When should I switch duck feed from duckling crumbles?

[LondonChicken]

Sorry if this has been covered but I do not see an exact answer. I have been feeding my 9-week-old Khaki Campbell and Black Runners the organic duck crumbles from Tractor Supply. I was worried about changing their diet because I am trying to stay organic, or at least non-GMO and this has been the most affordable option so far based on what is available.

I am just concerned about giving them the wrong formulation at 9 weeks so should I switch them to the DuMor non-GMO chicken layer pellets I give my chickens? Will they still need Niacin?

Thank you!

 

[fatty and friends]

mazuri waterfowl, kalmbach duck and goose, or purina duck are the only 3 feeds i know of that are for ducks. duck feed is always better for them than chicken feed

 

[BelovedBirds]

Sorry if this has been covered but I do not see an exact answer. I have been feeding my 9-week-old Khaki Campbell and Black Runners the organic duck crumbles from Tractor Supply. I was worried about changing their diet because I am trying to stay organic, or at least non-GMO and this has been the most affordable option so far based on what is available.

I am just concerned about giving them the wrong formulation at 9 weeks so should I switch them to the DuMor non-GMO chicken layer pellets I give my chickens? Will they still need Niacin?

Thank you!

You do starter crumbles at first, then at 4 weeks they can go onto growers, then at 17 weeks or so you can go onto layers- but everyone does it differently. I dont think theres any one simple answer.
Personally I couldnt access duckling crumbles or duck growers, so I was stuck with chick crumbles until they went on adult duck food.
I added nutritious yeast, and at about 3-4 weeks I started mixing oats in too (grit available too, for the oats). At 17 weeks they went on duck layers and have been on it since- Perfectly healthy. (except for a niacin blip with one of my girls). That was just my experience with it.

What is the protein percentage in the duckling crumbles? You may be able to continue the feed you're using until they go on adult food. Or perhaps modify it a bit.

One thing though, is that they will not do well on chicken feed- ducks need higher niacin in their food. At 9 weeks, the layer feed will also not be so great.

 

[ruthhope]

If you have a drake as well as female ducks finding organic food is a problem as organic layer doesnt work. My son is moving to organic starter food with oystershell on the side for the girls and added brewers yeast for all.

 

[LondonChicken]

You do starter crumbles at first, then at 4 weeks they can go onto growers, then at 17 weeks or so you can go onto layers- but everyone does it differently. I dont think theres any one simple answer.
Personally I couldnt access duckling crumbles or duck growers, so I was stuck with chick crumbles until they went on adult duck food.
I added nutritious yeast, and at about 3-4 weeks I started mixing oats in too (grit available too, for the oats). At 17 weeks they went on duck layers and have been on it since- Perfectly healthy. (except for a niacin blip with one of my girls). That was just my experience with it.

What is the protein percentage in the duckling crumbles? You may be able to continue the feed you're using until they go on adult food. Or perhaps modify it a bit.

One thing though, is that they will not do well on chicken feed- ducks need higher niacin in their food. At 9 weeks, the layer feed will also not be so great.

The organic crumbles for ducks has 18% protein. Only ONE of the four TSCs nearby carry it! https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...eeds-duck-crumbles-25-lb-bm0231c?cm_vc=-10005

I would like to switch to

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/dumor-non-gmo-egg-layer-mini-pellet-35-bgp650 but worry about Niacin.

Edit: Well...they claim on the Q+A it isn't comprehensive enough for ducks so now I'm at a loss. There are no other non-GMO or organic options for ducks where I live.

 

[ruthhope]

The organic crumbles for ducks has 18% protein. Only ONE of the four TSCs nearby carry it! https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...eeds-duck-crumbles-25-lb-bm0231c?cm_vc=-10005

I would like to switch to

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/dumor-non-gmo-egg-layer-mini-pellet-35-bgp650 but worry about Niacin.

Edit: Well...they claim on the Q+A it isn't comprehensive enough for ducks so now I'm at a loss. There are no other non-GMO or organic options for ducks where I live.

My son's laying females were on organic layer pellets from TSC. They are formulated for chickens and so he adds brewer's yeats -- 1 tablespoon per cup of pellets. He also offered oyster sell on the side.

He now has a drake and so is, on advice from this forum, changing to organic starter food [pellets if we can find it otherwise crumbles]. He is continueing to add brewer's yeast and provides oyster shell on the side.

We haven't found organic duck food at our local TSC. All the organic food in store is for chickens.

I just checked on line and TSC has Nature's Best organic duck crumbles 18% protein. 25lb $19.99