Is Bird Food Good For Ducks?
Yes, ducks are very intelligent. But they can’t understand which food is good for them. You can even offer them bird feed and see them eat the whole of it. That brings up the question, is bird food good for ducks?
Ducks can eat bird food. But no matter what, it should not be a primary feed for ducks. Ducks should only be offered a proper duck pellet by considering their size and age.
Now, you will find many variations of bird feed. Among them, which are ideal for ducks? Also, why should you not feed bird food to ducks regularly? You can soon get to know all the answers.
Want to learn more about ducks food:
What to Consider When Choosing Bird Food for Ducks?
You cannot just pick any type of bird food for ducks. When choosing one, keep these important considerations in mind –
1. Natural Diet
First, make sure you have sound knowledge regarding what ducks eat in a natural setting. But which foods are common for ducks? Seeds, nuts, insects, and invertebrates are the common food of ducks and other birds.
2. Nutritional Value
Suitable food for ducks should be packed with nutrients. So, check whether the bird food provides the right amount of fiber, protein, carbs, vitamins, and minerals.
On that note, ducks require 16 to 22 percent protein, 1 to 3 percent calcium, and 5 percent fat from meals. Keep these percentages in mind while choosing bird feed.
3. Added Minerals and Vitamins
The bird food should be full of vitamins and minerals too. Vitamins that you should check are –
In terms of minerals, check whether the feed has these –
Common Types of Bird Food That Are Best for Ducks
There are some types of bird food that are more ideal for ducks than others. A brief description of each is given below –
1. Grains
Ducks and birds love feeding on grains, which include oats, cracked corn, rice, wheat, barley, and a mixture of seeds. But what nutritional values do ducks get from grains?
Well, grains tend to be packed with protein and carbohydrates. In addition, they have several vitamins, such as vitamin E, and minerals like calcium and potassium.
2. Vegetables
Birds and ducks will happily feed on beans, cabbage, and broccoli. You can even include lettuce and cucumber in their feed. On that note, vegetables are packed with fiber, minerals, and vitamins, which are essential for the ducks’ health.
3. Insects and invertebrates
Ducks and birds can eat small insects such as worms, water beetles, snails, and aquatic bugs. These will add protein to the overall diet of the duck and support its growth.
How Much Bird Food Should You Feed Ducks?
A mature duck should consume anywhere from 170 grams to 200 grams of feed per day. And to settle on how much food you should offer, you need to consider the age and activity level.
Nonetheless, when it comes to bird food, you first offer the proper duck pellets. Then, you can add a little bit of bird food as a treat if they are hungry for more food.
Basically, bird food for ducks should be given as a treat. It should not be a primary source of food for them. When it comes to treats, they should not be more than 10% of their daily diet. That’s anywhere from 17 to 20 grams.
What Are the Dangers of Feeding Ducks Bird Food?
You should not worry about any risks if you are feeding the ducks with bird food in moderation. But when you make the ducks rely primarily on bird food, they can face some adverse health effects.
For example, excessive bird food can lead to malnutrition and obesity. Moreover, when you add too much bird food to ducks’ diets, they may no longer want to eat normal duck pellets. And bird food can be expensive.
Final Words
Is bird food good for ducks? In short, bird food is safe for ducks as long as you moderate the amount. You should treat bird food as treats and not let it cross 10% of the daily diet.
That brings us to the end of this article. We hope you have found all the answers you were looking for. And if you did, please support us by connecting with us through Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest.
References:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7705048/
- https://www.metzerfarms.com/nutritional-requirements.html
- https://www.poultryhub.org/all-about-poultry/nutrition/nutrient-requirements-of-ducks
- https://eorganic.org/node/7894
- https://friscolibrary.com/blogs/post/the-dos-and-donts-of-feeding-ducks/
Image Credit:
- Canva.com/photos
