Are you wondering what do baby ducks eat? If yes, then you are in the right place. Here we are going to discuss more about what do baby ducks eat. Like all other bird species, the baby ducks are actually born with a good sense of hunger.
They generally grow very fast, and they are capable of looking for food. And the baby ducks are extremely excited about eating. So, choosing the right feed ensures that the ducklings grow as healthy and strong as possible.
What do baby ducks eat?
Baby ducks naturally born with a very good sense of hunger. They eat pretty much everything and grow very fast. But all the foods they eat are not always healthy. So, you have to ensure providing them good and healthy food, especially during their first few weeks of age.
Just because ducklings will eat almost anything does not mean everything is good for them and you can give them anything. Baby ducks actually need special protein and niacin rich foods until they reach their six weeks of age.
Foods with adequate amount of protein and niacin allow the ducklings to develop strong bones and bills. After their 6 weeks of age, these ducks relatively require less protein, but they still need nutrient-rich food for fulfilling vitamins and minerals deficiencies.
What to feed the baby ducks?
As we have mentioned above baby ducks are not picky, and they will eat everything whatever they find edible in front of them. But as a conscious duck owner, you should ensure their nutritional needs.
Nowadays, there are many nutritious commercial duck foods available. These foods are especially prepared for the ducks and rich in essential nutrients for the baby ducks. This type of commercial food for baby ducks are called starter feed.
You can also start feeding your baby ducks with foods that you already have at home. You can give them fruits, vegetables, rice, corn, wheat, barley etc.
Along with providing your ducks with very good quality and nutritious food, always try to keep enough clean and fresh drinking water as per their demand. Set the number of waterers as per the number of your ducklings.
What to avoid feeding baby ducks?
Not all the foods are good for the baby ducks, so you should avoid some foods to your baby ducks. For example, you should not give bread and other junk food to your baby ducks. Bread is a lower-nutrition food, and it is not only unhealthy but also can even be harmful for the ducklings.
Also avoid feeding the ducklings nuts and seeds. Ducks don’t chew their food, so such food can cause choking. Some other foods which are toxic for ducklings include buttercups, poppies, tulips, irises, lilies, sweet peas etc.
How to feed baby ducks?
Baby ducks always remain hungry and they are self feeding. So you can use a dispenser and allow the ducklings to take food freely. Ducklings grow rapidly during their early weeks. So, it is very good to have food readily available. Don’t worry about overeating during the first few weeks, because ducklings need these nutrients to grow and develop.
However, remove old food each day if you leave food out for your ducklings. Because, old and moldy food can cause a deadly lung infection called Aspergillosis.
Always ensure that the ducklings have access to plenty of fresh water while they are eating. Because, water aids in swallowing and prevents choking. Make the water easily accessible. But make the water shallow, as the ducklings can be prone to drowning.
What do baby ducks eat in the wild?
Diet of wild ducklings are totally different form the domestic ducklings. In the wild, the baby ducks typically eat insects, aquatic plants, seeds, small invertebrates like worms and snails, and small fish. Although, their exact diet depends on their location and environment with a focus on protein-rich foods like insects and seeds.
These are the information regarding what do baby ducks eat. Hope you have find your answers. Baby ducks actually eat a variety of foods including seeds, grains, fruits, vegetables, commercial foods etc. Consider sharing this guide with your friends and family members so that they can also know about the diet of ducklings. Good luck and may God bless you!
