Dairy, fruits, and flowers are among the many things you can feed your ducks. But while some people don’t realize it, dairy and fruits are actually great treats for ducks. However, you should avoid giving your ducks anything that contains too much calcium or is high in fat. Dairy products can be costly, so make sure to check with your supplier before buying them. Also, avoid giving your ducks Mealworms or Fruits because they may interfere with calcium absorption.
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Common weeds, herbs and flowers make tasty treats for ducks
Many weeds, herbs, and flowers are edible for ducks. Try feeding them dandelions, clover, and chickweed. You can also feed them peas and green beans, uncooked and without peeling them. Be sure to avoid using pesticides when growing these plants. In addition to these treats, ducks enjoy dandelion greens. You can feed your ducks unlimited amounts of these plants.
Dairy is surprisingly a good treat for ducks
Although we don’t usually associate dairy with healthy foods, ducks do like to eat them. A small portion of yogurt or cottage cheese will do just fine. You can also give them a small glass of milk. Choose low-fat or fat-free milk, as excessive amounts of dairy can cause diarrhea and stomach aches in ducks. For the best results, offer a small amount of food to your duck each day.
Mealworms are expensive
Mealworms are great treats for your ducks. They are inexpensive and readily available in pet stores. However, they do have a few drawbacks. Unlike other treats for ducks, mealworms do shed their skins. You will want to keep them in a dark, cool area. First, you will need to fill a container with mealworm feed. You can use a variety of materials as long as you layer the feed at least three inches deep. Some of the most common types of feed are wheat bran, rolled oats, and chicken mash. Cereal crumbs are also acceptable. In addition to the above feeds, you can also use a 3 inch layer of oats.
Fruits interfere with calcium absorption
Ducks should never be fed citrus fruits or grapefruits. Citrus fruits have a toxin called persin. They contain too much acid in their digestive tracts, causing thin eggshells. Avocados, too, are highly toxic to birds. If your duck tries to eat them, you should keep the citrus fruit out of their diet altogether. However, some citrus fruits are safe for ducks to eat.
Mealworms can cause egg binding in females
Female ducks are susceptible to the disease egg binding, which results in obstruction of cloacal and oviposition functions. Symptoms of egg binding in female ducks include a swollen abdomen, decreased egg production, lethargy, and constipation. In some cases, a veterinarian can feel the egg in the cloaca during a physical examination. A veterinarian can also use x-rays to determine whether the egg is a soft-shelled one.
Mealworms contain too much sugar
Mealworms are highly nutritious. They contain 53 percent protein, 28 percent fat, 6 percent fiber, and 5 percent moisture. They are also high in vitamin A and D. However, their high sugar content is not the only downside of mealworms for ducks. They can be fed to ducks fresh or dried. You can also provide your ducks with worm meal that is dehydrated and then rehydrated for the ducks to consume.
Algae is expensive
Ducks love algae and filamentous plants, so it’s no surprise that their diet consists of a lot of it. But algae can also harbor harmful bacteria. And, when algae is abundant in a pond, it’s a sign that the pond is over-stocked with nutrients. To prevent this problem, you can move your pond to a shady area, flush the water with gutter downspouts, and keep the algae population under control.
