Ducks are natural foragers. Hay is just the dried version of grass. Since they eat grass while foraging, do they eat hay as well?
Can ducks eat hay? Yes, ducks do eat hay. It comes with key nutrients like fiber, protein, and water for your ducks. However, it’s not necessary for them to intake hay every day. Let them chew on it whenever they find it.
Hay is not so different from grass for ducks. So, there’s nothing significant to tell if you already know about ducks and their appetite for grass. However, keep reading to find out 4 best hay for ducks!
Table of Contents
Can Ducks Eat Hay? No Problems At All
Ducks can eat hay. Hay is kinda nutritious for them. So, I do not see any problems if they eat some while foraging, or even if you give them some.
Is Hay Safe for Ducks? Absolutely Yes!
Yes, Hay is safe. Just be sure about the size. Chop them into small portions while giving them to the ducks. Hay is packed with fiber, which helps ducks to digest stuff smoothly. Plus hay comes with a lot of minerals, which keeps your duck hydrated.
So, yes hay is safe for ducks, indeed.
Can Hay be A Part of Everyday Diet? Let Them Find It While Foraging
Ducks can eat hay every day, no problem with that. But please do not make it the main source of food. Ducks are omnivores. They do not have any particular choices. So whatever you give them, they’ll eat it.
They may find hay here and there while foraging. It’s best if they find it themselves and eat it. Doing so will boost their foraging behavior and keep their natural instinct alive.
So, think it like that, whether or not your ducks will eat hay every day, it’s up to them. If they find it, they will eat it. If they won’t, nothing to worry about.
Can Baby Ducks Eat Hay? Yes, But in Chopped Way
Yes. baby ducks can eat hay. Hay isn’t a wrong choice for them. But consider it as a treat for them only. Do not give hay to them every day. In addition, cut the hay into small pieces while giving it to your ducklings. Otherwise, choking trouble may arise.
Do Ducks Eat All Kinds of Hay? 4 Best Hay For Them
See, any dried grass is actually hay. To be precise, dried grass that is used as animal feed is hay. What kind of Hay ducks eat? The four most common hay are:
- Alfalfa Hay
- Timothy Hay
- Orchard Hay
- Bermuda Grass hay
Let’s know if ducks can eat all of the hay mentioned above. If they can, why and how can they? Let’s dive.
1. Alfalfa Hay (Edible And Safe)
Alfalfa hay is a good choice for ducks. It’s a great nutritional package with protein, calcium, and fiber. Its digestibility makes it an excellent choice for pregnant ducks.
Moreover, Alfalfa hay comes up with plenty of vitamins like A, D, and E. Overall, feeding your ducks alfalfa hay is a good option because it provides a variety of essential nutrients and health advantages.
2. Timothy Hay (Edible And Safe)
Timothy Hay is a smart choice for ducks. It aids digestion with its natural fiber content. It keeps their beaks healthy through chewing and helps prevent obesity by managing weight. The incredible balance between the nutrients it provides makes it an excellent choice for ducks.
3. Orchard Hay (Edible And Safe)
Orchard hay, like the other hay, is a wholesome blend of fiber that aids digestion. Its mix of soft leaves encourages foraging behaviors. On top of that, according to a group of researchers, if a bird isn’t grinding its beak properly, it may be overgrown. While chewing hay, ducks have to grind their beak heavily.
So, Orchards and other hay potentially contribute to preventing beak overgrowth. So, yes, no problem with orchard hay as well.
4. Bermuda Grass Hay (Edible And Safe)
Bermuda Hay is a common find for horses in the south of the US. However, this isn’t only for horses especially. Ducks and geese can also consume this while foraging.
According to the Natural Resources Conservation Center in the US, Bermuda grass has foraging value for avians, but the area must be open and sunny.
Related Reads:
How to Feed Hay to My Ducks?
Knowing how to feed hay to ducks is essential. But what is equally important is to know how often, and how much to give.
How Much is An Ideal Quantity?
This is not specific. This is because different duck species may have different amounts of intake. So, as per their diet, hay consumption and how much they will eat may vary. Do not believe what you find online. There is plenty of misinformation and things that may misguide you.
My suggestion is to contact an experienced vet. They will suggest to you how much hay is alright for your feathered buddies.
How Often Should I Give Them Hay?
There’s no such study that specifies this matter as well. But, since it is suggested to see it as a treat, it is not every day that you give them hay. When We talk about something that is a treat to ducks, it is usually on a weekly basis.
So, on that consideration, once a week should be the answer. But I think feeding them hay more often isn’t a bad idea. Twice or thrice a week won’t do any harm.
Recommended Reading: A Detailed Study on Ducks Herbs Diet
Feeding Approach
Actually, there are no bindings on serving hay to ducks. You may just let them forage, and they will find and eat it themselves. Here’s a proof:
However, chopping it while giving it to your ducks is what I prefer. Hay is dry, and the absence of water by any chance, may cause them dehydration. Plus, there’s a high possibility that your ducks may choke while ingesting.
When giving it to ducklings, it’s a must to chop it well and then serve it on a plate. Please do not forget to keep water available around.
Conclusion
In summary, hay can absolutely be a part of a duck’s diet. Ducks naturally forage and will eat grass, so hay is not much different. These provide fiber, and nutrients, and help grind down beaks. Hay should be considered a treat – serve a small amount 1-3 times per week.
Chop hay into bite-size pieces before feeding and provide plenty of fresh water. While not a primary food source, hay can supplement a balanced diet and allow ducks to exhibit natural foraging behaviors.
Sources And References:
- https://www.birdexoticsvet.com.au/factsheets/2020/6/6/birds-with-overgrown-upper-beaks
- https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/plantmaterials/wvpmcpg7038.pdf
