[darrena]

Hi,
I am soon to be collecting 2 female welsh harlequin ducks that will be 1 week old.
I have also ready puchased some chick crumbs under the advice of my local Scatts country store but have now read that these must not be feed to ducks as the crumbs contain ciccidiosis and that organic feed only should be used. Is this correct???
These ducks are for pets and not human consumption not sure if that matters?

[Vember]

Best thing is to get some proper waterfowl crumbs

If they are only going to be a week old then they'll need it for 3ish weeks before changing on to duck grower feed

I get mine delivered by GJW Titmuss as it's a nightmare to get hold of round here

For the crumbs you might be best trying ebay as there is some sold on there and Titmuss only sell huge bags which to be honest will be a waste of money as you'll not use it all.
Get the big bags of growers though when the time comes as can eat that till just before point of lay.
Mine don't as they mix with the adults and end up eating their food by the time they're 8 weeks old

Sarah

[darrena]

At what stage can you start feeding them standard poultry layer pellets

[Vember]

Officially about 3/4 weeks off point of lay which isn't easy to determine 

With mine they start earlier than that as they are mixed with the adult birds Gabby & Rd are 8 weeks old and are dibbing into the layers now during the day, but I still give them growers to eat overnight


Sarah

[darrena]

Looks like I will have to take the chick crumbs back then and see if I can get my money back, I cant believe they knowingly sold me this food for ducks which could be harmful to them.
Is there any stage in that standard chick layer pellets can be used or does it always have to be unmedicated?

[Vember]

Once they are at the laying stage or around then, then they can have the same layers pellets as chickens have

But never chick crumbs or chick grower as those are the medicated ones

Sarah

[Foxy]

I use small holders chick crumb for my ducklings as it is unmedicated

[Kate and her Ducks]

I use the smallholder chick crumbs too.

[Vember]

Used it too in the past

Then I saw this on their own website, thought it was weird for them to suggest only use in an emergency

Maybe just trying to get folks to buy their duck starter But decided to get the real stuff as I was hatching so many


http://www.smallholderfeed.co.uk/Products/Poultry/Baby-Chick-Crumbs.aspx


Sarah

[Rubellite]

Used it too in the past

Then I saw this on their own website, thought it was weird for them to suggest only use in an emergency

http://www.smallholderfeed.co.uk/Products/Poultry/Baby-Chick-Crumbs.aspx


Sarah

I think it is because Smallholder don't use anti-coccidiostats but other companies do, so are warning against making it common practise. If that makes any sense!

[darrena]

I have now been back to Scatt's and I miss read their label, it would appear their chick starter crumbs are totally unmedicated so should be ok!