Can Ducks Eat Apricots? Yes, But Seedless!
Can ducks eat apricots? Yes, Ducks can eat stone fruit like apricots, which is not like deadly avocado. But it should be given to them as an occasional treat in a small amount without seed. Apricots contain a lot of vitamins A and C, potassium, and lots of fiber, which are beneficial for ducks’ health. On the contrary, apricots also contain sugar, which can cause obesity in ducks if they overeat apricots.
If you want to treat your flock of ducks with apricots, stay with us! Let’s move forward and explore the facts of feeding apricots to ducks.
Table of Contents
Can Ducks Eat Apricots? Is It Safe For Them?
Yes, ducks can eat apricots, and they won’t deny eating them if you provide them to fulfill their balanced diet. So, offering ducks fresh apricots a trace amount is safe.
Apricots contain vitamins, protein, minerals, and dietary fiber, so they can be a healthy treat. These essential nutrients are amazing for the ducks’ growth. And apricots do not contain any type of compound that is toxic or harmful to ducks. So, if you think about the safety issues, yes, apricots are safe for ducks.
Now let’s dig a little more into the details concerning different parts of the nutritious snack fruit, apricot-
- Seed: The seed or pit of the apricots should not be fed to ducks. It’s important to remove the pits or seeds from the apricots before feeding them. The pits can be a choking hazard and should be avoided. However, a bigger concern is the cyanide content in the seeds. Apricots contain 122 to 4.09 mg/g of cyanide. And this can be toxic for your ducks.
- Skin: There is no problem with the skin. However, be sure to wash off the pesticides and all the chemicals of store-bought apricots.
- Leaves or Branches: It is not recommended to feed ducks apricot leaves or branches. Some plants, including apricot trees, can be toxic to ducks, and consuming them may lead to health problems or even death.
- Dried Apricots: There is no problem with it. But try to cut it into small enough pieces that it won’t cause any choking trouble. You can also hydrate it before serving. It will make it more manageable for them. Best if you can mash it. Mixing the mashed apricots with other fruits like bananas and raisins will be a pro move. And they’re gonna accept it as their favorite treat.
Can Ducklings Eat Apricots?
Ducklings shouldn’t be fed any type of food that contains tannin. And apricots contain tannin. This can cause digestive problems in ducklings as their digestive systems are not well developed. They can also interfere with iron absorption. So, ducklings shouldn’t be fed apricots.
4 Feeding Guidelines: How Can You Serve Apricots?
Here are some guidelines that you should follow while feeding apricots as a healthy snack for your ducks:
- Wash the apricots carefully to remove any chemicals.
- You should remove the seed before feeding.
- Cut the fresh fruit into small pieces.
- Mash the fruit if you want.
4 Notable Nutritional Benefits of Having Apricots
Before knowing the benefits, first, you need to know the nutritional contents of nutritious treats like apricots that you can add besides their primary food source.
Nutritional Contents of Apricots
Please check the nutritional content of apricots in the following table according to USDA.
| Nutrients | Amount (per 100 gm) |
|---|---|
| Water | 86.4 gm |
| Calories | 48 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 11.1 gm |
| Dietary Fiber | 2 gm |
| Sugar | 9.24 gm |
| Protein | 1.4 gm |
| Fat | 0.39 gm |
| Vitamin A | 96 mcg |
| Vitamin C | 10 mg |
| Vitamin K | 3.3 mcg |
| Folate | 9 mcg |
| Manganese | 0.077 mg |
| Potassium | 259 mg |
| Copper | 0.078 mg |
Now, let’s know about the health benefits that are offered by apricots.
1. Rich in Essential Vitamin A and Vitamin C
Ducks need 2% vitamin A from their daily intake. And vitamin A is one of the biggest deficiencies for ducks. Apricots are rich in Vitamin A along with Vitamin C. Let’s take a look at the necessity of Vitamin A and Vitamin C in ducks:
- A boost of vitamin A helps maintain the integrity of the mucous membranes and skin, which is essential for a healthy immune system.
- Vitamin A helps strong bone development in ducks.
- Vitamin C helps wound healing in ducks.
2. Providing Potassium and Fiber
According to Doug Korver, Ph.D., of the University of Alberta, Mineral deficiencies in poultry like ducks or possibly chickens are not uncommon. Apricots provide potassium and fiber to ducks. What is the necessity of these compounds in ducks? Let’s know:
- Potassium is necessary for nerve and muscle function.
- Potassium helps to maintain fluid balance.
- Fiber helps to digest food, so there will be no digestive issues.
3. Providing Sufficient Water Content
The flock of ducks requires a significant amount of fresh water to stay hydrated and maintain their overall health. We have already seen apricots are full of water content. So, apricots can be a good addition to keep the ducks hydrated.
4. Calcium Content For Eggshell And Bones
Calcium content in apricot can also benefit ducks as it ensures eggshell formation and healthy bones. Although a small amount, it contributes to ducks’ health.
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Precautions for Having Apricots | Not That Many!
Before giving a treat to your backyard ducks, you need to follow the things mentioned below:
- Remove the pits because they contain cyanide.
- Give such nutritious snacks a limited amount, as we have mentioned in the article.
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Can Apricot Be A Regular Diet? How Much to Feed?
Apricots provide some beneficial nutrients and health advantages for ducks. They can be a healthy addition to ducks’ diet but should not be fed regularly.
Regular consumption of fruits can affect your beloved bird’s stomach and cause diarrhea. Fresh fruits should be fed in moderation. And in the case of apricots, they can’t be a regular diet for ducks. As it has a high sugar content, they should not be fed more than a couple of times a week.
As a general rule of thumb, the treat shouldn’t be more than 10% of the regular diet. Ducks generally need 170 grams to 200 grams of food per day. So, you can give 17 gm to 20 gm of apricots a couple of times a week. What I mean is moderate amounts rather than larger amounts of apricots.
Tips: Never ever feed citrus fruits or nightshade family veggies to them as an alternative to apricots or other sweet fruits and vegetables. Not only such fruits but also citrus fruits and nightshade veggies are unhealthy and unsafe for the backyard and even for wild ducks.
Final Words
So, yes, you can feed apricots without seeds. You can treat your favorite ducks with your favorite food. But before this, you need to know if it is safe for your ducks or not. In the case of apricots, you can serve them to your ducks by following the precautions.
And don’t give them apricots daily. Treat your ducks with apricots occasionally for your mental satisfaction, and be happy!!
Sources & References:
- https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poultry/nutrition-and-management-poultry/vitamin-deficiencies-in-poultry
- https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/press/news/160427
