Purina duck pellets

[BabyGotQuack]

We have some ducklings coming next week and were out getting all their stuff together at the local country store. They had a grand reopening sale and all purina was buy one bag get one free!

I’ve never used purina or a duck specific feed, but that’s what I got, purina duck pellets. After getting home with 240lbs of this stuff I started researching it and some things I read were saying you have to add calcium and that it doesn’t have enough niacin and you still need to supplement.

Does anyone use purina duck? What do you supplement with it?

It also says it’s good for ducklings too, true? I still think I should add niacin atleast for the ducklings.

I’m worried this BOGO sale I got wasn’t the best purchase, so any knowledge about this specific feed would be helpful!

 

[cheezenkwackers]

I have been using Purina duck for years. If you end up with laying females, then, you need to provide supplemental calcium (oyster shell) in a separate bowl when they are laying eggs. The food is made for all ducks so the amount of calcium is fine for ducklings and drakes but too low for laying hens. If it had enough for them, it would be too much for the drakes and ducklings.
I have raised ducklings only with Purina without any problems. But, some ducklings need more Niacin than others so it doesn’t hurt to add Nutritional yeast to the food. When ducklings are young I grind the pellets in a food processor and then add water to make a wet mash. It is easier for ducklings to eat. As they get older I stop grinding it as much or adding water.
More recently I also buy a bag of Mizuri duckling and use it as a treat floating in the water. It has a lot of fish in it and they like it better.
A lot of people blame the food for leg problems and angel wing. I am sure that can play a part but I think the bigger the brooder and the more exercise your ducklings get (especially swimming), the less likely you are to have issues. I have only had minor issues with these things over the years. I hope this eases your concerns about this food.

 

[BabyGotQuack]

I have been using Purina duck for years. If you end up with laying females, then, you need to provide supplemental calcium (oyster shell) in a separate bowl when they are laying eggs. The food is made for all ducks so the amount of calcium is fine for ducklings and drakes but too low for laying hens. If it had enough for them, it would be too much for the drakes and ducklings.
I have raised ducklings only with Purina without any problems. But, some ducklings need more Niacin than others so it doesn’t hurt to add Nutritional yeast to the food. When ducklings are young I grind the pellets in a food processor and then add water to make a wet mash. It is easier for ducklings to eat. As they get older I stop grinding it as much or adding water.
More recently I also buy a bag of Mizuri duckling and use it as a treat floating in the water. It has a lot of fish in it and they like it better.
A lot of people blame the food for leg problems and angel wing. I am sure that can play a part but I think the bigger the brooder and the more exercise your ducklings get (especially swimming), the less likely you are to have issues. I have only had minor issues with these things over the years. I hope this eases your concerns about this food.

Yes! This was very helpful, thank you!

Ok I will have to get some oyster shell for my layers. They still have a lot of feed until I start giving them the purina duck.

I already have the nutritional yeast so I still think I’m gonna add some. Any recommendations on how much?

 

[KathiQuacks]

I use Purina. It’s an alright feed. On the cheaper side, but it gets the job done. Only thing I really dislike is how dusty it gets, especially towards the end of the bag.

As ducklings, I crumble the food a bit smaller the first few days for easier eating. I also supplemented with nutritional yeast for niacin - 1 tbsp per 1 cup of feed ‘til they were 2 months old. Not sure if it was necessary, but I chose to be on the safe side.

When they’re older and laying, I leave out a separate dish of crushed oyster shells for calcium. The girls take what they need, when they need. Could also use flaked oyster, or even crush, bake, and feed them their own egg shells.

 

[cheezenkwackers]

I use Purina. It’s an alright feed. On the cheaper side, but it gets the job done.

I agree! I did try using chicken layer for a while (a long time ago) and it was a disaster. They greatly improved on Purina Duck so it is formulated for duck needs. I do currently give all my ducks (adults) a cup or two (for 9 ducks) of Mazuri duckling as a treat daily. They do like it floating in their water and I figure it is better for them than mealworms.

 

[BabyGotQuack]

I use Purina. It’s an alright feed. On the cheaper side, but it gets the job done. Only thing I really dislike is how dusty it gets, especially towards the end of the bag.

As ducklings, I crumble the food a bit smaller the first few days for easier eating. I also supplemented with nutritional yeast for niacin - 1 tbsp per 1 cup of feed ‘til they were 2 months old. Not sure if it was necessary, but I chose to be on the safe side.

When they’re older and laying, I leave out a separate dish of crushed oyster shells for calcium. The girls take what they need, when they need. Could also use flaked oyster, or even crush, bake, and feed them their own egg shells.

Ok, feeling much better about my purchase, thanks guys!

 

[BabyGotQuack]

I agree! I did try using chicken layer for a while (a long time ago) and it was a disaster. They greatly improved on Purina Duck so it is formulated for duck needs. I do currently give all my ducks (adults) a cup or two (for 9 ducks) of Mazuri duckling as a treat daily. They do like it floating in their water and I figure it is better for them than mealworms.

I have heard lots about Mazuri, but I’ve never seen it anywhere (although I haven’t really been looking I guess), where do yo get it?