Can Ducks Eat Citrus Fruits? No, They Are Highly Acidic!

Can ducks eat citrus fruits? No, they can’t eat citrus fruit because such fruits restrict calcium absorption. Also, egg hatching and production get hampered, and eggshells become thin, which is a completely negative sign of ducks’ health. So, having tangy and refreshing flavors, ducks are totally insecure eating treats like citrus fruit.

You used to know fruits with pits and seeds are toxic for ducks due to cyanide compounds. But today, you’ll learn citrus fruits are also something to avoid when it comes to feeding backyard ducks.

Can Ducks Eat Citrus Fruits? 7 Most Acidic Fruits You Must Avoid!

A big no. As I said, citrus is highly acidic, and it surely harms the ducks. But a debating part I’ve discovered so far is people often consider citrus fruit and trees as a safe idea. However, among 40 to 50 citrus fruits, I picked the notable 7 citrus with high acidity levels.

It’s because when given in small amounts, ducks or chickens were nourishing and didn’t face any trouble. Well, it’s a rare case, as ducks do eat a lot and face calcium deficiencies because of acid reactions.

And you already know dietary calcium deficiency surely affects the eggshell quality as well as microarchitecture. The study comes from NCBI.

However, I found 7 notable citrus fruits that are totally unsafe (Most acidic) whether people prefer them or not. At least I would never feed my ducks such fruits as an occasional treat. Now, let me introduce the fruits you must overlook when providing waterfowl.

1. Grapefruit

The first toxic fruit ducks or ducklings won’t be comfortable with is grapefruit. Whether it’s seeds, leaves, peels, flesh, or trees, consuming grapefruit will make the duck suffer. 

What’s notably negative here is the risks of acidity. However, all the citrus fruits are to blame for the acids and chemical compounds.

2. Orange

When researching oranges in ducks’ diet, the levels of citric acid and ascorbic acid are quite high in this citrus fruit. So, how can it be a safe, nutritious treat for ducks? No clues!

But it seems confusing when you see people saying to feed oranges to your ducks. They say it because it contains vitamin C and other antioxidants that help boost ducks’ immunity and cell generation. And it’s actually true!

However, the acidic effect will blunder everything and make the duck sick over time, like having heartburn like humans, digestion problems, and diarrhea. I’ll give more difficulties in the potential risks section. And the same case when it’s about orange peels, flesh, or other parts of the fruit!

3. Lemon – Is It Safe For Ducks Diet?

Ducks are basically intolerant to strong, acidic fruits like lemons as well. Almost all citrus fruits have the same problem. It causes digestive trouble and discomfort in birds like backyard ducks. However, pick acid reflux and stomach pain as the massive difficulties!

But lemons have vitamin C, antioxidants, and flavonoids to benefit the duck’s overall health. Especially to boost immunity! So, a small amount won’t hurt them, and it’s in the case of other citrus.

But be aware that you can never keep them satisfied with a less safe amount. They’ll surely consume excessively and get sick.

Is your curious mind wondering if ducks can drink lemonade or can ducks have lemongrass? Well, avoid it! First of all, it’s the lemon, and second of all, the amount of sugar will definitely affect their health.

However, when considering lemon grass, although it’s grass not related to lemons, it just increases the duck’s weight. Don’t give it excessively!

4. Lime

You may wonder if lemons and limes are the same, right? Well, they are identical but not the same fruit. Lime is a bitter citrus that I also don’t recommend as a supplementary food for ducks, especially for baby ducks. Lime and other citrus fruits contain acids and limonene in lime rinds or lemon peels. 

Limonene is usually used for foods, cosmetics, or cleaning any sort of products. Although limonene is much higher in oranges (94.2), ducks should avoid lime with limonene (74.8).

Here, you’ll find some new studies like essential oil and limonene that potentially cause kidney or liver damage in ducks. However, avoid feeding lime to your poultry ducks.

5. Clementine

The flock of ducks gets happy when they see fruits as treats nearby. But citrus fruits like clementine are not to be cheerful about. Although we sometimes give a small quantity, overfeeding will cost even their lives!

Before that, they’ll have digestion problems and other difficulties. If untreated, you may lose your waterfowl. Whether it’s the wild ducks or domesticated ducks, citrus fruits can never be the same!

6. Tangerine

Leave it! Tangerines also disrupt ducks’ ability to absorb calcium, and they’ll have low eggshell and egg quality.

While researching, I found it contains essential oils and psoralens that are toxic for some animals, like cats and dogs. However, ducks are less likely to encounter psoralens. 

The trouble here is that such compounds have the effect of photosensitivity as well as irritation in the skin. It’s even for tangerine juice. However, the acidity is common in all the citrus fruits.

7. Mandarin

The last citrus I keep on the list of toxic fruits is mandarin. It’s not the duck; it’s an orange-like fruit. It’s not only bad for the citric acid but also tough to digest the peels. Why take a hassle when you have other delicious fruit options?

Don’t let the duck have digestion problems or calcium deficiencies. Instead, feed something that boosts their health! I’ll suggest the best fruits for your poultry ducks.

Here is a list of some citrus fruits with their acidity level (pH level*). This list will help you to recognize the fruits and their acidity level.

*Note: The lower the pH level, the higher the acidity.

Why Should You Avoid Citrus Fruit For Ducks? 5 Major Problems!

I have already given you hints about the problems ducks commonly face when they have citrus fruits. However, let’s clear the major problems that make citrus fruits toxic.

1. Highly Acidic

Citric acid is in citrus fruits, which can be significantly harmful when consumed in large quantities. The average pH level of citrus fruits ranges from 2.30 to 4, which means they are highly acidic. Ducks are sensitive here, and high acidity or acid reflux cause stomach ache.

2. Cause Digestion Problem

When ducks ingest citrus fruit with citric acid, they encounter gastrointestinal problems or digestion issues. It basically happens due to acid reflux and high sugar content.

3. Calcium Deficiency

Ducks need calcium to have strong bones and eggshells. Feeding citrus fruits to ducks can restrict the ducks from absorbing calcium. And it’s what causes brittle or thin eggshells, less egg production, or even bone issues.

While researching, I found citrus fruits have less calcium but high phosphorus that blocks calcium absorption. However, a small amount of such fruits won’t hurt, but the voraciousness in ducks makes them overeat. That’s why they encounter calcium deficiencies.

4. Egg Producing And Hatching Problem

I already said a short amount won’t be highly toxic for ducks, but excessive amounts will mess things up! I found egg production along with hatching problems are seen. It’s basically because of the lack of calcium-rich foods. You may notice fewer eggs and fertility problems.

However, ducks are gonna be okay if you offer them oyster shell grit specially formulated for ducks and calcium-rich foods like blackberries, kiwi, or figs. Hopefully, they’ll be back to the same egg production.

5. Nutritional Imbalance

Don’t let the duck eat citrus fruits too much, as it will surely cause nutritional imbalance. In fact, any sort of food becomes their habit when they have it regularly. 

As you know, ducks are omnivore creatures, so they don’t mind having a lot of citrus-acidic fruit. That’s why they ensure they have a variety of diets.

Does Citrus Fruits Carry Any Health Benefits For Ducks? A Few!

Although avoiding citrus fruits is better, only a small amount can sometimes benefit the ducks. Here are some of them!

• Vitamin C: Citrus fruits contain a high amount of vitamin C that supports the duck’s better immunity system.
• Fiber Intake: Fiber helps in ducks’ digestion, but the acids may interrupt proper digestion.
• Taste And Flavor: Ducks may love the sweet and sour taste of citrus fruits. However, some of them are uncomfortable and can have allergic reactions or sensitivities.

What To Feed Instead Of Citrus Fruits?

Instead of feeding citrus fruits, you can offer some other fruits with high nutrients, especially vitamin C. But obviously, provide them as an occasional treat. Here are the options:

• Berries
• Apples
• Kiwi
• Bananas
• Grapes
• Melons
• Plums
• Peaches

*Pro Tip: But be sure you offer such diets in moderation.

Recommended Reading: Fruits For Ducks

Final Verdict: Can Ducks Eat Citrus Fruits?

In short, ducks can’t eat citrus fruits and don’t feed them too. Although it carries some health benefits like offering vitamin C and fiber, it’s better to leave such fruits for high acidity. Ducks will have digestion problems and calcium deficiency, for sure.

So, all the citrus fruits I mentioned should be overlooked when it comes to feeding some healthy fruits as treats for ducks. If it’s for the poultry business, it’ll be a great loss as egg production and hatchability get hampered. But don’t mind if your neighbor feeds a little, as it won’t hurt them.

Sources And references:

• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26385336/
• https://poultrykeeper.com/digestive-system-problems/
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/lemon-peels