Ducklings are hungry from the start, and they grow fast. They'll also taste just about anything, including fingers, bedding and things that aren't food at all. That makes it your job to put the right feed in front of them. Here's what ducklings need at each stage, how to feed and water them safely, and which treats are fine once they're a little older.
What Do Ducklings Need?
Ducklings need two things above all: enough protein to fuel their fast growth, and enough niacin (vitamin B3) to build strong legs and bones. Ducks need more niacin than chickens, and a shortage shows up as bowed legs, swollen hocks and lameness.
|
Age |
Feed |
Protein |
Niacin |
|---|---|---|---|
|
0–2 weeks |
Duck or waterfowl starter |
20–22% |
About 55 mg/kg of feed |
|
2–8 weeks |
Duck or waterfowl grower |
16–18% |
About 55 mg/kg; keep supplementing if using chicken feed |
|
8+ weeks |
Grower or maintenance ration; layer ration once ducks start laying |
14–16% |
Still needed; most complete duck feeds cover it |
Requirements are based on the National Research Council's guidelines for Pekin ducks, as reproduced in the Merck Veterinary Manual. For a closer look at when to move from starter to grower, see our guide to duck starter vs. grower feed.
Start With a Duck Starter Feed
A complete duck or waterfowl starter is the simplest way to cover protein, niacin and everything else in one feed. It should make up the whole diet for the first one to two weeks and the bulk of it after that. Choose a non-medicated starter: ducklings rarely need coccidiosis medication, and organic duck feeds are always non-medicated.
Can Ducklings Eat Chick Starter?
Yes, with two adjustments. Most chick starters carry less niacin than ducklings need, so add brewer's yeast. A common rule of thumb is about 1 pound of brewer's yeast per 40-pound bag of chick starter, mixed in well. Keep it up for at least the first 8 to 10 weeks.
Use non-medicated chick starter. Ducklings rarely get coccidiosis and eat far more feed than chicks, so they take in more of the medication with little benefit. For more on sharing feed across a mixed flock, see can ducks and chickens eat the same feed? and medicated vs. unmedicated chick starter.
Treats for Ducklings
Fruits, vegetables and greens are treats, not a replacement for starter. Ducklings raised mostly on produce won't get enough protein or niacin. Wait until ducklings are about 1 to 2 weeks old, keep treats under 10% of what they eat, and chop everything finely, since ducks swallow food whole.
- Leafy greens: Kale, Swiss chard, romaine and other salad greens, radish and turnip greens
- Vegetables: Peas, cucumber, carrots (grated), broccoli, celery (finely chopped), cooked pumpkin
- Fruits (sparingly, they're high in sugar): Bananas, apples and pears with seeds removed, peaches with the pit removed, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, ripe tomatoes (fruit only)
- Grapes: Cut into quarters; whole grapes are a choking hazard
- Foraged extras: Dandelion greens, chopped grass and weeds from untreated areas
- Protein boosts: Dried mealworms and small insects
Mash soft foods like banana, pumpkin and pear (peeled) so they're easy to swallow. Leave out cherries, or remove the pits and stems first, since both are toxic.
What Not to Feed Ducklings
- Bread and junk food: Filling but low in nutrients, and a common cause of poor growth and leg problems.
- Whole nuts, seeds and hard foods: Ducks swallow food whole, so these can cause choking.
- Salty foods: Ducklings are especially sensitive to salt in their first few weeks.
- Moldy or spoiled feed: Never feed it.
- Toxic plants: Buttercups, irises, poppies, tulips, sweet peas, lilies, vetches, milkweed and pennyroyal. If ducklings forage outdoors, clear these from their area.
How to Feed and Water Ducklings
Feed
Keep feed available at all times for the first several weeks. Ducklings eat often and need steady nutrition to grow. A shallow tray or low feeder works well. Clear out leftover feed every day, since wet or old feed can grow mold and cause aspergillosis, a serious respiratory infection.
Drinking Water
Ducklings need water with every bite of food to help them swallow, so always place it near the feeder. The waterer should be deep enough for a duckling to dip its whole bill and clear its nostrils, but too narrow or shallow for it to climb in and swim. Ducklings use water to clean their nostrils and eyes, so a waterer that only covers the tip of the bill isn't enough. Refill it with fresh water every day.
Swim Time
Keep swimming separate from drinking water. Young ducklings aren't fully waterproof and can chill or drown, so offer swim time only in a shallow pan of lukewarm water, under supervision, with an easy way out. Dry them off and return them to the brooder heat afterward.
For brooder setup, heat and safety, see how to raise a baby duck.
Try Organic Duck Feed From Nature's Best Organic Feeds
Nature's Best Organic Feeds comes from a family-owned and operated company in business since 1947. Our Organic Duck Crumbles are organic, Non-GMO Project Verified and non-medicated, and they're formulated for the protein, niacin, vitamin and mineral needs of growing ducklings. Use our store locator to find a retailer near you, or contact us with any questions.
