Ducklings are rapidly developing birds and they require all the vitamins and nutrients available. Niacin, in particular, plays an essential role in healthy development – so if you want your ducklings to flourish in their future, make sure they get enough niacin in their diet.
Nacin deficiencies in ducklings, particularly heavier breeds such as Pekins, can have severe consequences. Signs of this deficiency usually manifest themselves early on as lethargy and an unwillingness to exercise.
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Brewer’s Yeast
Brewer’s yeast is an excellent source of niacin, which is essential for ducks’ development and health. Additionally, it supplies B-complex vitamins, protein, chromium and selenium.
Niacin is a water-soluble vitamin that aids the body in breaking down fats, carbohydrates and proteins into usable energy. It’s abundant in plant-based foods like vegetables and fish as well as animal feed.
Brewer’s yeast may not be as high in niacin as nutritional yeast, but it still provides a beneficial source for ducks. It is often added to poultry feeds to increase niacin concentrations.
Niacin deficiency is relatively uncommon, but when it does happen, it can have serious consequences for ducks. Signs of this deficiency include enlarged hock joints, bowing of the legs and poor feathering.
Sunflower Seeds
Niacin, also known as vitamin B3, is a water soluble vitamin that transforms fats, carbohydrates and proteins into usable energy. Without enough niacin in their diets, ducks may experience leg problems and deformities that are irreversible.
Ducks obtain their natural sources of niacin from eating fish, bugs, crustaceans, amphibians, seeds & weedy greens. Furthermore, they may receive human-grade brewer’s yeast when fed.
Sunflower seeds are an excellent source of niacin for ducks as they contain high levels of protein. Furthermore, sunflower seeds contain other essential nutrients like thiamin, vitamin E, iron, zinc, calcium and magnesium that ducks need.
It is essential to give your ducklings sunflower seeds in moderation as they contain high levels of calories. For best results, start feeding your ducklings sunflower seeds when they are four weeks old.
Green Peas
Ducks grow rapidly and require a diet rich in niacin to stay healthy. A lack of this vitamin can result in health issues like bowed legs or crippled wings.
To prevent niacin deficiencies in ducklings, feed them a non-medicated chick starter feed and niacin supplement. This low density feed is easy for young ducks to consume and contains 18-20% protein content.
Brewer’s yeast can be added to this pellet ration in order to boost its niacin level – essential for young ducklings. This ingredient is easily found in beer making supply stores and health food stores.
Brewer’s yeast can be added to feed at a rate of about 5 percent per day. For best results, use human-grade brewer’s yeast since it contains more niacin than livestock grade brewer’s yeast does.
Avocado
Avocados are a single-seeded fruit that grows on trees in warmer climates and originates from Mexico. Not only are they an excellent source of Vitamin B3 (niacin), which is essential for ducks, but they are also an excellent source of niacin itself, also known as the B vitamin.
Niacin helps the body convert fats, carbohydrates and protein into energy – particularly beneficial for ducks with their high metabolic rates that require lots of energy to maintain activity levels.
To guarantee your ducks get enough niacin, feed them foods naturally rich in this nutrient. Examples of such items include brewer’s yeast, sunflower seeds and unsalted peanuts.
It is best to avoid feeding any fruit with pits or seeds, such as apples, apricots, cherries, peaches and plums. These contain cyanide which is an extremely hazardous toxin which can lead to heart problems, weakness, seizures, stumbling or breathing changes and even death.
