Nutrients in addition to feed

[Carwile Chicks]

Hi all,
1. Should I consider adding nutrients to duckling feed? I'm getting two white pekins and one buff - females.


2. What duckling feed suggestions do you have?


Thx!

 

[nuthatched]

There should be the proper nutrients in duckling feed but pekins sometimes need extra niacin. @HollowOfWisps

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Many people like to add Nutritional or Brewers yeast to their ducklings food for the extra niacin. Larger breeds especially Pekins do tend to need extra niacin regardless as @nuthatched pointed out. I highly recommend keeping Durvet's B complex on hand in case you do start needing to treat for a niacin deficiency and "Poultry Cell" also is a great comprehensive vitamin supplement for ducklings. I give all ducklings Poultry Cell for their first week. As for what duckling feed brands to use a lot of that will depend on what's available to you locally or if you are willing to pay extra to have it shipped in. Many people use Manna Pro, Purina or Mazuri Waterfowl for their ducklings. I personally really like Kalmbach's Flock Maker. While not specifically a "duckling starter" I am a huge fan of the the nutrient and vitamins levels which are appropriate for ducklings. It also has a good niacin content (higher than both Manna Pro duckling starter and Purina's Duck feed). My ducklings all do very well on it.

 

[Carwile Chicks]

Great advice...thx much!