Poultry Feed for Ducks & Geese

FAQs About Feeding Ducks and Geese

If you’re a poultry owner trying to understand the best diet for your waterfowl, it’s important to read these frequently asked questions about ingredients, diet requirements, and what is guaranteed on your feed tag. In order to choose the best poultry feed for ducks or geese, you have to know what factors make feeding waterfowl unique and how to compare different products on the market.

• Can you feed ducks “chicken” feed?

  While it is generally safe for ducks to eat chicken feed, it should not be their sole diet long-term. Chicken feed lacks key nutrients ducks need and may contain other ingredients that pose as risks such as:

  • Niacin: Ducks require 2–3x more niacin than chickens. Without enough niacin in their diet, ducks can suffer from poor feathering, diarrhea, loss of appetite, or leg deformities like “angel wing.”
  •  Protein: Ducks are omnivores, meaning they eat both animal and plant matter. A diet for ducks should be about 18% protein, some of which should come from animal sources. Some poultry feed, especially chick starter feeds may have too high of protein, which can cause twisted leg bones, stunted growth, or liver strain in ducks.
  • Medicated Feeds: Some chicken feeds include medications (e.g., amprolium) that are not safe for ducks.
  • Calcium: Compared to chickens, ducks need less calcium. Too much can be harmful.
  • Balanced diet: Laying ducks need certain vitamins and minerals to stay healthy. Also, an imbalanced diet can cause a condition called angel wing, which causes the flight feathers to twist upwards.
  • Prebiotics and probiotics: These elements are important to the health of both the digestive and immune systems.
  • Quality feed: Ducks are sensitive to mold toxins (mycotoxins) in their feed. To prevent mold growth after purchase, store your feed in a cool, dry location.

  For this reason, it is best to provide a waterfowl-specific diet.

• How much Niacin do my ducks need?

  A guaranteed minimum amount of niacin is crucial for ducks. Unlike chickens, ducks cannot synthesize niacin efficiently from tryptophan, so it must be supplied directly in their feed. Niacin (Vitamin B3) is essential for:

  • Energy metabolism via NAD/NADP coenzymes
  • Healthy skin and feathers
  • Bone and joint development
  • Preventing leg deformities and slipped tendons, especially in fast-growing ducklings

  So what levels of Niacin should you look for on your feed tag? Depending on product, Nutrena duck and geese feeds have guaranteed niacin levels of 27 to 29 mg/LB.

• What is the ideal feed form for ducks or geese?

  Ducks love to dabble or dip their food in water while eating, so pellet size and density matter. Smaller pellets are easier for them to swallow than large pellets. Harder pellets hold together in water, which means less mess in their drinking water. For this reason, small hard pellets that float are ideal for waterfowl. This combination holds together for less waste and makes feeding waterfowl easier.