What can I use to add niacin to my ducks'/ducklings' diet?

[PoultryGirly]

Hi. I didn't know that adding niacin to my dudklings' and ducks' diet was absolutely necessary. What are some household foods or easy-to-find items that will add niacin to their diet? Thanks!

 

[PoultryGirly]

Anyone, please?

 

[Amiga]

Oops. Sorry it took a little while to see this.

Niacin is in animal products. So, worms, slugs, mealworms, all have some. Fish, too. I would think that cat kibble would have some since it has meat in it.

Brewer's yeast is high in niacin and so many people put a sprinkling of it on duck food once a day. A more precise way is to get the 100 mg niacin capsules at the drugstore and empty that in to a gallon of water. If the capsules are 200 mg, use 2 gallons, and so forth.

If you are using chick starter, yes, from what I have seen here on the forum, it would be really good to supplement niacin.

 

[PoultryGirly]

Thank you so much, Amiga. Do you think they'll be okay until this coming weekend when I can some?

 

[Amiga]

If they are not showing signs of trouble, you will probably be fine.

Are they getting a little chick grit so they can "chew" real food? If so, a worm or two probably would not hurt, either, since worms have niacin in them. I just don't know exact number of milligrams in a worm.

 

[PoultryGirly]

What are the signs of a niacin deficiency? My 2 ducklings are scared to death of me and run around the brooder like crazy when I even look at them funny! They eat and drink and act perfectly fine. Also, I have 3 grown ducks. One has a problem with her legs I think ever since I got her. Sometime she would limp for no reason. Other times was worse than others, especially when the 2 males would pick on her and chase her. I got rid of those two males and put her in a smaller duck coop and ever since she hasn't limped badly so far. She'll limp a tiny bit at some points, but it hopefully isn't too bad. Was this niacin related? I have another female in with her and a male. The female is still a bit puffed up from when she was broody about 3 weeks ago. Is this something to be worried about?

By the way, they eat Flock Raiser mixed with layer and rolled oats.

 

[Amiga]

What are the signs of a niacin deficiency? My 2 ducklings are scared to death of me and run around the brooder like crazy when I even look at them funny! They eat and drink and act perfectly fine. Also, I have 3 grown ducks. One has a problem with her legs I think ever since I got her. Sometime she would limp for no reason. Other times was worse than others, especially when the 2 males would pick on her and chase her. I got rid of those two males and put her in a smaller duck coop and ever since she hasn't limped badly so far. She'll limp a tiny bit at some points, but it hopefully isn't too bad. Was this niacin related? I have another female in with her and a male. The female is still a bit puffed up from when she was broody about 3 weeks ago. Is this something to be worried about?

By the way, they eat Flock Raiser mixed with layer and rolled oats.

That run-from-you is something many ducklings go through from about three weeks of age for several weeks, and you can help improve the situation, it takes some patience and time. At this point, anything taller than they are is scary. So get as low as you can as you approach, and make sweet little noises. Most of us do the noises instinctively, I think. Announce your arrival before they see you so you don't just pop up. Offer them treats but don't reach toward them. Roll a few peas in their direction, then sit quietly and wait. And wait. I used to let my ducklings out of their brooder at this stage (I used to just clean up around them. The brooder was floor level. Anyway, I let them out of the brooder and into the hallway (old sheet to catch poop on the floor). I would clean up, then we would have a pea party. They eventually calmed down, and now I have a few who like pets. All of them seem to like having me close. This helps whenever anyone is injured or if I need to examine them.

The leg problem may have been niacin related, and having a poultry vitamin with electrolytes and probiotics that you give them weekly, or whenever they are stressed, is something I would try. Your puffy girl may still be off and on broody. Give her vitamins - probably would do everyone some good to have some once in a while - and watch her for any other signs. In fact, if you can pick her up and feel her body condition - is she bony, does she smell funny, have any hidden injuries - and go from there.

Oh, and the signs of niacin deficiency include leg problems, twitching, and seizures - flopping on the back, kicking legs in the air, twisting of the head . . .

 

[PoultryGirly]

Thanks! I have some of the Sav-A-Chick Electrolyte & Vitamin Supplement. Will that be okay for all of them? http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/sav-a-chicktrade;-electrolyte-and-vitamin-supplement

Also, the one duck that has the leg problems sort of did the 'side shuffle' the other day. Is that something to worry about?

 

[Amiga]

The Sav-a-Chik should work out. And if I understand your side shuffle phrase, I think that may be normal.

 

[PoultryGirly]

Thanks so much, Amiga! I'll add the electrolytes to all of my poultry's water today since it is so hot! I should still buy the niacin, though, correct?