Should I feed mature chickens duck food if they are raising ducklings?

[storema]

Sounds silly, but I read that ducklings cannot have chicken feed. I am getting a few silkies to hatch some duck eggs. I was planning on keeping them all together until the ducks are old enough to live on the lake. The reason for getting silkies instead of a brooder is that the success rate is great, and it was a recommendation of the duck breeder. I don't want the ducklings to die from eating chicken feed, but I am not sure how I am going to keep them to their own food. Any advice would be so much appreciated!

 

[ChickieBooBoo]

feed them NON MEDICATED chick feed or duck and goose starter. The meds in medicated chick starter can kill ducklings

 

[Amiga]

And find a way to give them the extra niacin they need (approximately three times that required by chickens).

 

[storema]

So, I can feed the mature Silkies non-medicated chick feed, duck, or goose starter; and then, feed the ducklings their feed? So, just incase the ducklings get into the chicken food, they won't die?

 

[goosedragon]

Quote:
WHERE did you read that ducklings cannot have chicken food? The only thing I have seen here that is even close was where someone was feeding layer ration rather than starter ration. to their ducklings. Many people use chick Starter for ducklings and chicken laying ration for laying ducks. EVEN then the silkie chickens can eat the heck out of duckfood without any problems.

 

[Amiga]

storema,

Your question is reasonable, given the concerns about medication and niacin. It is much better to ask beforehand if there is any doubt.

Since I am not familiar with the nutritional needs of mature chickens, I can only offer ideas from the duckling side of things. Some people give their chickens and ducks (when housed together) separate waterers. The reason is that ducks do make a mess of their water, and (if I recall correctly) chickens won`t drink it.

That might work to your advantage. If you do end up giving the ducklings chick starter (and is chick starter okay for adult chickens?), you might consider if you can put niacin in the water available to the ducklings, and nothing in the water out of their reach, where the chicken can reach it.

Just an idea.

 

[storema]

Amiga: Thank you for that idea. Once I figure out exactly what is okay as far as food, I think that I will probably just have to try my best and learn from the process. I thought about making the chickens' water suspended. I know it can be done, chickens and ducks in the same area, but it will just be an adventure!