Can Ducks Eat Elderberries? Avoid The Upriped One!

Despite berries being the table topper of nutritional treats for ducks, elderberries aren’t. Because I found some queries related to elderberries that shouldn’t be overlooked, and guess what? It’s even toxic for humans!

So, it’s irrelevant to ask, can ducks eat elderberries? Yes, they can eat such berries, but ONLY the ripe ones. It’s particularly the trees, leaves, seeds, or twigs that contain toxic amygdalin, a cyanogenic compound. So, ensure they’re having the ripped elderberries occasionally.

It seems like you need more details about feeding elderberries. No worries, as you’ll have more information about elderberry as a duck’s part of the diet.

Can Ducks Eat Elderberries? Occasionally With Precautions!

As I said, ducks can eat elderberries, but with some restrictions. Restrictions mean you can only offer the ripe elderberry, but the rest of them are toxic. Also, ensure you’re offering it occasionally.

At least don’t let them eat like in the following video.

Ducks are good with fresh ripened elderberries, but if they consume leaves excessively, they’ll get ill quickly, not later. According to NCBI, American elderberries have Cyanogenic glycosides, and it’s uncertain. 

But there is something to note down! Intact CNGs are nontoxic, but endogenous plant enzymes can react with CNGs and release hydrogen cyanide (HCN), causing potential toxicity issues.

On the other hand, European Sambucus nigra can be the best when given as medicinal fruit. But that’s not the case with ducks. So, we suggest only the ripe form of elderberry.

Suggested study:

• Blueberries for ducks
• Do ducks eat strawberries

Nutritional Table: Elderberries As Ducks Healthy Treat

According to USDA, here is a nutritional table of elderberries I found. I hope it’ll help you understand the nutritional facts before feeding elderberries to ducks.

4 Health Benefit Of Elderberries For Ducks

If ducks have elderberries as a treat option, they’ll be good with a nutritional boost. The cluster of blackberries can attract your ducks, geese, chickens, or small migrants such as blackcaps, warblers, or whitethroats. 

They basically consume some while foraging. But how does it benefit their overall health, particularly the ducks?

1. Vitamins and Minerals

Elderberries contain vitamins and minerals to boost overall health. Notably, the immunity system gets better when ducks have some from the garden.

2. Antioxidants

Giving some elderberries to ducks can ensure they’re safe from oxidative distress. Here, the anti-inflammatory effect is also shown. 

Besides, chronic diseases can be prevented, and an immunity boost is confirmed when they get such healthy treats. ScienceDirect says Nonghua ducks’ immune functions, carcass traits, and antioxidant capacity get promoted.

3. Respiratory Fact

Ducks can enjoy some elderberries to reduce respiratory issues. It’s possible as mild mucolytic properties are active.

4. Proper Digestion

Digestion problems or gastrointestinal discomfort are common in ducks. And you can alleviate it when you feed some elderberries occasionally. It happens as the berry family contains fiber intake, although a little in amount but beneficial.

4 Potential Risks Of Elderberries For Ducks

Now, you have some beneficial facts if ducks eat some elderberries. But as I said, some risks and toxicity there mean something you must be careful of. Let’s talk about the potential risks when ducks overeat elderberries.

1. Cyanogenic Glycosides

I’ve been saying from the beginning elderberries carry cyanide compounds in their leaves and seeds (Almost all the seeds have it). You’ll find more or less 3 mg cyanide per 100 grams of unripe berries. So, it’ll surely make the duck suffer when it’s unripe berries.

The problem arises when ducks consume a significant amount. However, fermented or cooked forms can neutralize such toxic elements.

But you may wonder if wild ducks eat elderberries, right? Well, wild ducks have no problem with raw berries as they’ve got stronger immunity than domesticated ducks. Besides that, they can take environmental stressors, pathogens, or parasites much better than backyard ducks.

2. Digestion Trouble

Elderberries can sometimes cause digestive problems. It leads to gastrointestinal uncomfortable conditions or diarrhea. Small amounts in case they consume by themselves. When you provide, ensure you offer a healthy treat only a small amount.

3. Allergic Reaction

Some ducks can have allergic reactions or sensitivities when they consume such fruits. It’s better when you know about their sensitivity.

4. Nutritional Imbalance

While ducks get a chance to forage a lot near the elderberry tree, ensure they’re not having it too much. Offer them other daily nutrition so that they won’t have to go for such fruits.

Do Ducklings Eat Elderberries? I Don’t Recommend it!

Ducklings will eat berries with their omnivore nature, but they shouldn’t eat. It is my personal perspective, as they won’t have ripe elderberries without cyanide compounds in the garden.

Look, you know adult ducks get sick when they consume elderberries from the garden. So, will the duckling survive? Definitely not!

Let them have diets including starter feed, plants, or insects. I would say the starter feed would be enough to give as they require protein and niacin the most. And starter or grower feed includes 18%-20% protein.

How To Feed Elderberries To Ducks?

With understanding the risk of elderberries as a duck diet, you must be aware just before feeding some. So, if you prefer to feed elderberries to them, a moderate amount of ripe berries is what I suggest.

As I said, cooked or fermented forms would be best, so keep it in mind. And you can serve it in a designated feeding place or near the water sources. Or if you like to feed some in the ground, make sure they have the berries that already lose the toxicity. For example, removing leaves and stems.

Should You Really Feed Elderberries With Toxicity?

Here comes the turning point that you shouldn’t feed elderberries, whether it’s ducks or ducklings. When you prefer to, you can go for it, but it’s unhealthy and toxic for their health.

If you Google it, various sites are saying it’s good to feed elderberries. But here, I included the clarification that you can feed but why you shouldn’t.

So, next time you see them eating some from the ground, ensure you take them to the vet or avian experts. It’s crucial because of the toxicity in such berries.

Recommended Article: Berries in Duck’s Diet

FAQs

Here, you’ll find some answers to the queries that people may ask out of curiosity.

Final Words

Overall, ducks are gonna have fun with elderberries while consuming some ripe ones, but they never know about the risks of cyanide compounds. They’ll have it from the ground and will surely get sick. But it doesn’t mean you cannot feed them. It’s your decision to feed some but offer in moderation and, of course, as an occasional treat.

However, ducklings should never try even a small amount. If you expect to feed some, ensure you check the benefits and potential risks just before offering. Plus, be available when they’re near the garden for any food sources. They don’t care how much they’re taking.

Sources And References:

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7961730/
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1751731121000410
• https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/elderberry#risks-and-side-effects
• https://ohio4h.org/sites/ohio4h/files/imce/animal_science/Poultry/Feeding%20Ducks%20Intended%20for%20Consumption%20-%20eXtension.pdf