Raising ducklings in homesteads has become more prevalent. They are unique pets that bring interest and diversity to our lives. Ducks can also be a good source of income: whether raised for meat or eggs.
Did you buy a few ducklings from a local store? Or are you considering getting a few? Did you receive ducklings as gifts? If your answer is yes to any of these questions, you must be wondering, “what do baby ducks eat?” Luckily it is not rocket science.
Adult ducks are open to various foods, but your ducklings require a special diet from hatching until they are fully grown. Young ducks eat ducklings’ starters, fruits and veggies, and proteins like dried insects.
However, that is not all you need to know about your ducklings’ diet. Read on this guide for in-depth scrutiny of what ducklings can and can’t eat and a few extra handy tips.
Duckling Food Essentials
Duckling feed is for days old to sixteen weeks old ducks. At sixteen weeks, they are considered adult ducks.
The answer is yes in case you are probing, “can baby ducks eat chick starter?” Ducklings can safely feed on game bird feed, waterfowl feed, or even your chick starter feeds. However, ducklings are only safe with non-medicated chick starter feed.
A little brewer’s yeast sprinkled on the ducklings’ feed provides the much-needed niacin (Vitamin B) for strong bones. Raw oats provide some extra protein and nutrients to ducklings, while treats such as worms, peas, swiss chard are healthy favorites of young ducks.
However, ducks do not like eating wilted greens. Always keep in mind: just because your ducklings love a particular meal, it does not mean that it is healthy for them.
Commercial Feed
Ducklings do not consume anything until after the first 24 hours after hatching because they are still utilizing nutrients from the yolk of the egg they hatched from. Afterward, they should be fed starter crumbs bought from feed supply stores.
Starter crumbs are rich in protein, while growers have less protein content. Starter feed should be fed in their first 2-3 weeks and then growers after. Feeding starter to ducklings after 2-3 weeks risks angel wing due to high protein.
There are many duckling feed brands in the market, though not close to the different feed brands for chicks. Most of them have the much-needed nutrition for ducks, with no added antibiotics, animal by-products, or hormones.
Feed is often in pellet form, typically referred to as mixed seed because it prevents ducklings from selecting some and leaving out others – missing out on vital nutrients. It would be best if you chose feed made particularly for waterfowls.
One exceptional quality but costly duckling feed is Mazuri. If ducklings seem somewhat hesitant to eat, adding a little water to the food or little sugar to their water should give them a great kickstart.
What Fruits do Baby Ducks Eat?
In case you are having a hard time figuring out what fruits do baby ducks eat? Here is a list of some essential fruits to include in your duckling starter feed recipe:
- Can Baby Ducks Eat Strawberries
Just like we love eating strawberries, ducks also do very much. They are a delicious addition to their food which also have many essential vitamins and minerals crucial for your young duck’s growth.
Strawberries contain enriching calories, vitamin C, carbohydrates, and manganese that are important for the healthy growth and development of ducks.
While feeding strawberries, it is recommended that you either chop them into bits or marsh them to prevent them from choking.
- Can Baby Ducks Eat Bananas?
When it comes to bananas, it is hard to mention one animal that does not like or eat them, especially when they are sweet and have a scrumptious-looking texture.
Your ducklings, rest assured, will also love bananas. Just like the case for strawberries, chop the banana into small sizable pieces for your duckling.
Also, you can consider making a smoothie including all their favorite healthy supplements or mashing so that it is easy for them to eat.
- Can Baby Ducks Eat Apples?
Yes, they also love apples (apple flesh, not seeds). You need to cut the apple treat into small pieces and float it on the water for them to eat it. However, fruits such as apples have many sugars; hence it would be best if you fed them sparingly – but be ready for lots of happy quacks.
Other fruits that ducklings love and are nutritious include:
- Peaches
- Cherries
- Pears
Fruits and Vegetables
A crucial factor to remember with vegetables and greens is that you have to prepare them properly. Ducklings love their leafy greens torn into small pieces and floated on the water.
Interestingly, ducks swallow their food whole: without chewing.
Moreover, you should avoid feeding your ducklings with spinach.
Some of the greens and veggies that your duckling will love are:
- Cucumber – contains vitamins K, vitamin C, manganese, vitamin A, potassium, and fiber. It is popularly known for its high concentration of water.
- Peas – baby ducks love peas, especially when they are fresh. They are mainly used as treats, especially when training them.
- Zucchini – just like the cucumber, it is also commonly known to have high water content. It also contains fiber, vitamin A, manganese, and carbs.
- Tomatoes – you can comfortably feed your ducklings any selection of tomatoes. However, please do not feed the ducklings with tomatoes, vines, or leaves as they are usually toxic to birds.
Nonetheless, greens should not be the primary diet for your ducklings because they do not make a balanced diet.
Proteins
Probably the most important thing to know about ducklings is that they are insatiable omnivores. They require abundant protein sources in their daily diets!
Young ducks have varying needs when it comes to proteins. For the first couple of weeks, they require about 20%-22% of protein content. Afterward, it would help if you cut that down to 16%-18%.
Unfortunately, it is hard to find a low protein feed but adding some uncooked oatmeal decreases the percentage of protein in your ducklings’ feed gradually.
If you are giving your ducklings high protein treats, limit the amount you give them. Treats that ducklings love include dried insects like larvae and shrimps. Other high-protein treats are such as eggs, crickets, mealworms, darkling beetles, etc.
Ducklings, unlike chicks, find it hard to pick quickly. Therefore, it would be great if you floated the protein treats on the water for them to eat with ease.
Also, put into consideration your duckling’s age. Large treats may be tricky for hatchlings to swallow, and they may end up choking.
Do Not Forget Water
One thing that people tend to ignore is water. You should not provide just water, but clean water. Ducks of all ages find it troublesome to swallow dry food, and hence water helps wash it down. Water is also essential for them to wash out their bills regularly.
What Not to Feed Ducklings!
Ducklings do not eat anything and everything! If you have been keen enough, there are a few pointers on what not to feed ducklings while highlighting their main diets.
If you are still curious, here is a detailed summary of food items that you should rule out from your ducklings’ menu in addition to spinach:
- Adult Layer Feed
You should never feed adult duck layers to ducklings: even in emergencies. It contains a very high calcium content that enhances the production of healthy eggs in layers.
High calcium levels are toxic to ducklings because they lead to the liver, kidneys, and bones. In extreme circumstances, it may even cause death.
- Shells
Egg and oyster shells are only great treats for adult ducks aged 20-21 weeks. You should avoid feeding them to ducklings for the same reason as the layer provides. Ducklings can also choke while trying to swallow these shells.
Other essential pointers to note are:
- Avoid medicated feeds as ducklings eat a lot which could lead to overdose
- Avoid feeding ducklings with fruits and vegetables as the main meal
- Avoid chick feeds
Can Baby Ducks Eat Bread?
Yes, they can, but it is not recommended in any way. Generally, avoid feeding ducklings foods that are not manufactured for them. Most human foods like bread, chips, donuts, and cereal do not have the required nutritional requirements for ducks.
Even if you feed them these foods and find ducklings interested, they are still not good for them.
Duckling Food Poisoning Symptoms
It would be best if you were observant of your ducklings’ habits. Once they exhibit symptoms like poor egg quality, reduced egg production, scours, rapid heartbeat, visceral gout, or kidney failure, they may have been food poisoned.
Droppings from ill ducklings can quickly infect other members of the same flock. A casual day-to-day inspection of the ducklings’ coop can help prevent the spread of disease-causing bacteria.
How Much Do Ducklings Eat?
A fully grown duck (16 weeks old or older) consumes about 170-200 grams (6-7 ounces) per day. Ducklings, on the other hand, digest food fast thus require food more often.
You should feed your ducklings at least thrice a day. It would be best if you had designated feeding times for mature ducks but not ducklings. It would help if you did not worry about their overeating. Just ensure that they can have enough feed at all times.
Similarly, ducklings drink a surprisingly large amount of water. Yours is to ensure they have a constant supply of clean fresh water. If possible, replenish it several times a day. However, the water level for ducklings should be kept very shallow to reduce the risk of drowning.
What do Ducklings Eat in the Wild?
The secret to making a baby duck eat is knowing exactly what a baby duck likes to eat in the first place. Ducks are said to be foragers; they pick up anything to know how it tastes!
Ducklings can feed on a variety of seagrasses, grains, vegetation, and invertebrates in the wild. These diets combined to provide the much-needed nutrients for ducklings to grow. They also love eating algae, dandelions, garden snails, garden weeds, crickets, tomato bugs, and slugs.
Conversely, foods commonly fed to ducklings at parks such as crackers, bread, or corn are usually low in protein and essential minerals such as calcium and phosphorus. These nutrients are much needed in ducklings for their growth.
A domesticated duckling is usually totally dependent on human beings for survival, do not let these creatures go into the wild and assume that they will endure on their own!
Breed Specific Duckling Feeds
Typically, duckling starter feed can vary with different duckling breeds. Like chicken and other birds, certain species are reared for meat production, others for their eggs, and others for aesthetic purposes.
So what do baby Muscovy ducks eat and other various duckling breeds? Here is a comprehensive breakdown of what different baby ducks like to eat:
- Broiler Ducks – Pekin and Muscovy
In a commercial setting, the most popular duckling breeds are the white Pekin, Muscovy, and hybrid or mule ducks – a crossbreed of the first two. These ducklings have different growth rates; hence their nutritional requirements differ slightly.
Pekin ducklings grow to 6-7lbs after about eight weeks, having fed about 20 to 25lbs of feed. Muscovy and Mule ducklings tend to take longer to acquire the same weight, and they also need more feed.
When allowed to feed on green plants, slugs, insects, etc., most ducklings will get their minimum nutritional requirements. However, forage alone renders the production of meat and eggs relatively low.
Duck owners who would like to maximize their production should provide their ducklings with supplementary feeds. Ducks need similar supplements as chicken but in different quantities.
- Indian Runner Duck
These ducks can be brown, fawn, white, or black. They have an upright stance and are also long and thin. At times, they can stand almost in a vertical position. Indian Runner ducks are popular for laying eggs and can lay up to 300 eggs per year.
This breed generally makes easy-care pets that only require supplemental feed to complete their diets. Once they are grown, provide a mixture of corn and wheat for them to eat as needed. Finely ground shells in the ducks’ diet increase calcium content in the birds and produce strong shells.
- Khaki Campbell Ducklings
The Khaki Campbell Duck is bred from the Wild Mallard and Indian Runner ducks. They do not stand as straight, and their feathers’ colors range from khaki, dark, or white. The neck in the khaki-colored breed is usually colored green.
Typically, a Khaki Campbell duck consumes about 130g of feed per day. These ducklings can feed on oysters, snails, fish, insects, etc. They are also egg-laying ducks; hence, once fully grown, consider adding some layers-mash for ducks in their diet for healthier, stronger eggs.
Whatever the breed of ducks, the most important thing is to keep the diet balanced. It helps keep your birds healthy and productive at their best –whether for meat or eggs!
Homemade Duckling Feeds
There are several simple recipes you can make for your duckling! A handy tip is to mix up the different recommended duckling feeds. Remember to avoid the foods we have discussed as not fit for ducks!
Perhaps something easy you can try is blending brown rice, assorted vegetables, and oats. Mix up the finely chopped ingredients in a bucket. Finally, grab handfuls tossing them on the ground for your ducklings to enjoy.
Do not feed the birds if they seem uninterested; leftover feeds easily attract unwanted pests after rotting.
How to Make a Baby Duck Eat
Adult ducks can survive for 8-9 hours without food. However, ducklings constantly require to eat. If not, try to determine the root cause of the problem and then resolve to eat because they need the energy.
If your ducklings are hesitant to eat, there are a few reasons that could be causing this problem. Ducklings eat 24 hours after hatching because they are still absorbing nutrients from the egg yolk. The food may also be too dry for them.
To make your ducklings eat, try supplementing their diets with fresh fruits and vegetables. Using some treats also motivates them to eat more. Additionally, try adding some water to the food to make it easier to swallow. A little amount of sugar in water can help give them a good kickstart.
Here is a good watch for some extra tips.
Conclusion
Now you know how to raise ducklings like a pro from this guide on “what do baby ducks eat!” It may not be easy at first, but once you get the hang of it, you will find it fun and highly rewarding in the end. You only need to make sure that you abide by all the mentioned elements in this guide.
If you still come across some challenging areas, it would be best to consult experts or known duck owners from your area, and they will undoubtedly be of help!
Good luck rearing healthy-looking ducks!