Niacin Deficiencies in Goslings & Ducklings (growth & leg problems)

[Miss Lydia]

My day old ducklings are going to be arriving on may 6. This is the food I ordered to get them started on, I'm hopping it will have all the nutrition needed for them to be healthy. I have never own any ducks nor chickens before, I'm a brand new mom! Would someone please let me know if I ordered the right food?

Being able to find duck starter is great, most of us have to use an all flock or chick starter and add niacin, but yours show it has niacin supplement in it so hopefully you'll not have any leg problems. Congrats on your ducklings, what breed did you order and

have you seen this https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/750869/raising-and-caring-for-ducklings#post_10611711

 

[aprille218]

It looks like decent food but a bit pricey. How many ducklings are you getting?

 

[AlmaB]

I ordered 6 ducklings and paid a little extra to have them sexed, if all goes well ill end up with no drakes. I ordered 2 runners one black and one brown, two kaki Campbell's and two golden 300. Their coop was just delivered last night.

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[Haunted55]

The one problem I have with the feed is where the niacin is listed in the ingredients. It's pretty far down on the list...about the same placement as Purina Flock Raiser. You may want to add some additional niacin anyways. I have found the Blue Seal to have a decent niacin level but I still add niacin to my duck's water as she does have issues with one of her legs. After she grabs the pill out of her water bowl she is able to get up and walk correctly. I think some ducks just have a harder time assimilating the niacin from the feed so that they don't run into problems.

 

[AlmaB]

Good to know, I will make sure to add some to their feed. Thank you. Btw, for how long do I need to make sure the get the right amounts of Niacin?

 

[AlmaB]

I just google brewers yeast and there are so many different kinds and brands listed. Does anyone here has any specific brand they prefer?

 

[Haunted55]

Good to know, I will make sure to add some to their feed. Thank you. Btw, for how long do I need to make sure the get the right amounts of Niacin?

I gave it to mine for 2 months, but mine were able to go out and forage then. Once ducks can start foraging for themselves they will supply the extra niacin they need with bugs and such. Mmmm, lol. This last winter I did make sure that mine got some added to their water every now and then.

 

[villein]

How did bakers yeast work for you? Or did you ever receive a reply? Brewers yeast is harder to find and I have bakers.

Thanks!

 

[Kaessa]

Baking yeast won't work, you need brewer's yeast or nutritional yeast.

 

[villein]

Thank you very much. I got supplements, but they are capsules. I'll get some of the right yeast next time I'm at Whole Foods.