One duck growing slower?

[RebekahK]

I have 2 ducks about 5.5 weeks old. At first they were growing at the same rate but in the past few days I almost feel like the one with the darker beak is smaller? Maybe I’m just being paranoid? Both eat, drink, and poop really well and they’re both active. I just don’t have a way to acutely weigh them, I guess I should go try to find a scale for them. Because of the different beak color are they even both Pekin ducks? They came from the same bin at TSC but I’m not sure if they’re the same. I just want them to be happy and healthy and I’m concerned “he’s” not growing as quick as the other.

 

[Isaac 0]

Pekins usually have orange bills, while White Layers tend to have pink so that may be why they look different, as far as being a different size I'm not sure because Pekins tend to weigh more than White layers. If they are acting normal and eating/drinking I wouldn't be concerned.

I feel I have to bring this topic up with most owners who have Pekins/Layers since they suffer from this so often, are you providing a supplementary source of niacin to their diet or feeding them a feed formulated for ducks? Heavyweight breeds grow very fast and often suffer leg problems due to a lack of Niacin in their diet that's why we suggest adding either a Poultry vitamin, brewers yeast, nutritional yeast or B complex into their feed.

 

[RebekahK]

Pekins usually have orange bills, while White Layers tend to have pink so that may be why they look different, as far as being a different size I'm not sure because Pekins tend to weigh more than White layers. If they are acting normal and eating/drinking I wouldn't be concerned.

I feel I have to bring this topic up with most owners who have Pekins/Layers since they suffer from this so often, are you providing a supplementary source of niacin to their diet or feeding them a feed formulated for ducks? Heavyweight breeds grow very fast and often suffer leg problems due to a lack of Niacin in their diet that's why we suggest adding either a Poultry vitamin, brewers yeast, nutritional yeast or B complex into their feed.

Thank you, I’ll keep an eye on em and if he doesn’t seem to catch up then I’ll take em to the vet. And they’re both on this Purina duck feed, I was assured that this would meet their niacin requirements but if not I’ll supplement immediately

 

[Isaac 0]

That feed is great for ducklings/ducks, but since Pekins suffer from leg problems so often it wouldn't hurt to add brewers yeast or nutritional yeast to their feed at a ratio of one tablespoon per cup of feed.

 

[RebekahK]

That feed is great for ducklings/ducks, but since Pekins suffer from leg problems so often it wouldn't hurt to add brewers yeast or nutritional yeast to their feed at a ratio of one tablespoon per cup of feed.

Thank you! I’ll be sure to go ahead and get some