What to feed ducklings...

[mtadkins5]

I have some eggss fixing to hatch and I am new to ducks. What do you feed them? I know it is different for each age. Also, besides food and water do you give them anything else?

 

[PoultryGirly]

When ducklings first hatch, they eat unmedicated chick starter. A few weeks later you can start them on chick starter/grower. At that age, you can start feeding them treats like fruits and vegetables if you feed them chick grit.

 

[mtadkins5]

What is chick grit? Do you have to give them and vitiams or anything extra?

 

[ashswag14]

So you feed them the same thing you feed baby chickens?

 

[PoultryGirly]

Chick grit is rock-like pieces that you feed to young poultry to help their food grind up and be digested. They only need to be fed this if they eat anything other than chick starter. Baby ducklings dont really need more vitamins than baby chicks except for niacin.

And, ashswag14, ducklings pretty much eat the same thing as baby chicks except ducklings can only have NONmedicated chick starter.

 

[butterscotch98]

Yeah, with the chick starter you have to have a niacin supplement.

 

[mtadkins5]

Where do I get niacin? How do I give it? What is it for?

 

[Amiga]

Hi!

If you have not yet had the opportunity to read this, I really like it - - - good concise information https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/750869/raising-and-caring-for-ducklings#post_10611711

Niacin is a vitamin critical to the proper development of the nervous system. Ducklings that don't get enough - and this seems to be different for different ducklings - often have seizures or leg problems or other symptoms.

Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks suggests that if there is a likelihood of niacin deficiency, to give 100 to 150 mg of niacin per gallon of water for ten weeks (I may misremember whether it's 8 or 10, or just "several").

You can buy niacin capsules at most drugstores, and some grocery stores. Get the plain niacin, not no-flush or timed-release.

Some folks sprinkle brewer's yeast on top of the ducklings' food once a day.

Worms, bugs, slugs, all have niacin in their tissues.

 

[mtadkins5]

Thank you all! The link was VERY helpful as well

 

[mtadkins5]

I got pine bedding from Tractor suply for bedding. Is that ok? I have a large tote, baby feeder, baby water and heat lamp. Is that everything? Ok on the food I got Friday from the feed store I found that is chick starter/grower so I went and bought chick starter from Tractor suply ( alot more $$$ ). After about every store are looking for niacin I found some at Walgreans. Everywhere was time release or flush free so the pharmacist got me some from behind the counter. It is 100mg tablets. I hope they disolve good! Thank you all for reading my post and helping me.