When feeding your ducks, it is essential that they receive nutritious and healthy foods. They require various essential nutrients and vitamins in order to grow properly and remain strong.
You can give them treats like slices of whole grain bread as a reward, but only in moderation; too much food will lead to obesity quickly.
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Protein
Ducks require a high quality protein diet as an integral part of their daily nutrition. Feeding adult ducks commercially prepared food that contains at least 15% protein will ensure they achieve desired egg weight and meat mass.
Young ducklings can be fed a chick starter feed with 20-22% protein from hatch until two weeks of age, when they should then transition onto a grower, breeder or layer style of pellet feed with an approximate protein level of 15%.
Niacin supplements should also be given with this feed. Brewer’s yeast is an excellent source of niacin that’s readily accessible and simple to add into your ducklings’ food.
If you are raising your ducks for eggs, the niacin content of their feed should be 16-18%. This will guarantee strong shelled eggs. Free-ranging flocks also need access to oyster shells as a source of calcium in order to build strong eggshells.
Calcium
Ducks in the wild feed on a variety of plants, seeds, waterside plants and greens as well as worms, insects and small fish. Additionally, they often catch crawfish, frogs and newts that may be lurking around.
Adult ducks, such as drakes, hens and breeders, consume a diet with 16% protein that provides calcium for eggshell strength. Supplemental calcium sources for these birds are ground oyster shells for laying hens and chicken layer feed for all other ducks.
They not only consume these supplemental sources of calcium, but they should also eat plenty of fresh greens to maintain their bones’ health and strength. Doing this helps them avoid diseases like fowl cholera which could prove fatal if left untreated.
Ducks require a simple, nutritious diet that meets their daily requirements. Junk food such as bread, candy and chocolate are not suitable since they do not supply essential vitamins and minerals for growth.
Niacin
Niacin is a water-soluble vitamin that helps convert fats, carbohydrates, and protein into energy. It also stimulates bone growth and is essential for proper egg laying.
If a duck does not receive enough niacin, they will experience a deficiency. This deficiency may manifest as weak legs, stunted growth, bowing legs and difficulty walking.
Unfortunately, this condition can be easily diagnosed and prevented. By understanding the signs of niacin deficiency as well as your options for supplementation, you can ensure your ducks remain healthy, contented creatures!
If you suspect your ducks may be lacking in niacin, adding human niacin supplements to their water at a rate of 500 mg per 8 gallons is one solution. Alternatively, liquid forms of niacin can also be purchased and mixed directly into the drinking water for easy administration.
Brewer’s Yeast
One way to ensure your ducks get the proper nutrition is by adding brewer’s yeast to their adult food. This live, natural supplement contains many beneficial ingredients.
Brewer’s yeast is primarily composed of niacin, an essential nutrient for duck development and growth. Without enough niacin, your ducks’ joints may become stiff and they could develop bowed legs.
Brewer’s yeast is a water-soluble supplement that can be added to feed or drinking water daily, providing your ducks with essential niacin for growing into strong, healthy adults. It’s an easy and cost-effective way to ensure they receive adequate nutrition throughout their development.
Ducks make for an attractive livestock option for homesteaders. Not only are they easy to herd and require little shelter, but their eggs can be incredibly nutritious. Furthermore, ducks produce plenty of manure which helps restore degraded soil.
