Can Ducks Eat Basil? They Rejoice In Such Herbs!

Basil is the common growing royal herb in the garden and a favorite herb for backyard birds. What about ducks?

Can ducks eat basil, actually? Definitely, ducks can eat fresh basil moderately as a healthy treat. Amazingly, it’s used to make medicines for humans and ducks. Notably, because of its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, ducks won’t have to face digestive issues. Besides, it works to repel bugs, rodents, or pests from the duck’s coop.

As you like to feed basil to your ducks, prepare with a few precautions. And I will introduce the feeding tips and mention the safest types of basil you should feed.

Can Ducks Eat Basil? Is Basil Good For Ducks?

Without any doubt, both backyard and wild ducks can eat basil, and it’s completely safe for them. It’s even safe for chickens and geese. These leafy greens are a nutritious treat for ducks and aren’t a fatty food either. So, you’re good to grow some for feeding them. 

If you check the nutritional facts of basil leaves, you’ll understand why such herbs can be good for your feathered friend and their healthy diet. Basil leaves have:

• A wide variety of essential minerals
• Vitamins
• Calcium
• Fiber
• Carbohydrate.

Notably, I just love the way basil leaves reduce oxidative stress, and depression and even fight inflammation. However, while feeding such mint family herbs, you can let them eat in the garden or feed them by chopping them. Splendid idea!

But there is a problem! Ducks are omnivores, and they don’t care about any food sources. They eat like stupid. It’s sad but true! Actually, basil can be safe, but I think their independent eating activities are quite risky and cause health issues.

At that time, you need to be an observer in the field. Like watching how they eat and how much they swallow. Here is a video to give a clear insight.

Do Ducks Like Basil? Yeap!

If they hate basil, they won’t show interest in it. And my experience was that they would love the aromatic properties and mild flavor of such herbs. And you may know ducks are opportunist eaters so they don’t care about the herbs they find during the foraging time.

However, if you want to feed, introduce such leaves gradually. For example, you can grow herbs in the garden and when it’s time, let them roam around to swallow some. Besides, you may also grow oregano or mint herbs for backyard ducks. They would love to take the taste as well.

Feeding Baby Ducks: Can Ducklings Eat Basil?

My response is to feed them such herbs when they become an adult. Baby ducks and baby chickens are quite sensitive to swallowing basil leaves so easily. 

So, introduce basil when they grow a little and start to eat solid foods. And think about their developing digestion system.

One more thing! Ducklings may visit the garden to eat herbs or leaves. Ensure there are no toxic herbs like honeysuckle, pokeweed, ivy, or nightshades. They can even kill the duck!

12 Form And Type Of Basil: What’s Good For Ducks?

According to the researchers, it’s confirmed that fresh herbs are the safest form for ducks. So, you can safely feed fresh leaves of basil. Other than that, let’s see what’s good and bad about basil types and forms.

1. Basil Seeds: I didn’t find any toxicity in basil, so the seeds will be safe for your avians. But give a decent quantity since seeds make swallowing and digestion tougher.
2. Cooked Basil: Cooked basil potentially loses its actual flavor and nutritional content. Ducks can consume cooked form, but I always prefer fresh foods like Basil to give them a bright, intense flavor.
3. Dried Basil: Giving dried basil a small quantity is safe! But I don’t personally prefer this.
4. Chopped Or Shredded: It’s a perfect idea! Adult ducks or even ducklings are comfortable when you give chopped or shredded basil.
5. Basil Flowers: If you want to attract the hummingbird, basil flowers can be a wise herb in the garden. But for ducks, it’s good for them to eat as well alongside the attraction.
6. Infused Water: Yes! Ducks would love to try the fresh basil’s subtle flavor. It gives proper hydration to them. In fact, the basil is an excellent source of hydration.
7. Frozen Basil: Basil is a safe and popular herb, so basil leaves in ice cubes won’t be bad, particularly during hot summer days.  It will give your duck sensory stimulation along with a nutritional boost.
8. Holy Basil: Holy basil is actually the herb we know as Tulsi. It’s an Ayurvedic medicine, so your ducks will get magical benefits from it. But feed it a decent amount only.
9. Thai Basil: Let the duck eat some Thai basil with licorice flavor. They’ll enjoy such types of herbs.
10. Cinnamon Basil: Give it to them but a little! It’s a warm and slightly flavored herb. So, excessive feeding might upset them.
11. Sweet Basil: It’s a culinary herb that can be delightful for the waterfowl. The mild flavor is quite relaxing for them.
12. Lemon Basil: I think citrus flavor can be unsafe for your ducks. And in lemon basil, your ducks will have a citrus flavor. So, avoid it.

Nutrition In Basil: What Are The Notable Properties?

So, as you are growing or have decided to feed some basil leaves to ducks, look at fresh basil’s nutritional value from USDA.

Related Reads:

• Can Ducks Eat Parsley
• Can Ducks Eat Rosemary
• Can Ducks Eat Thyme

5 Nutritional Benefits For Ducks: What Is Good About Basil Leaves?

When I was researching, I found basil as a supplement can make a big contribution to ducks’ health. Notably, for medicinal purposes, ducks’ health gets a big boost! So, I think I should bring the goods in front of you.

1. Immunity System Booster

As I said earlier, basil has essential vitamins and minerals, especially vitamins, calcium, and iron. Such nutrients are the boosters of the immune function. The antioxidants also prevent cellular damage from free radicals. The ideal amount of calcium absorption will ensure better bone strength for your beloved birds as well.

You can give holy basil containing phytonutrients like antioxidants, flavanol, and Eugenol and Rosmarinus acid. Here, basil extract has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties. And they are the contributor that helps to reduce stress, joint pain, and plasma glucose levels.

2. Stress Reliever

Basil leaves have a fresh aromatic flavor that’s gonna give a relaxing time in their body. There is a floral aroma called linalool in basil herb. 

Such a component is responsible for relaxing and calming the stress hormone like Corticosterone. So, basil leaves can improve the duck’s physiological response while they are under stress.

3. Healthy Body And Blood Clotting

Basil is a great source of vitamins such as vitamin A and Vitamin K. Vitamin K in basil will aid in bone health and blood clotting. Besides, vitamin A plays a role in keeping the skin and eyesight better.

4. Digestion Health

Feeding fresh basil leaves is a way to keep the duck’s digestion running properly. It’s an essential oil that gives mild digestion and helps to relieve constipation.

5. Productive Performance 

The study of NCBL says basil, thyme, and sage in broiler ducks’ diet is quite noticeable. It ensures increased productivity, an immunity system, and proper digestibility. So, your duck’s egg production, as well as other developments, will be improved for sure.

Insects Remover

Surprisingly, basil leaves near the duck’s coop won’t let the pest, bugs, or rodents stay because they hate the scent!

What Is Bad About Basil Herb? Take A Look!

I think ducks won’t have any severe issues if they consume basil leaves. But still, you need to be careful parents who can see the potential danger of feeding basil.

Overfeeding Is Wrong 

If you let the duck eat basil leaves excessively, your wrong feeding may cause digestion trouble. It happens for the aromatic herb compound and essential oils, which is not safe when it’s taken excessively.

Pesticides Are Bad 

You may use pesticides in the herb garden, which is a problem. It’s because ducks may have it while foraging for food in the garden especially when they are consuming herbs like basil. 

You may not know pesticides are toxic for basil plants or even for humans who consume them. So, avoid using pesticides. 

However, an interesting fact is taken from CBC Kids News. In South American Vineyard, they use runner duck to work instead of chemical sprays for pest control. Here is a video you must see!

Can You Feed Basil To Ducks? Of Course!

Ducks can simply eat basil leaves from the garden or even in the wild by taking from the plant. But when it comes to feeding the basil to them, take a small preparation and go for it.

How Much To Feed

Although it may vary from size to size and age to age of ducks, start with a small portion, like one or two leaves for each duck. I would say don’t give it more than two times a week because it’s not their primary and regular food source, such as duck feed. However, for wild ducks their diet may vary depending on the availability of food.

Always remember ducks have a varied diet, and they need other variety of food sources that keep them in a steady state of health. For example, vegetables and fruits (except for citrus fruits) are good sources of vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients. Do not forget to provide them with fresh water.

How To Feed

Feeding tips are quite simple! I already gave you some of the ideas and now sharing in a step by step tips.

• Wash The Basil: Wash the basil leaves thoroughly to remove pesticides or other contaminants.
• Chop It: Properly chopping is more comfortable for ducks to consume and digest.
• You Can Mix: You can feed the fresh form or even mix it with their regular diet. You may mix these leafy greens with drinking water as well.
• Observe How They Eat: While feeding such herbs, monitor them for any adverse effects. Some may like it, or some may not.
• Moderation Is Key: Only small amounts of Basil are enough to nourish their health.
• Vet Suggestion: You can take any vet or avian experts’ tips for feeding. However, they’ll suggest the same as me.

FAQs

I thought to come up with some frequently asked questions. Have a look!

Reading Recommendation: Herbs as a gold for Ducks

Conclusion: Can Ducks Eat Basil?

Of course, ducks love the distinctive flavor of basil leaves while giving them a fresh one. I personally suggest fresh herbs to let them have the exact nutrients. What’s lovelier is the job of basil leaves as a medicine for ducks. So, any form of basil you have is safe except for the lemon basil due to the citrus in it.

While feeding, be a good observer or the parents who only feed a small portion of herbs. It is even better when you prioritize the primary food source for their development because herbs are occasional treats, not a main source of nutrition.

Sources And References:

• https://www.cbc.ca/kidsnews/post/watch-forget-pesticides-this-south-african-vineyard-has-an-army-of-ducks