What daily snacks can ducks have?

[Twhi7]

I’m getting 5 adult ducks in a few weeks and was wondering besides their regular feed, what can I give them as snacks? I know they are fed mealworms and peas right now but what other foods can they have? Romaine lettuce? And are these things they can have daily - and if so, in what amounts?

I have a bunny and I know foods have to be introduced slowly to bunnies to prevent stomach issues, does this also apply to ducks?

thanks in advance!

 

[KaleIAm]

Congratulations on getting ducks!

Here's a pretty good link to duck snacks: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/the-ultimate-list-of-duck-treats-and-supplements.242460/

For my own ducks I try to keep the treats to a minimum so that they are mostly eating appropriately formulated duck food. If my ducks know I'm going to give them something delicious they will not eat their duck food to, "save room," for snacks. They are basically toddlers waiting for cookies. This doesn't seem to apply to foraging, however. After foraging they divebomb their food bowl.

I do give my ducks a very small handful of mealworms daily, mostly as a reward for going to bed when told or coming when called. Also a grape tomato or two (chopped) each. I'll put some greens into their water bucket. And that's about it on a regular basis. Occasionally, once or twice a month, I'll let them have one or two bites of whatever veggie I'm eating.

Yes, romaine lettuce is fine. My ducks like that kind. Sometimes I'll stick an entire head in their water bucket, leaf side up, and they'll rip pieces off. Ducks don't have the potential digestive issues that bunnies have, so you don't have to be careful in the same way. Ducks can be picky and think new foods are poison though.

 

[Miss Lydia]

My ducks love Mealworms, real worms, romaine lettuce
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/the-ultimate-list-of-duck-treats-and-supplements.242460/

 

[Twhi7]

Congratulations on getting ducks!

Here's a pretty good link to duck snacks: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/the-ultimate-list-of-duck-treats-and-supplements.242460/

For my own ducks I try to keep the treats to a minimum so that they are mostly eating appropriately formulated duck food. If my ducks know I'm going to give them something delicious they will not eat their duck food to, "save room," for snacks. They are basically toddlers waiting for cookies. This doesn't seem to apply to foraging, however. After foraging they divebomb their food bowl.

I do give my ducks a very small handful of mealworms daily, mostly as a reward for going to bed when told or coming when called. Also a grape tomato or two (chopped) each. I'll put some greens into their water bucket. And that's about it on a regular basis. Occasionally, once or twice a month, I'll let them have one or two bites of whatever veggie I'm eating.

Yes, romaine lettuce is fine. My ducks like that kind. Sometimes I'll stick an entire head in their water bucket, leaf side up, and they'll rip pieces off. Ducks don't have the potential digestive issues that bunnies have, so you don't have to be careful in the same way. Ducks can be picky and think new foods are poison though.

Good to know - thanks!

 

[fatty and friends]

treats are good for them and won’t make them sick/affect their health, as long as it’s only 10% of their diet

my ducks love veggies, fruits, bugs, and fish (btw, romaine is fine but avoid iceberg lettuce)

 

[Twhi7]

My ducks love Mealworms, real worms, romaine lettuce
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/the-ultimate-list-of-duck-treats-and-supplements.242460/

Thank you!

 

[Pollo Blanco]

My ducks love cabbage and kale. Any time I find a slug in the garden I feed it to the ducks.

Sometimes I give them a handful of worms from my worm compost

Shredded apples are also a hit

 

[BlueHorse17]

treats are good for them and won’t make them sick/affect their health, as long as it’s only 10% of their diet

my ducks love veggies, fruits, bugs, and fish (btw, romaine is fine but avoid iceberg lettuce)

Why avoid iceberg? Is it cause it doesn’t have much nutrients?

 

[TheDuckGuy]

I’m getting 5 adult ducks in a few weeks and was wondering besides their regular feed, what can I give them as snacks? I know they are fed mealworms and peas right now but what other foods can they have? Romaine lettuce? And are these things they can have daily - and if so, in what amounts?

I have a bunny and I know foods have to be introduced slowly to bunnies to prevent stomach issues, does this also apply to ducks?

thanks in advance!

Personally I can't feed treats only at special occasions like if somebody comes over to see them or they are sick because my ducks don't like to eat there feed anyway and they eat a lot of grass while supervised free ranging

 

[Isadora]

Minnows! They can also double as a boredom buster (albeit a short-lived one) if you put them in some water for the ducks to fish out.