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Vegetables
Vegetables are safe to feed to your ducks, especially if you prepare them yourself. Just make sure to cook them first, so that they are smaller and easier to swallow. Generally, ducks love green vegetables, but they may not like the peels. Beets are another good choice. Be aware that ducks might have trouble eating raw beets, so it’s best to prepare them before giving them to your ducks.
Fresh cracked corn or frozen sweetcorn kernels are also good options for ducks. But if you plan to keep your ducks near a fish pond, remember to check the salt content before feeding them. Rolling porridge oats are an excellent alternative to bread and are safe for your ducks. You can also give them sunflower seeds or bird seed mixes. Ducks also enjoy rice.
Fruit
Although most fruits are safe to feed ducks, there are certain fruits and vegetables that should be avoided. These foods can be fatal for your flock. You should avoid giving your ducks fruit and vegetables that contain seeds and pits. These are a source of cardiac-toxic cyanide. Besides, some types of fruits and vegetables contain laxatives that are bad for your ducks’ health.
While most ducks love to eat fruits, they should avoid citrus fruits. Citrus fruits are difficult for ducks to digest and interfere with their ability to absorb calcium. This results in thinning eggshells. They should also avoid avocados because their pits contain cyanide.
Herbs
Ducks can be fed a variety of fruits and vegetables. However, you need to watch out for some ingredients. Citrus fruits are bad for your ducks because they prevent them from absorbing calcium, which can result in thin eggshells. Also, citrus foods are difficult for ducks to digest and can cause them stomach pain or acid reflux. Avocados are also harmful to ducks because they contain cyanide, which can cause them to vomit or even die.
Herbs are a good supplement to a duck’s diet. Ducks will naturally seek out herbs and weeds if they are allowed to roam freely. These herbs help their immune system and prevent respiratory infections.
Flowers
Flowers are a healthy food source for ducks, but not all of them are suitable for consumption. Flowers have a distinctive taste and aroma that ducks love. Furthermore, they are an excellent source of vitamin C and other nutrients. Listed below are several different types of flowers that ducks can safely eat.
Dried flowers are a good choice. Dried dandelions can be added to ducks’ food as a treat. They can also be fed the seeds found in plants. However, they should not consume too much seeds, as it can affect the growth of the crop. Eggs are another option for feeding ducks. Eggs can be given in a variety of forms – scrambled, hardboiled, or chopped with their shells. Oyster shells can also be used for providing calcium to ducks.
Flowers can be mowed down into tiny pieces and mixed with other vegetables in the duck’s feeding bowl. Ducks can also eat grapes, either green or red, if cut into small pieces. Dried dandelions are also a great source of nutrition for ducks. Just make sure they are free from pesticides or chemicals.
Commercially prepared duck feed
While commercially prepared duck feed is safe for your ducks, you need to know the ingredients that you feed them. Some ingredients are not healthy for your ducks and can pose choking hazards. You should also avoid foods that are high in sugar or fat. Alcohol is also bad for your ducks and can depress their organs. You may want to use a supplement for your ducks such as brewer’s yeast or vitamin E.
Herbs are also healthy for ducks. You can include herbs, like dill and wheatgrass in their diets. Other beneficial ingredients include calendula, mint, sunflowers, bee balm, and chamomile. Other fruits that are beneficial to your ducks include figs and peaches, but limit the amount of peaches.
