Niacin with grown ducks

[Rachaels Zoo]

Hi!

is it possible to give too much niacin to a grown duck? (I’m sure it is at some point)

does anyone know symptoms of too much niacin in a duck? How they would react?
Thank you for any info!!

 

[Bird_Lover_17]

@Isaac 0

 

[Isaac 0]

This is from here :

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/niacin-deficiency-in-waterfowl.1367557/

Possible overdose

If you search "Can I overdose my duckling on niacin?" you'll likely end up finding several answers claiming, that you can't since niacin is water-soluble and isn't stored in the body like other vitamins, but just passes through without being stored into any tissue.

The problem with this claim is humans, and dogs can have serious side effects when given too much niacin, so why can't birds?

I decided to research this a bit more, and found this link which state's,

"Limited research indicated that nicotinic acid and nicotinamide are toxic at dietary intakes greater than about 350 mg per kg (160 mg per lb) of body weight per day (NRC, 1987). Clinical signs for niacin toxicosis in chicks include reduced egg production, growth retardation, short legs and coarse, dense feathering. High dietary levels of niacin (0.75% to 2.0%) fed to broilers were detrimental to dimensions and mechanical properties of bone (Johnson et al., 1992; 1995; Leeson and Summers, 2001). There was no change in the mineral content of the tibia, but bone strength decreased with increased susceptibility to fracture."

That said, it appears niacin can actually have reverse effects when birds are given too much, and can cause a weakened overall bone strength, as well as increased susceptibility to fracture.

 

[Rachaels Zoo]

This is from here :

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/niacin-deficiency-in-waterfowl.1367557/

Possible overdose

If you search "Can I overdose my duckling on niacin?" you'll likely end up finding several answers claiming, that you can't since niacin is water-soluble and isn't stored in the body like other vitamins, but just passes through without being stored into any tissue.

The problem with this claim is humans, and dogs can have serious side effects when given too much niacin, so why can't birds?

I decided to research this a bit more, and found this link which state's,

"Limited research indicated that nicotinic acid and nicotinamide are toxic at dietary intakes greater than about 350 mg per kg (160 mg per lb) of body weight per day (NRC, 1987). Clinical signs for niacin toxicosis in chicks include reduced egg production, growth retardation, short legs and coarse, dense feathering. High dietary levels of niacin (0.75% to 2.0%) fed to broilers were detrimental to dimensions and mechanical properties of bone (Johnson et al., 1992; 1995; Leeson and Summers, 2001). There was no change in the mineral content of the tibia, but bone strength decreased with increased susceptibility to fracture."

That said, it appears niacin can actually have reverse effects when birds are given too much, and can cause a weakened overall bone strength, as well as increased susceptibility to fracture.

thank you for this! I couldn’t find it anywhere!
It seems symptoms of lack of niacin and too much niacin are very similar...is there a way to test niacin levels?

 

[corriemartin]

How much niacin do adult ducks need?

 

[Isaac 0]

How much niacin do adult ducks need?

55mg per kg of feed for most duck breeds. For a heavyweight breed like Pekins, you may up the content a little more to help prevent leg issues.