Niacin question

[Born A Duck Lover]

I know that you're supposed to supplement regular chick starter with niacin for ducklings, because they require much more than chicks. So I am feeding them flock raiser right now, but since they seemed to be a little weak in their legs I started sprinkling about 125 mg of niacin on their feed(I have twelve ducklings). They seemed to be doing better, but I wanted to know if it was safe to feed them more or whether I could just set a little dish of niacin in their pen or not. I'd like to make sure they have as much as they need, but I don't want to harm them. Does anyone have suggestions?

 

[conroy]

Idk about giving them more niacin but does your feed store have duck grower?

 

[Born A Duck Lover]

Unfortunately, no. I live in a small town where I have to mix and match whatever the feed store has in order to feed my waterfowl. Most people around here have chickens or turkeys. I used to live in a bigger small town that did have food for waterfowl, though. Awfully convenient.

 

[katharinad]

The niacin ration should be 100mg per one gallon of water.

 

[Born A Duck Lover]

But what if putting it in their water doesn't really seem like it works very well?

 

[tomingreeneco]

I added it to the water (do not use the time release type, as it does not mix well) and it worked fine. You can also add brewers yeast to the feed to supplement the niacin.

 

[Buttercup Chillin]

I don't use niacin or brewers yeast. I use Nutrional Yeast because I had it and it worked. I sprinkled it on their food until they walked right. Then every other day. Now its a normal food additive several times a week. They know that jar and come running, they especially like it sprinkled on their grain mix.

I started sprinkling it on the chicken food too for the Roos. Seems to help them also when they are mating heavily and are walking around a little limp legged. Actually that doesn't happen anymore. Chickens like it too. It's also good on pop corn.

 

[Born A Duck Lover]

All righty, thanks for the posts, guys.

It's helpful to see what everyone else does.

 

[katharinad]

I buy this https://www.gqfmfg.com/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=231
It comes in powder form and stores nicely in a mason jar or ziploc bag for an entire year. It has all the vitamins, electrolytes, niacin, and probiotics in it. It mixes well too. 1 teaspoon for 1 gallon. My ducklings get it every day until they are 10 days old, weekly until 12 weeks, and then monthly, and twice per monthly when laying eggs.
My ducks have very strong legs (ring size 12 at 3 months) and look very healthy.

 

[ranchhand]

Quote:
And baked potatos!

I got some Niacin caps from the pharmacy and sprinkled it on their food, just like I was salting it. All 4 ducks did fine.