Ducks often wait in parks and ponds for humans to feed them. Unfortunately, while people may offer handouts, many of the foods people bring are unsuitable for ducks or other wildlife.
Bread, for instance, isn’t recommended because it’s not nutritious and could lead to malnutrition. Likewise, chips, crackers, and other junk food contain empty calories which should never be consumed in large amounts.
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Fruits
Apples, pears, bananas, watermelon, cantaloupe and plums are all great choices to feed your ducks. Be sure to remove the pit first as these pits contain cyanide which could be toxic if eaten by your ducks.
Vegetables such as peas, beans, cucumbers, kale, lettuce and broccoli are ideal for your ducks. Onions and spinach should be avoided though since they may interfere with calcium absorption in the body.
Nyjer seeds, in addition to fresh vegetables, are an excellent source of nutrition for ducks. You can sprinkle them onto a bird feeder or offer them as a treat as a reward.
Vegetables
Vegetables are an excellent addition to any duck’s diet. Not only do they provide essential nutrients, but they can be enjoyed as a tasty side after the main course.
Vegetables also provide protein and fiber, which are beneficial to a duck’s health and wellbeing. The ideal vegetables for ducks to consume include corn, peas, beans, cucumber and broccoli.
Tomatoes are another vegetable that ducks enjoy and will happily break apart into small pieces. Unfortunately, green tomatoes contain toxic substances for ducks so only feed them ripe red tomatoes.
Other vegetables ducks enjoy are squash and cabbage; these can be consumed raw or cooked and are highly nutritious.
Grains
Ducks and other waterfowl feed on aquatic vegetation such as seeds, insects, worms and small water snails. This provides them with a balanced nutrition that promotes healthy growth and development.
The good news is that many foods, including grains like oats, wheat and barley can be fed to your ducks.
Additionally, they contain essential vitamins and minerals like Vitamin B, E, and Phosphorus that support their immunity as well as provide the building blocks for muscle and bone development.
Meat
Duck meat is beneficial for ducks as it contains a healthy amount of the amino acid methionine, an essential amino acid which plays an essential role in protein synthesis, supports growth and healthy feathering, as well as protects against waterfowl diseases.
In addition to methionine, ducks require niacin for their health and development. Since niacin isn’t naturally produced in their bodies, supplemental supplementation of this essential nutrient is necessary.
Ducks in the wild eat a variety of foods, such as grasses and small plants that other animals won’t eat. This provides them with a balanced, nutritious diet which keeps them healthy and active.
Eggs
Eggs are an excellent source of nutrition for ducks. Not only are they high in protein and essential vitamins and minerals like vitamin D and calcium, but they’re also high in protein.
Additionally, ducklings tend to have low fat intake which may be beneficial if you’re trying to shed pounds. That being said, it’s still recommended that they be eaten in moderation.
Chicken eggs are not the only type of eggs ducks will eat; other domestic fowl eggs can also be fed if properly cooked. As with all food sources, make sure that all meals are thoroughly cooked before offering them to your duck friends.
If you decide to feed eggs to your ducks, it is a wise idea to grind the shells into a powder before giving them to baby ducklings in order to prevent choking. Furthermore, avoid giving raw eggs as these may contain salmonella bacteria.
