Can Ducks Eat Blackberries? They Love It!

Ducks are fond of all kinds of berries. And blackberries are no different. Just don’t give them the whole thing if your duck is small but the berries are large. There is not even the risk of overfeeding.

However, Can ducks eat blackberries? Of course! Ducks can eat it. In fact, if you serve them blackberries they will go crazy! But please be cautious as it contains a little bit of sugar. However, if you feed them in proper quantity, it won’t do any harm to your ducks. 

But here’s not the end. We shall see both sides of the coin, like the benefits and risks of ducks eating blackberries. Just keep on reading and you will find the answer to all your questions.

Can Ducks Eat Blackberries? Absolutely Yes!

Ducks can eat blackberries. That’s all about the question stated in the title. 

However, do ducks like it? Yes! Ducks do like it. I have said earlier, that they will go crazy if you serve them blackberries. Although ducks are not choosy about picking food, still I will say ducks do like it. 

Blackberries have a different appeal for their appearance especially.  Who won’t be a fan of a fruit that has both beauty and taste? 

But, wise people say, keeping things moderate is best in any circumstance, for any situation. The same quote goes for the ducks. It really doesn’t matter how nutritious a fruit is, don’t overfeed ducks as it contains components that can bother health. Just how sugars in blackberries can assist in different health issues for ducks. 

So, don’t just give them as much as you can because they love it. It may pose health risks.

Are Blackberries Well Fitted for Duck’s Daily Diet? Nope!

No. You may feed them blackberries daily, but you should not do this. Let’s see what’s the matter here.

Blackberries are rich in good food content. The nutritional significance makes it a good pick for ducks. But since it also contains sugar, you should be cautious. 

Another thing is blackberries are expensive. If you have some alternative fruits as tasty treats, but cheaper than blackberries, why would you pick them for duck’s daily diet?

Anyway, let’s compare four of the famous berry fruit expenses and find a verdict. 

Fruit	Price (Per lb)
Blueberries	1.49 $
Strawberries	2.65 $
Blackberries	5.66 $
Raspberries	3.42 $

See, Blackberries are the priciest of all the above-mentioned fruits. Blueberries and strawberries are the cheapest, we can say, right? 

Now, my point is, if you want to give delicious fruits to your ducks, why not strawberries and Blueberries?

So, all in all, I wouldn’t say you can’t give them blackberries. But you have to be a little cautious about the ideal quantity then. 

Handpicked Reading Recommendation: Berries in Ducks Diet

Can Ducklings Eat Blackberries? You bet!

Yes, of course! Ducklings can eat blackberries. But, the same thing here! Keep the amount moderate.

Oh yes, mash the blackberries when you give them to baby ducks. Doing it will help them digest it easily. And you should also give them a small amount or mix it with other food items. You don’t want to get them high on sugar.

How Often Should I Give Blackberries to My Ducks?

First, let me clear it up, I’m not against giving blackberries more than occasionally to your birds. I just think we have cheap alternatives and they are nutritious too. So, we can give them those fruits too.

Anyway, I think thrice a week sounds good. Your ducks absolutely love it. So, give them a one-day break. In that case, the price may not bother you.  Once every week won’t be so cruel either.  However, It’s up to you.

How Much is the Ideal Quantity?

It is difficult to explain in short as the size and weight may vary. Let’s have a rough estimation.

Suppose, if a blackberry weighs 0.3 ounces. Then 2 blackberries might be given to a duck. It will fulfill the fruit requirement. 

But, please be very specific about the amount. Remember, your duck’s daily diet doesn’t require any sugar. So, if your ducks eat blackberries recklessly, they’ll face serious health consequences. 

Related Resources about other Berries types:

• Can ducks eat blueberries
• Do ducks eat cranberries
• Can you feed ducks strawberries
• Feeding mulberries to ducks

How Does Ideal Quantity Help Ducks?

Blackberries, to me, are a lucky charm for the ducks. It contains so many good things which help ducks in various ways. Let’s see how it benefits ducks. 

Prevents Dehydration

Research says, more than 88% of blackberries are water. We know water contents are very beneficial for ducks, to ensure proper hydration. A duck usually requires one liter of water every day. 

So, giving them fruits like blackberries helps them to balance their water consumption, and prevents dehydration.

Smoothen Digestion

The fiber in Blackberries helps ducks to smoothen their digestion process. Fiber aids ducks in easy digestion by promoting healthy gut function. And this eventually improves overall digestive efficiency.

Helps in Growing Fast and Reproduction

The other additional nutrients will help your ducks in so many ways. The protein in blackberries is particularly good for your ducklings to grow faster. Plus blackberries contain fat, carbohydrate, glucose, and fructose.  These nutrients boost the growing ratio and energy intake. 

Healthy intake usually will work for your ducks’ mental well-being. As a result, they will stay stress-free, and this potentially helps them reproduce well.

Key Nutritions of Blackberries: Verdict Analysis

Let’s have a quick walk through the key nutrients that blackberries provide for ducks.

Nutrient	Amount ( per 100 gm)	Verdict
Water	88.2 g	Good Enough
Calories	43 kcal	Low
Protein	1.39 g	Low
Sugar	4.88 g	Moderate
Fat	0.49 g	Low
Fatty Acids	0,014 g	Low
Carbohydrate	13.7 g	High
Calcium	29 mg	Low
Vitamin C	21 mg	Low

What did you see here? Blackberries are high in water? Alright. What else did you see? Don’t you see the other nutrients are low in blackberries? But, on the other hand, the sugar in blackberries is comparatively high. 

Basically, Blackberry isn’t providing a lot of nutrients except for water. On top of that, it contains sugar, which can pose health problems. This is why I think blackberries should not be in your duck’s everyday diet. 

What If My Ducks Overeat Blackberries? No Biggie!

You may see a lot of resources online claiming that, overeating blackberries can cause various health issues to ducks. But I will tell you to be practical! 

Blackberries won’t do much harm to your ducks if overfed occasionally. Like you are giving them blackberries twice a week.  Now you gave them 5 blackberries, instead of 3. It won’t do any immediate harm. But please, be cautious the next time. 

If you do it continuously, then your ducks may face health consequences. It is a high-carb fruit. Overconsumption of carbohydrates may cause them to suffer from heart problems. Also, sugar and carbohydrate consumption excessively may lead to overweight, and obesity. 

So, maintain proper serving methods, and don’t feed them recklessly.

How to Serve Blackberries to Ducks?

Following a proper serving approach will help you ensure the ideal quantity. So, if you don’t want to make a blunder, follow an appropriate approach. The steps below can be followed:

• Step 1: Take some fresh blackberries from the market. Make sure the seller is providing fresh vegetables and fruits.
• Step 2: Cut it into a few small pieces. ¼ quarter can be good pieces for the ducks.
• Step 3: Now, wash the quarters. Make sure there are no dirt, or insects left in the chopped pieces.
• Step 4: Serve it in a bowl, or on a plate. You may mix some water with this.

FAQs

Not the time to go away yet! Have your eyes on the questions below. 

Summarize the Study

I hope my study covers all of the questions regarding Can Ducks Eat Blackberries. Ducks can eat blackberries but don’t give it to them every day. It is comparatively low in the essential food contents that ducks require to be strong or grow faster.

So, consider it a healthy treat. And yes, don’t forget to mash it while giving it to baby ducks. 

All in all, your ducks require a proper diet and blackberries can be a good option here. But, since it is expensive, buy some other berry fruits that are blackberry substitutes. Keep them in the world of taste varieties, and ensure your duck friends are happy and healthy!

Source & References:

• https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23108181-pet-ducks-keeping-ducks-as-pets-owner-s-manual-ducks-behavior-care-h