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Waterfowl feeding FAQ

Niacin for Ducks & Geese

Show Flock and NatureCrest complete poultry feeds provide more than sufficient niacin for ducks and geese. Choose the formula that fits your birds’ life stage and feed it as directed.

Updated 2 min read

In this guide
  1. What’s in the feed?
  2. Make complete feed the main ration
  3. Does this apply to every product?
  4. Sources

What’s in the feed?

Niacin (vitamin B3) supports normal growth and development. Waterfowl need more than chickens, so the source and amount matter. Show Flock and NatureCrest complete poultry feeds contain added niacin in a readily available form. [1]

The NRC recommends 55 mg/kg for Pekin ducks. For geese, its recommendations are 65 mg/kg for starters, 35 mg/kg for growers, and 20 mg/kg for breeders. Every complete feed listed below exceeds even the highest of these recommendations. [2]

Niacin in each complete feed, mg/kg

NRC · Pekin ducks 55NRC · starting geese 65
Show Flock Starter 77 mg/kg 35 mg/lb
Show Flock Developer 77 mg/kg 35 mg/lb
Show Flock Layer 17 99 mg/kg 45 mg/lb
Show Flock Layer 22 143 mg/kg 65 mg/lb
Show Flock Grand Champion 130 mg/kg 59 mg/lb
NatureCrest Chick Starter/Grower 128 mg/kg 58 mg/lb
NatureCrest Layer Pellet 119 mg/kg 54 mg/lb
The formulas supply 77–143 mg/kg. Several provide approximately twice—or more than twice—the duck recommendation; the exact margin depends on the formula and life stage. Formulation values from Tucker Milling’s niacin FAQ; rounded conversions. These figures describe the formulas and are not additional guaranteed-analysis claims. Always follow the current bag tag. [1, 2]

Make complete feed the main ration

That answer assumes healthy ducks and geese eating the appropriate Show Flock or NatureCrest complete poultry feed as their main ration. Keep feed available, provide fresh water, and limit scratch and treats so they do not dilute the balanced diet.

Choose by life stage, and use the product’s feeding directions to guide transitions. Keep young birds on an appropriate starter or grower; layer feed’s higher calcium is intended for laying birds. See the seven feeds, by life stage.

Does this apply to every poultry product?

This recommendation applies to the seven complete feeds in the chart. Scratch grains—including NatureCrest 6-Way Scratch—are treats, not complete rations. Tucker Milling does not recommend FarmCrest Poultry or Cutting Edge Conditioner as the primary feed for ducks and geese.

Sources

  1. Feed concentrations and product suitability ↩

    Tucker Milling nutrition team · formulation data · reviewed October 5, 2026 · not published online

    Niacin per formula, and which complete feeds suit ducks and geese. Formulation values, not additional guaranteed-analysis claims.

  2. Nutrient Requirements of Poultry, ninth revised edition ↩

    National Research Council (NRC) · 1994

    Niacin recommendations for Pekin ducks and for starting, growing, and breeding geese. The requirement tables are reproduced in the Merck Veterinary Manual’s poultry nutrition reference, linked here.

The seven feeds, by life stage

Each one supplies more niacin than the NRC recommends for ducks and geese. Feed as directed on the tag.

FeedLineProteinBag sizeURL
Show Flock StarterShow Flock21%50 lb bagtuckermilling.com/products/show-flock-starter
Show Flock DeveloperShow Flock20%50 lb bagtuckermilling.com/products/show-flock-developer
NatureCrest Chick Starter/GrowerGMO-Free Flock18%50 lb bagtuckermilling.com/products/naturecrest-chick-starter-grower
Show Flock Layer 17Show Flock17%50 lb bagtuckermilling.com/products/show-flock-layer-17
Show Flock Layer 22Show Flock22%50 lb bagtuckermilling.com/products/show-flock-layer-22
Show Flock Grand ChampionShow Flock18%50 lb bagtuckermilling.com/products/show-flock-grand-champion
NatureCrest Layer PelletGMO-Free Flock16%50 lb bagtuckermilling.com/products/naturecrest-layer-pellet

Ducklings, goslings & growing birds

Show Flock Starter, then Developer. NatureCrest Chick Starter/Grower covers both stages.

Flock feed Show Flock Starter A premium 21% crumble to support growth of mixed flocks.
Protein
21%
Fat
4.0%
Fiber
4.0%
Flock feed Show Flock Developer A premium 20% pellet for growing poultry.
Protein
20%
Fat
4.0%
Fiber
4.0%

Laying birds

Layer feed’s higher calcium is intended for laying birds.

Flock feed Show Flock Layer 17 A premium 17% mini pellet for mixed flocks.
Protein
17%
Fat
3.00%
Fiber
5.00%
Flock feed Show Flock Layer 22 A premium 22% mini pellet for mixed flocks.
Protein
22%
Fat
3.0%
Fiber
4.0%
Flock feed Show Flock Grand Champion This ultra-premium complete feed has been specially crafted for Grand Champions.
Protein
18%
Fat
5%
Fiber
6%

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