Vella Chick & Duckling Starter Crumble 18kg – Complete Feed for Chicks & Ducklings

Vella Chick & Duckling Starter Crumble 18kg: Complete Feed for Chicks & Ducklings

Vella Chick & Duckling Starter is a complete crumble diet formulated for all breeds of layer chickens and for ducklings, from day old to around 6 to 7 weeks of age. It's a full starter feed, so no other supplement is needed, just provide feed and fresh water. The fine crumble form is easy for young birds to accept and eat, giving chicks and ducklings a strong, healthy start.

What sets this feed apart is that it's built for ducklings as well as chicks. Ducklings need more niacin (vitamin B3) than chicks for proper leg and bone development, and a shortage can cause leg problems. Vella's starter includes elevated niacin levels specifically to support ducklings, which is why it works well for both, unlike some plain chick starters that fall short on niacin for waterfowl.

Herbal Coccidiostat & Clean Formulation

The feed contains Regano, a natural herbal coccidiostat that helps protect young birds against coccidiosis. Because it's non-chemical, it carries no withholding period for meat or eggs, and it's safe for ducklings to consume. The diet uses high-quality vegetable proteins with no urea and no restricted animal materials, and it's free from added hormones and antibiotics. It also includes probiotics, prebiotics, natural betaine and digestive enzymes to support gut health and help birds cope with heat stress.

Typical Analysis (As Fed)

• Energy: 2,700 kcal/kg

• Protein: 20%

• Calcium: 1.0%

• Phosphorus: 0.61%

• Fibre: 6%

• Fat: 6%

How to Feed

Feed ad-lib (free choice) to chicks and ducklings from day old through to 6 to 7 weeks, then transition to the appropriate grower feed. Make sure fresh, clean water is available at all times, this is especially important for ducklings, which drink heavily and need water alongside their feed. In the first few days, refresh the feed regularly to encourage intake. As a guide, birds eat roughly 2 to 2.5 kg of feed each over the full 0 to 6/7 week starter period, though intake varies with climate and housing.

Key Features & Benefits

• Complete crumble diet for chicks and ducklings, day old to 6-7 weeks

• Elevated niacin levels to support healthy duckling development

• Regano natural herbal coccidiostat, no withholding period for meat or eggs

• High-quality vegetable proteins, no urea, no restricted animal materials

• No added hormones or antibiotics

• Includes probiotics, prebiotics, betaine and digestive enzymes

• Fine crumble form for easy intake by young birds

• Available in 1kg, 2kg, 4kg and 18kg

Frequently Asked Questions

Can ducklings eat this chick starter?
Yes. Unlike many plain chick starters, Vella's Chick & Duckling Starter is formulated with elevated niacin specifically to support ducklings, so it suits both chicks and ducklings from day old to 6-7 weeks.

Why do ducklings need more niacin than chicks?
Ducklings grow fast and need more niacin (vitamin B3) than chicks for strong legs and bone development. A niacin shortage can cause leg weakness, which is why a starter with added niacin, like this one, is important for ducklings.

Is this a complete feed?
Yes. It's a complete crumble diet providing everything chicks and ducklings need in the starter phase, so no other supplement is required, just feed and fresh water.

What is the coccidiostat, and is it safe?
It contains Regano, a natural herbal coccidiostat that helps protect against coccidiosis. It's non-chemical, has no withholding period for meat or eggs, and is safe for ducklings.

How long do I feed starter for?
Feed it from day old to around 6 to 7 weeks of age, then move birds onto a suitable grower feed for the next stage.

How much will my birds eat?
As a guide, each bird eats roughly 2 to 2.5 kg of feed over the whole 0 to 6/7 week starter period, though this varies with climate and housing.

What sizes does it come in?
It's available in 1kg, 2kg, 4kg and 18kg, with the 18kg bag suited to larger flocks.