Duck Eggs Daily. Lisa Steele
if you can’t find waterfowl starter feed. However, ducklings should only be fed UN-MEDICATED feed. They eat more feed per ounce of body weight than chicks, so it’s possible for them to over-medicate themselves, and since they aren’t as susceptible to coccidiosis anyway, there is no need to feed them medicated feed.
• For the first 2-3 weeks: Offer chick feed (19-21% protein) all day long, and preferably through the night as well (as mentioned previously, just be sure ample water is also provided).
• From 3-9 weeks: You will notice a substantial growth spurt at about 3 weeks, so switch at that point to the lower protein starter/grower feed (15-17% protein) until they are about 9 weeks old. Too much protein can cause leg and wing deformities, kidney and liver damage.
• From 9-20 weeks: Ducks are close to their adult weight by 9 weeks and grow slowly between 9-20 weeks, so give them grower feed (15% protein) – or continue to feed them the starter/grower feed during this phase.
• Around 20 weeks or so: At this point they will be ready for layer feed (16% protein with added calcium) to prepare them to begin laying. Ducks should start laying any time after 21 weeks old. A good layer will lay for more than four years and live to be eight to ten years old on average, although ducks living a dozen to 15 years is not unheard of.
Feed supplements
Brewer’s yeast. Ducklings require more niacin than chick feed provides, to help with bone growth, especially in their legs, so you need to add brewer’s yeast to their diet. Too little niacin can cause leg deformities and weakness and also result in smaller ducks than normal. It’s important to supplement them with niacin, especially during the starter/grower phase.
Garlic. Garlic is another beneficial addition to ducklings’ diets. Fresh or powdered, garlic improves general health, boosts immune systems and supports respiratory health. When the ducks are older, I crush whole fresh garlic cloves into their water every few weeks, but for ducklings, the powdered form is less of a choking hazard.
To combine both of these beneficial supplements, I use a garlic powder/brewer’s yeast mix from Thomas Laboratories made specifically for poultry. A 2.5% ratio of the mix in the feed is the recommended dosage. I find that a sprinkle over the top of the feed dish each time I refill it is easier than trying to measure out an exact amount. If you are not seeing any issues with standing or walking, sprinkling the powder, while less precise, is far easier and most likely sufficient. On the flip side, if your ducklings aren’t growing well or have trouble with their legs, adding a bit more can help. You can also premix in bulk, mixing 1/2 cup of the powder into a 20-pound bag of feed. Just be sure to remix the feed before you measure it out since the powders will tend to settle at the bottom.
Your ducklings’ feed should be unmedicated.
Probiotic powder. This is another excellent feed supplement. It aids in intestinal tract health and helps maintain a healthy digestive system. Just a sprinkle in their feed will provide numerous benefits. A ratio of 2% probiotic powder to feed is generally recommended. Again, guesstimate the amount or premix in bulk.
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