What is the best feed for ducklings?

[hayley3]

I bought chick starter for them but according to a few articles I've read I need to switch them to another higher protein starter food at two weeks with a niacin supplement. Is there a bag of feed that has extra niacin or did they mean actually give a supplement? I don't have time to research right now, I have to go to work.
anyway, I've never read that before. I'm also worried about problems buying non-medicated chick starter because I bought the last small bag yesterday.

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

You need duck starter. They are not chickens and have different nutritional needs. Get Purina Flock Raiser crumbles an all flock of duck food. You can supplement nutritional yeast. Please make sure they have water and a heat source that also allows them a cool spot.

 

[Isaac 0]

I bought chick starter for them but according to a few articles I've read I need to switch them to another higher protein starter food at two weeks with a niacin supplement. Is there a bag of feed that has extra niacin or did they mean actually give a supplement? I don't have time to research right now, I have to go to work.
anyway, I've never read that before. I'm also worried about problems buying non-medicated chick starter because I bought the last small bag yesterday.

You can use chick starter you'll just have to add a niacin supplement to their feed/water like brewers yeast, nutritional yeast, B complex or a Poultry vitamin. It is preferred though if you buy either an All Flock Feed, Purina raiser Feed or a feed formulated specifically for ducks.

 

[Callender Girl]

Worst case scenario and you can't get what you really need -- the right feed, yeast or vitamin supplement -- at the very least you can temporarily feed them some frozen peas, which are a decent, though not great, source of niacin. It's better than nothing, and these days, sometimes that's all you can do.

My local feed stores, which DO sell ducklings in the spring, don't carry duck feed. Crazy, huh? And, the health food store where I've bought yeast in the past, is closed. Good luck with your babies.

 

[ariri30]

I bought chick starter for them but according to a few articles I've read I need to switch them to another higher protein starter food at two weeks with a niacin supplement. Is there a bag of feed that has extra niacin or did they mean actually give a supplement? I don't have time to research right now, I have to go to work.
anyway, I've never read that before. I'm also worried about problems buying non-medicated chick starter because I bought the last small bag yesterday.

I feed my ducks this. If the pellets are too big you can smash it up but they are small pellets. I found it near me by doing a search on the purina website. I adopted a duck that had a lot of issues with his legs and once I started feeding him this he is a completely different duck.

 

[Isaac 0]

That's what I'm doing right now, smashing/grinding pellets is no fun, get crumble if you can.

 

[ariri30]

That's what I'm doing right now, smashing/grinding pellets is no fun, get crumble if you can.

The duck food only comes in pellets form if I’m not mistaken. I think is worthy since it’s not forever you need to do it. Ducks grow pretty fast too. IMO

 

[Isaac 0]

The duck food only comes in pellets form if I’m not mistaken. I think is worthy since it’s not forever you need to do it. Ducks grow pretty fast too. IMO

No, there are a few brands that sell in the crumbled form, and Purina Rasier comes in a crumbled form as well.

 

[DuckyDonna]

I feed my ducks this. If the pellets are too big you can smash it up but they are small pellets. I found it near me by doing a search on the purina website. I adopted a duck that had a lot of issues with his legs and once I started feeding him this he is a completely different duck.

X 2!

 

[ariri30]

No, there are a few brands that sell in the crumbled form, and Purina Rasier comes in a crumbled form as well.

Im talking about duck pellets. I know purina comes in crumbles. But not specific for duck