One of the first questions you might ask yourself is “what to feed newborn ducklings?” The most basic answer is to feed them a diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, and grains. Ducks love apples, which they can eat both the flesh and the seeds. Pumpkin and leafy greens are also good choices for them. Since they don’t chew, they can float them on water without having to worry about their pieces getting stuck in their digestive system.
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Vegetable soups
Vegetable soups are a wonderful way to introduce your new baby duckling to vegetables and to the tastes of different vegetables. They can help with a blocked nose, as well as tantalise your child’s taste buds. Plus, vegetable soups are high in water content, which helps to compensate for the amount of liquid your child needs. The mashed and pureed consistency of vegetables also facilitates digestion. Plus, they help fight off infections!
Peas
If you are looking for a good way to introduce vegetables to your newborn ducklings, consider using peas. Peas are an excellent source of protein, and they are also highly digestible. Try mixing in pea sprouts with their normal diet, or add a few tablespoons of corn kernels. Dried peas may also be used, but these must be split and cooked to be digested properly. This way, the ducks won’t be able to absorb as much of the nutritional value.
Cucumber
The skin of a cucumber is healthy for your ducks and is also safe to feed them. Cucumbers are loaded with nutrients, but make sure you slice them with the skin attached. Organic cucumbers are best, as grocery store varieties may have chemicals that can harm your ducks’ health. Cucumbers are also a great source of water and fiber. Cucumbers are great to feed your ducks, but be sure to keep them away from the leaves of the cucumber, which can cause digestive issues.
Grapes
If you are planning to feed grapes to your ducklings, you need to be very careful. Normally, ducks eat insects, worms, crustaceans, crayfish, and seeds. However, you should only give them a small portion of grapes on special occasions, and only when they are fully ripe. Otherwise, the grapes can get lodged in the ducks’ throats and cause choking. In addition, grapes should always be fed chopped, as uncut pieces may cause choking.
Oatmeal
Oatmeal is a great food to add to the diet of newborn ducklings. It is a great source of protein and amino acids. Besides the protein it provides, it also keeps the ducklings hydrated. Newborn ducklings require a lot of fresh water to survive. You should make sure to feed them at least two cups of fresh water each day. If you can’t find the right mix for your flock, try a 25 percent ratio of rolled oats.
Medicated chick feed
Medicated chick feed for newborn ducks is a good idea during this critical time, when your little ones are vulnerable to illnesses. However, you should avoid using it if you vaccinate your chicks. Medicated starter does not cure any disease in your ducks, so it should only be used as a preventative measure. It also contains amprolium, a medication that isn’t safe for ducks. Medicated feeds also contain niacin, which is important for ducklings, because chicks are unable to convert this nutrient to niacin.
Livestock-grade brewer’s yeast
Brewer’s yeast is a vital vitamin for chickens and ducklings. It plays a role in bone development and maintains overall health. Depending on the dosage, a tablespoon to two tablespoons should be given to each duckling every day. One study conducted in Iran found that brewer’s yeast can lower blood pressure. The reduction in systolic and diastolic pressure was 4.1 and 5.7 mmHg, respectively. The dosage recommended by most manufacturers is one to two tablespoons daily.
