Question about baby duck food.

[domromer]

My 10 Golden 300s will arrive tomorrow. I went to the feed store to get baby duck food and they said there is no such thing. They use Purina Flock Raiser and said thats what I should use as well. I thought there would be some sort of baby duck food. Even if there is my feed stores don't have it. They have chick starter but it's medicated and I've been told that's not good for ducks. Is the Flock raiser ok for them?

 

[MDC]

What percent protein does the Flock Raiser have? I'm not familiar with it. I've heard of it but have never looked into it myself.

Medicated chick starter is fine for ducks as most, if not all these days, is made with a coccidiostat like amprollium. Back in the day feeds were made with arsenic based 'medications' which is when they were dangerous for waterfowl.

I have yet to hear of ducklings being harmed by medicated chick starter and know of several different long-time breeders that use it exclusively for their calls. These are birds that are potentially worth $50, $100, $200, etc. , each. They wouldn't jeopardize their birds health by feeding a dangerous feed.

 

[domromer]

It's got crude protein listed at 20%

 

[taras.farm]

That'll be fine! Enjoy them

 

[Katy]

I raise my call ducks on Purina medicated Start and Grow. As someone already said the amprollium/amprol is fine for them to have.

 

[Wifezilla]

They don't have baby duck food in my area either, but they do have game bird starter. I use that or chick starter with added niacin.

 

[domromer]

I already bought the bag of purina flock raiser. Will it be fine to keep and use it?

 

[Cetawin]

Purina Flock Raiser is what was recommended as a first choice by Holderread Waterfowl Farm when my ducklings were shipped. If not available to mix in equal parts unmedicated chick starter and unmedicated turkey/game bird starter. I trust the man that wrote the book on ducks, literally.

 

[froggie71]

Gamebird starter or any starter that has a picture of a duck on the bag is fine to use. Each feed store by me has different feed.

 

[CityChicker]

Purina flock raiser is perfect (although, of course they do make duck starter). The flock raiser has 20% protein with added niacin. It is basically the same as what a duck/waterfowl starter would be.

I, personally, have had bad luck with gamebird feed (even Manna-Pro's which is only like 24% protein). I know others have had no issues with it, but I would go with the flock raiser over gamebird feed.