What to feed baby duck’s egg should be top of mind for anyone raise ducks . Can wimp and duck portion feedis often the first question asked when people raise both . Though sometimes believe to have the same nutritionary needs as doll , ducklings require more vitamin than chick do during the produce stage and throughout their adult lives . untested ducks grow quicker than chicks and this postulate different dietetical needs . Failing to touch these nutritionary necessity may result in deformities and poor egg output .
While their nutritionary penury may vary from those of their volaille cousins when given the right victuals , baby ducks are easy to raise . There are many duck’s egg breeds to choose includingbantam ducks for small backyardsandduck breed for eggs .
What to Feed Baby Ducks: Choosing a Feed
Many provender brands do not extend duckling newcomer and grower provender , so many duck’s egg owner fertilise their sister ducks a starter and raiser formulated for doll . What to flow baby duck begins with a starter feed for the first two hebdomad of life . When choosing a provender for duckling , look for a non - medicated provender with twenty - two percent protein . ( If a twenty - two percent protein starter is unavailable in feedstores near you , feeding ducklings a nonmedicated twenty percentage starter for the first four hebdomad of biography will shape in a pinch . )
Because ducklings use up more provender than skirt , feeding a medicated starter may result in accidental intoxication from consuming too much medication .
Since chick provender does not contain all the vitamins that babe duck involve to thrive , supplementing their feed with essential vitamins will aid duckling stay respectable . ( More on that afterward . )
After the first two week of life-time , what to feed sister duck trade to a lower - protein raiser provender . Due to their speedy growth rate , duckling require switching to a raiser provender preferably than chicks to prevent growth disfigurement . Just as when give appetizer , never flow a medicated grower . Feed ducklings a seventeen to nineteen pct protein grower feed from two weeks of age until the point of ballad .
Bring on the Supplements
Most feeds formulated for growing skirt do not moderate the niacin and riboflavin babe duck need to thrive into healthy adults . A insufficiency in both vitamin could result in duckling developing weak or bowed legs , and some person may also be stunt in growth and maturation .
Growing ducklings need fifty - five mg / kg of niacin ( B-3 ) and 4 milligram / kg of riboflavin ( B-12 ) . Since chick starter and grower feeds do not satisfy duckling ’ niacin and riboflavin needs , supplementing their dieting with Brewer ’s yeast is the ripe way to ensure both sister ducks and adult get these essential B vitamins . Mix three cup of Brewer ’s barm into ten pounds of feed to avoid joint and wooden leg malformation .
probiotic microflora and prebiotics crop together to keep a duckling ’s immune system in peak - top condition . Prebiotics are notice in gamey - vulcanized fiber plant and feed the healthy bacteria in a duckling ’s gut . ocean kelp is one of the best prebiotic foods to feed duckling , as it promote growing and work best when fertilise with Brewer ’s yeast .
levelheaded bacteria found in the gut , also known as probiotic microflora , work to ascertain E. Coli , salmonella , and other harmful bacteria line up in the digestive tract . Adding probiotics daily to a duckling ’s diet may also aid keep other health concern , such as bumblefoot .
What to Feed Baby Ducks: Healthy Treats
in the raw , uncooked oatmeal is an crucial part of what to feed baby ducks . It contains antioxidants , thiamine , riboflavin , niacin , choline , magnesium , calcium , and zinc , and aid recrudesce substantial leg and wing . Oats should be added to a duckling ’s diet presently after hatch and bit by bit tot up until twenty - five pct of a growing duckling ’s dieting is oats at three hebdomad erstwhile . Consuming this good grain avail to lessen the chance of holy person extension , a experimental condition cause by too much protein .
The dependable way to help ducklings reach their likely weight is to give them day-to-day access to pasture . When temperatures are 75 ° F or above , let baby ducks outside in a piranha - proofed run will help supplement their dieting with essential vitamins and mineral , trim back provender consumption , and minify the hazard of cannibalistic tendencies .
hefty treats such as herbs ( let in basil , mint , oregano , Petroselinum crispum , and yarrow ) , dandelions , foliage lettuce , kale , peas , and black soldier fly larvae should be let in in a what to flow baby duck’s egg routine to help them uprise a levelheaded resistant system . These nutritious snack are also packed full of beneficial vitamin and mineral .
When feeding ducklings fresh greens , tip only attendant young grasses and herbaceous plant and avoid picking greens treated with pesticides or weedkiller .
duckling are a joyousness to raise . And with proper nutrient and protection from predators , ducklings will soon grow into level-headed adults and fill your egg basket with those deliciously beautiful eggs .
