So, what do you feed a wild duck? Ducks like greens, but they prefer shredded leaves that you toss in water. They also love fruits, especially those without pits. You can cut them up into bite-sized pieces and feed them that way. When berries are in season, ducks like berries as well. Cucumbers, carrots, turnips, and leftovers can also be enjoyed by ducks.
Avoid feeding bread to wild ducks
Although they love fruit, don’t feed your ducks fruit in excess. They might over-eat and develop diarrhea. Fruit with seeds or pits is also dangerous. Apple seeds, for instance, contain cyanide, which is toxic to ducks. In nature, ducks eat grasses, plants, and grains. They don’t eat bread, but they do enjoy other types of foods. Don’t feed your ducks bread, croissants, or bread pudding.
While ducks can digest almost any type of bread, too much of it will make them feel stuffed. It also lacks vitamins and minerals necessary for their health. Besides, too much bread can increase the risk of algal growth and encourage pests like rats. Swan Support, an organization that rescues swans, has blamed the ban on bread as the culprit for the growing number of abandoned ducks. The nonprofit organization also said that bread handouts are a cause of high crowding at feeding sites and a major source of stress for ducks.
Providing bread to wild ducks can cause several health problems. First, bread is high in carbohydrates and has little nutritional value. Secondly, bread can harm ducklings, which need a diverse diet. Moreover, it can cause deformed wings and make the ducks prone to disease. Third, bread can attract rats, which are known to spread diseases. If you’re not careful, bread can be deadly to ducks.
Avoid feeding potatoes to wild ducks
If you’re feeding your wild ducks, remember to keep some of the same safety precautions as you would for humans. One thing you should keep in mind is that raw potatoes contain solanine, which is a neurotoxin and a natural pesticide found in plants in the Nightshade family. Solanine may be toxic, but it’s not enough to kill wild ducks. Here are some other safety tips for feeding your wild ducks.
In moderation, potatoes are fine to feed to wild ducks. However, you shouldn’t feed raw potatoes to them. They contain toxins that can cause heart problems, tummy aches, and even death. Potato eyes are toxic as well, and you shouldn’t feed your ducks raw potatoes. Avocados and spinach can also harm wild ducks because they prevent their bodies from absorbing calcium, which is vital for the production of eggs.
While many ducks eat human-style junk food, they shouldn’t get too much of it. They don’t need the empty calories that come with potato products, so they shouldn’t be given too many. Nevertheless, you can give them occasional treats of fresh corn kernels or defrosted frozen corn kernels. In addition to these, you should avoid giving your wild ducks potato chips, which are high in fat and sugar.
Avoid feeding citrus fruits to wild ducks
Despite their healthy benefits for humans, citrus fruits can be deadly for wild ducks. Not only can these citrus fruits upset their digestive systems, but they can also make them excessively thirsty, which can lead to death. Besides being harmful to ducks, citrus fruits are also expensive. You can shred fruits and vegetables and feed them to your ducks instead. If you’re concerned about what you feed your ducks, try these healthy alternatives:
Although ducks like various fruits and vegetables, you should stay away from citrus fruits during unripe months. Citrus fruits contain high amounts of vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, which can cause problems in ducks’ calcium absorption and lead to calcium deficiency. Citrus consumption can also cause gastric problems. Instead, try to feed your ducks fresh veggies and fruits like peas and berries.
Although citrus fruits may not be toxic to your ducks, you should avoid feeding them oranges, bananas, and grapes to avoid a bloated stomach. Citrus fruit peels are a good source of antioxidants, but they should not be fed to wild ducks. Aside from fruits, ducks also like vegetables. Banana bread, tomatoes, and lettuce are excellent sources of nutrients for ducks. However, you should avoid feeding them oranges, avocados, and grapes because they have higher amounts of Pectin.
