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What do I feed my ducks

Cindy Rivers • Nov 16, 2019

I can't find duck feed - what can I feed my ducks?

 It may surprise you to know that duck feed  is the same ingredients  as chicken feed. The exception is in their first 10 weeks. Purchase starter feed for chickens and supplement your ducks with niacin until they are 10 weeks of age. This supplement can be added to their diet in one of two ways: buy the niacin supplement at your local pharmacy and add 100 - 150 mg (crushed) per gallon of water or purchase livestock grade brewer’s yeast and add 2 – 3 cups per 10 pounds of feed (5 – 7.5 pounds per 100 pounds of feed). We have found that it is easier and more consistent to add the niacin to their water. 

The other important part of your ducks diet is water. You must keep clean, fresh water before your ducks at all times. Ducks will wash their feed down with water so this means you will have to keep on top of two things: first you will have to clean their waterers often and second, you should provide them with a waterer deep enough for them to wash out their nostrils and beaks as they eat (necessary to avoid impaction).

A week to week feeding chart is available on our website. Note that you can supplement their diet with organic veggies, organic chopped hard boiled eggs (with shell on), organic scrambled eggs, worms, night crawlers, blood worms, snails (make sure they the ground they come from have not been sprayed with pesticides), organic whole corn or corn meal, and organic tomatoes. Of course, feed consumption will go back up in the winter when fresh veggies and forages are at a premium.
Cindy Tom Rivers Rivers Critters Ranch

If you're looking for organic non-GMO Duck feed, the RCR Organic Feed Store is stocking 18% Duck Grower Feed.


If you have any questions feel free to reach out!

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