Though you may enjoy feeding your ducks in the backyard or visiting a local pond, it’s not recommended to give them bread or other human foods.
These foods offer little nutritional value and may cause serious health issues for your ducks. Furthermore, they pollute waterways and destroy aquatic vegetation.
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1. Compost
Composting is an effective way to recycle kitchen and yard waste and reduce landfill accumulation. Additionally, it helps aerate soil, break down organic matter, and protect plants by providing beneficial microorganisms for plant disease prevention.
In the wild, ducks forage and consume a variety of greens. It’s essential that you provide them with a diet that closely mirrors what they would consume in their natural habitat, as commercial feeds may not contain enough protein and essential vitamins and minerals for your flock.
Composting with nitrogen-rich materials requires layering them with carbon-rich ones. Aerate your pile by turning it with long rubber gloves every few days for best results.
Create your own compost bin from cinder blocks or old lattice fencing if you’re feeling creative. Just use a 3/16″ or larger drill bit to drill 8-10 small holes in the bottom for air flow; organic waste needs oxygen in order to break down properly.
2. Vegetables
Vegetables are an integral part of many diets around the world, packed with vital nutrients and low in calories. They come in a range of forms from leafy greens to roots and can be enjoyed in many different ways.
Vegetables can be divided into eight main categories: Root Vegetables, Leafy Vegetables, Fruit Vegetables, Beans, Eggplant, Mushrooms, Potatoes and Tomatoes.
Vegetables such as tomatoes, eggplants, white potatoes and rhubarb are generally safe treats for your ducks and can be grown in either a backyard garden or kiddie pools in the duck run. Avoid nightshade family members like tomatoes, eggplants white potatoes and rhubarb because they contain toxic elements that should not be given to your flock.
Wild ducks and backyard ducks alike can benefit from some nutritious snacks throughout the day. Grains such as oats, rice and seeds are ideal options that can be sprinkled on the ground or added to a pond for your ducks to eat. Not only are these items cheap to purchase and easy to transport, but they’re small enough for scooping up and consumption by ducks.
3. Commercial Feed
Commercial feed is a mixture of grains, chemicals, and vitamins that you can use to make affordable duck food. However, you should be aware that a high-protein diet may lead to health issues in growing ducks such as dropped wings.
For optimal health and weight maintenance of your ducks, opt for a low-protein diet that contains essential amino acids. These nutrients support strong bones and muscles.
You can add brewer’s yeast to your duck’s feed at a 5% ratio for them to get enough niacin in their diet. Niacin is an essential mineral that young ducks require for growth and development.
It is essential to provide your ducks with a high-quality layer or breeder pellet that meets their protein, calcium, and fiber needs throughout their lifespan. Furthermore, the food should be fortified with prebiotics and probiotics in order to boost their immune and digestive health.
4. Seeds
Seeds and nuts provide essential nutrition, but should only be consumed in moderation. Due to their high fat content and essential fatty acid composition, eating too many of these can lead to digestive issues if consumed in large amounts.
Sunflower seeds make an excellent addition to your duck’s diet as they contain vitamins E, B1, and W. Additionally, sunflower seeds provide thiamine which strengthens both their immune and digestive systems.
Pumpkin seeds are another beneficial seed for your ducks. Not only do they contain high amounts of dietary fiber and protein, but their high nutritional value helps ensure your ducks remain healthy.
However, you should not feed this as the sole food for your ducks as it lacks Niacin – essential for their health and development. Instead, supplement with brewer’s yeast or supplements to give your birds extra Niacin for optimal wellbeing and growth.
