New ducklings

[kmartinez]

I saw some ducklings at tractor supply and I fell in love omg. However I need some advice..tractor supply is feeding them chick starter. I set up their brooder like one would for chicks...heat lamp waterer , feed container.. however I cant find duck food..also the heat lamp do i regulate that like chicks 85-90 and than decrease temp every week?

Because I saw tractor supply giving them chick starter I went ahead and got two of them and they are eating organic chick starter right now i am keeping their temp at 85 and they seem to be happy running about eating and drinking nicely...

The woman at tractor supply said she raised ducks before and they was just like chickens except they like water more..LOL but after reading more it seems their diet is not the same as i was told


thanks for any advice...

 

[poult]

Chick starter is fine but it can't be medicated chick starter that is no good!

 

[poult]

Protein Requirements Of Ducklings:

0-2 Weeks = 21% protein

3-9 Weeks = 17% protein

9 Weeks + = 14% protein

After first egg = 16% protein

This is what McMurray Hatchery says.

 

[needlessjunk]

I would get a book like Storey's Guide to Riasing Ducks and read this https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/750869/raising-and-caring-for-ducklings Congrats on the ducklings! They grow soooooo fast so be prepared.

 

[DUCKOBSESSED]

Also ducks need more niacin than chicks. I supplement them with brewers yeast. You can get it at a health food store.

 

[kmartinez]

how much should I put in the food I only found how much to put in 100lbs of food i dont have that much cause my chicks still eat some starter i mix it some of it with their developer to switch them over.. But the ducks are eating this right now .

http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/manna-proreg;-organic-starter-crumbles-5-lb

 

[needlessjunk]

I put a teaspoon or so over about a cup of food.

 

[DUCKOBSESSED]

I put a teaspoon or so over about a cup of food.

This is what i do as well

 

[kmartinez]

can I use this, I went to publix and i saw this Bob's Red Mill Active Dry Yeast , thought i would ask before i get it. my health food store is closed today

 

[DUCKOBSESSED]

It has to be brewers yeast not baking yeast.