Ducks are omnivores, enjoying a wide variety of foods. Additionally, they have an insatiable appetite for insects and other small animals.
Wild ducks make wonderful additions to any garden, provided you can provide them with a secure place to live and eat. Fortunately, their needs are minimal – simply fresh water and shelter.
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Water
Water is essential to all animals and plants on Earth. It provides them with essential nutrients, making it a vital element of life itself.
Wild ducks require access to open water sources to drink from, as well as a place where they can swim and play in it.
They must also be able to submerge their heads in water for cleaning their nose and eyes. Without this capability, they could experience health issues.
To provide your ducks with enough water, create a pond in your garden. Additionally, add vegetation such as berry bushes or other shrubs around the pond or lake to attract wild ducks and give them somewhere to nest.
Grit
Grit is the small stones, dirt or sand that chickens and ducks swallow to help grind up their food. This is especially crucial for baby ducks since they do not yet possess teeth.
Grit can increase feed efficiency by stimulating the gizzard to contract and relax more frequently, which increases digestion rates by 5% to 10%.
Grit can be purchased from either a feed store or your local pet store, and comes in two forms: soluble grit and insoluble grit.
Niacin
Ducks living in the wild consume various animals and fish for sources of niacin, which is essential for their skeletal development. Without enough niacin, waterfowl may develop a deficiency which leads to issues such as bowed legs and enlarged hock joints.
Fortunately, there are a variety of niacin-rich foods you can easily incorporate into your ducklings’ diet. These include fresh fruit and vegetables, eggs, chicken or other meats, whole grains or enriched grain products as well as protein-based items.
Bread
Bread has been around for centuries and remains a beloved food in many households. The process of making it involves mixing flour with water to form dough that rises and develops its signature chewy, dense texture.
However, recent research indicates that too much bread may actually be detrimental for ducks.
Bread that decays and spoils can pollute ponds or lakes where birds reside, leading to algal blooms and even diseases like botulism which could potentially kill many of these feathered friends.
Fruit
Ducks love fruit – especially apples and melon. You can also offer them small pieces of grapes, peaches, and berries as a treat.
They can also eat various vegetables such as cucumbers, corn, peas, lettuce and cauliflower florets. These foods provide various vitamins that benefit ducks.
Contrary to many other birds, ducks do not follow a set feeding schedule and will eat throughout the day. It is best to only provide them with limited amounts of food at one time as leftover food can attract bugs and spoil quickly, plus it attracts rodents and other wildlife that could harm your ducks.
Vegetables
Like chickens, wild ducks require a variety of vegetables for balanced nutrition. Common items include cabbage, broccoli and spinach.
They can also consume the leaves of certain trees and plants, such as acorns and holly berries. Unfortunately, green tomatoes contain toxic substances which should be avoided for wild ducks.
Treats should not exceed 10% of a duck’s daily diet. Unlimited amounts of grass, weeds, herbs and leafy greens can be given in unlimited amounts as long as they are cut into small pieces or soft to prevent choking.
