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Rations for Baby Ducklings and Chicks
When first born Ducklings and Chicks do not need food for the first couple days of their life. This is simply because before they were born they draw in their yolk sac into their bodies and that is what gives them all the nutrients they need to have a chance at survival.
Usually if you get babies from out of state hatcheries and/or from the feed store when you bring them home you should always dip their beaks in luke warm water before you place them in their already prewarmed and prepared brooder(home). And please make sure your babies are well hydrated before you give them feed. If you do so you will by-pass what is called pasty butt. This makes it to where the baby cannot poop properly and it sticks to their butt. It then does not allow the baby to continue to relieve itself which then can kill it.
Nutrition is everything!!!
What you feed your babies now will affect their egg production and productivity later in life.
I always use a natural feed for my babies. I try to stay away from brands that I believe are not good.
In addition to all the stage appropriate feeds I use for my babies I also give them greens and oats.** This is to ensure extra nutrition.
Usually if you get babies from out of state hatcheries and/or from the feed store when you bring them home you should always dip their beaks in luke warm water before you place them in their already prewarmed and prepared brooder(home). And please make sure your babies are well hydrated before you give them feed. If you do so you will by-pass what is called pasty butt. This makes it to where the baby cannot poop properly and it sticks to their butt. It then does not allow the baby to continue to relieve itself which then can kill it.
Nutrition is everything!!!
What you feed your babies now will affect their egg production and productivity later in life.
I always use a natural feed for my babies. I try to stay away from brands that I believe are not good.
In addition to all the stage appropriate feeds I use for my babies I also give them greens and oats.** This is to ensure extra nutrition.
For my baby Ducks I have to create my own little mix because chick starters lack enough niacin which ducklings need more of. I have found that NatureWise Chick starter doesn't provide my baby Ducks with the correct amount of niacin that they need. And whatever the mix I always include 5% oats so they grow slower. I add an additional 5% of oats each week until they are receiving three parts stater/grower feed and one part oats. This will ensure they don't have any major problems. It will also give better feather quality. Ducks grow very fast!! (If there is already oats in the mix then the oats from above are not included; don't want to get too many oats so it over shadows the formulated ration.)
My Mix for my baby Ducks: Fed from 1-9 weeks old
My Mix for my baby Ducks: Fed from 1-9 weeks old
- 1 part chick starter
- 1 part turkey/game-bird starter/grower
- 1 part uncooked oatmeal
My Mix fed from 9 weeks old to maturity(Adult):
- 5 parts broiler starter/meat builder
- 2 parts oats
- 2 1/2 parts wheat (Don't put in, but is what the recipe calls for)
- 1/2 part cat kibble