Rolled oats for ducklings?

[dyrne]

I've not been able to locate anything but non-medicated chick starter that is 24% protein. I was thinking of cutting this with 30% oats but I'm not sure for very young chicks if that is the best plan. Does anyone soak oats before feeding?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Most of the time proper feed has all they will need but every once in a while there will be a duckling who needs a little extra help that’s when supplements come in. Not everyone can get just the right proportions that ducklings need and have to feed chick feed which doesn’t have the right amount of niacin so having some form of niacin in hand is always a good idea.Metzers who is a reputable breeder here in the USA and you can pull up their web site and read how important niacin is to waterfowl. And what can happen if they don’t get proper amounts.

 

[casportpony]

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Any Niacin that their bodies don't need goes right out of them, so you don't have to worry about then overdosing on it.

That's what i remember! My Limpy gobbled down a portion of "niacined" meal worms in the summer that was meant for three to four ducks and he is still alive and - limping…

 

[casportpony]

I've not been able to locate anything but non-medicated chick starter that is 24% protein. I was thinking of cutting this with 30% oats but I'm not sure for very young chicks if that is the best plan. Does anyone soak oats before feeding?

I think you'll be fine with just the chick starter, mine get 27% turkey starter, though you should probably contact the manufacturer and ask what the niacin content is. If it's less than 55 ppm, you might have to add some niacin or brewers yeast to boost the niacin to 55 ppm.

 

[dyrne]

Ok it sounds like I'm worrying a bit too much about this. We've only raised chickens to this point and I didn't want to mess the little ducklings up.

 

[casportpony]

Ok it sounds like I'm worrying a bit too much about this. We've only raised chickens to this point and I didn't want to mess the little ducklings up.

I think you'll be fine with the 24%. Does it say on the bag if it can be fed to ducklings? If it does, it should have enough of the vitamins and minerals that ducklings need.

 

[Cayuga momma]

Can you apply too much niacin to a duckling? (I mean with common sense, not offering a pile of niacin powder to the ducklings!) I am planning to put some niacin powder into my spring ducklings drinking water, just to make sure…

Any Niacin that their bodies don't need goes right out of them, so you don't have to worry about then overdosing on it.

 

[casportpony]

Fwiw, mine get 27% turkey starter for many weeks and I never have any angel wing problems. Would it surprise you to know that some members here feed a much lower protein and have had several with angel wing?

 

[casportpony]

Can you apply too much niacin to a duckling? (I mean with common sense, not offering a pile of niacin powder to the ducklings!) I am planning to put some niacin powder into my spring ducklings drinking water, just to make sure…

I think niacin is pretty safe. Which product are you planning on using?