Poor/Incorrect Diet and Lack of Nutrition in Ducks

Unfortunately, most ducklings are purchased prior to the new owners having any knowledge of how to properly care for it. Most feed stores exclusively carry feed for chicks and hens. Despite featuring a cute duckling on the front of the bag, these feeds are misleading. The protein and general nutrition content of these feeds (such as Dumor from Tractor Supply) focus on the diet needed for chicks to grow and thrive. Without the information on hand at these stores, people buy what they think is best without ever giving it a second thought. Hey, a duckling is on the bag and the store manager said it's for ducks, so it has to be, right? Wrong!

Most of these feeds are either medicated (should be stated on the bag, and under NO circumstances should this ever be fed to a duckling as the antibiotics are meant for chicks and can be fatal) or contain either too little or too much protein needed for the development of ducks. Another crucial ingredient these feeds are lacking is Niacin. To read more about Niacin, read my post here. Since chicks and ducklings grow at different rates and require a bit different nutrition, it is best to feed your ducklings a food that was intended for them.

Ducks require different levels of protein per stage of growth. When feeding your ducklings chick feed, it is hard to make sure they are getting a proper diet. If duckling feed is not available, don't feel bad! You can always supplement the chick feed to make it more fitting for a ducklings dietary needs.

Nutrient Requirements for Ducks Per Life Stage:

0-3 weeks-

•  Protein- 20% 

3 weeks-first egg-

• Protein 16-19%

Laying hens-

• Protein 16-17%

Non-Laying Drakes and ducks-

• Protein 14%

Our First Ducks - Tugging on my Heartstrings

When we bought our first chicks, I never thought I could fall in love with a little animal anymore than I did last spring. Boy was I wrong! We went to Tractor Supply to pick up some dog food, and wouldn't you know it? They had some Pekin ducklings. I have fond memories of owning ducks as a young girl (aside from them all getting ran over once the highway was paved) and couldn't help but giving my boyfriend the puppy dog eyes until he said to get a couple! Yay!!

Despite all of the fond memories of raising ducks, I somehow forgot how dog-like they are. As I was reading the paper that came with the ducks, I laughed out loud. It literally said not to snuggle your ducks. Impossible!! I will risk getting salmonella if it means getting nestled into by the cutest little ducklings I've ever laid eyes on.They quickly imprinted on me, thinking I was their mom, calling for me and following me around everywhere. I was wrapped around their tiny wings in no time! Swoon!!

I have been photographing them everyday. They are quickly approaching their "awkward stage" as I like to call it. It's where their bills seem too long and they just look all around awkward. I swear they double in size everyday. I miss my tiny babies, but look forward to finding out their gender and seeing them blossom into big, beautiful white Pekins.