones the best care. Thank you for your help.

 

[DuckDuckSook]

So purina contains at least 55 ppm according to the purina expert on TSC. Their article below claims 60 ppm. The minimum for ducklings is 55 ppm. Your feed is fine as is. So the nutritional yeast is just extra.

Hopefully this link works.
https://www.purinamills.com/2.purin...cks-and-Other-Poultry-E-book_FINAL_072319.pdf

Okay thanks. I have the Niacin capsules on the way just in case. I just posted about the one duckling who I see sitting the most. Maybe she has an individual injury to her leg or foot. I've included some photos on that post.

 

[stripedgirls707]

@DuckDuckSook how are your babies now?