Ducks are omnivorous and will probably eat almost anything you toss at them. Although, that doesn’t mean you should. If you want a healthy treat your ducks will love, you can add various fruits and vegetables to their daily diet.
Sometimes it’s easier to add in the fruits and vegetables you would regularly buy for yourself. But, unfortunately, humans and ducks don’t digest the same way. Which brings us to today’s question: can ducks eat peaches and pears?
Can Ducks Eat Peaches?
Ducks can eat peaches. But do ducks like peaches? Yes! However, there is a right way to prepare peaches for your ducks to enjoy the delicious and nutritious treat safely.
Peaches are rich in nutrients, antioxidants, and vitamins, including protein, vitamin C, and vitamin A. In addition, they have zero saturated fat and are low in calories. However, it would be best not to switch your duck to an all-peach diet, but peaches are an excellent source for enriching their vitamin uptake.
Can Ducks Eat Pears?
Your ducks will probably love eating pears. As a softer fruit, pears are easier to swallow.
Pears are also a fantastic source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, vitamin K, and potassium.
Pears and peaches are comparable in almost every nutritional category, with a few values switched here and there. For example, peaches have slightly more protein, while pears offer more vitamin E.
Can ducks eat pear skin?
Ducks can eat pears, flesh, and skin. Ripe pear skin is especially soft, which makes it easier to grind. The skin is also where most of the nutrients and fiber hide. However, your ducks will likely enjoy the tasty flesh of the fruit more than the skin.
Can Ducks Eat Canned Peaches and Pears?
You can feed your ducks canned peaches, but only choose peaches canned in water. Peaches canned in sugar or similar sweetened additives can be unhealthy.
Canned fruits with syrup are high in sugar. Look for peaches and pears canned in their own juice or with lower sugar content.
Botulism is also a risk for fruit that is canned improperly. It’s crucial to avoid cans that are dented, bloated, or have sprung a leak. If you open a can and discover a strange color or plenty of foam, it’s also wise to toss it.
Preparation
As ducks don’t chew, they can’t devour larger chunks of food. Unlike humans, who use our teeth to cut apart food to make it safer for swallowing, ducks don’t have the same cutting power. Instead, they use grit to grind their food into pieces that are safe to swallow.
When feeding your ducks peaches and pears or other treats, you need to provide an environment where grit is readily available.
If they’re outside, they can use dirt and smaller rocks to help grind their food. If you’re indoors, ensure they have access to grit, such as store-bought, before feeding.
Most domestic ducks are also dabblers, meaning they like to dip their beaks into the water while they’re eating. They sip and grind, making it easier to swallow and help them maintain control of their food. They’ll enjoy their peaches and pears more if you give them plenty of water so that they can dip their beaks.
Another crucial step to prevent choking is to cut peaches and pears into smaller chunks. Peaches and pears are both soft when ripe, which means they’re less likely to be a choking hazard.
However, ducks need their fruit cut into slices or chunks. If the piece is larger than the heel of your hand, it’s too big. Instead, the portions should be shorter than the length of their beak and narrower. If the chunks easily fit inside their beaks, you’ve probably cut to the best size.
Last but certainly not least, you need to remove pits and seeds before feeding your ducks peaches and pears. Seeds are a potential choking hazard. In addition, some seeds, like those in pears and peaches, can harm your duck.
Are Peaches Poisonous to Ducks?
Peaches are a type of stone fruit with pits. Those pits contain trace amounts of cyanide. The toxin is dangerous to humans, but more so for ducks who are unlikely to tolerate even the low doses in peach pits.
Also, be wary of peach leaves and stems, which also contain cyanide. The rapid reaction causes difficulty breathing and cell damage. Even trace amounts may be fatal.
Can Baby Ducks Eat Peaches?
Ducklings can enjoy the taste and nutrients of peaches as much as adult ducks. However, it’s crucial to remember that smaller ducks should have smaller pieces. The smoothness of peaches limits the choking hazard, but it’s still possible. So cut the pieces smaller to keep your ducklings happy and safe.
Can Ducklings Eat Pears?
Your baby ducks can eat pears. The advice for peaches applies here. Cut the chunks to make swallowing easier.
Amount
It can be tempting to treat your ducks in excess, especially if they happily gobble up a new treat. They might love their peaches and pears, but you should limit treats to no more than 10% of their daily food.
On average, adult ducks eat between 6-7 ounces (170-200 grams) every day. Therefore, you should limit your ducks’ treats to 0.6-0.07 ounces (17-20 grams).
Keep in mind that peaches and pears are both excellent sources of protein and vitamins C, so you can usually err on the higher side and feed a little less of their regular food. However, peaches and pears should be a treat, not an everyday occurrence. So limit feeding your ducks peaches and pears to a few times a week.
Conclusion
Today we asked: can ducks eat peaches and pears? The good news is that peaches and pears are safe for your ducks. Both fruits host plenty of beneficial nutrients. If you’re looking for a fun change in their diet, or you have a few too many in the kitchen to eat yourself, cut a few slices and watch your ducks enjoy.