Can Ducks Eat Kale? Yes, It’s Healthy and Nutritious!
Did you know ducks can also benefit from eating Kale? But you are concerned if it can harm the ducks!
So, can ducks eat Kale? Yes! Ducks eat Kale both cooked and raw. However, raw kale is healthier for them. You may also feed them Kale leaves and stems. Plentiful in multivitamins, magnesium, calcium, potassium, sodium, and phosphorus, Kale helps ducks lay healthy eggs, strengthens their body and heart, boosts their immunity, and improves their vision.
Not only can ducks eat Kale, but they’re also quite fond of it! Read on to learn about this super treat for your feathered friends!
Table of Contents
Can Ducks Eat Kale? Here’s Why Your Duck Should Eat Kale!
Kale is a leafy green vegetable that has a high concentration of nutrients. It can be a great source of fiber, Vitamins A, C & K, as well as other minerals like Calcium, Iron & Potassium. In addition, Kale is a fantastic source of antioxidants – that help protect the duck from damage occurring from free radicals.
Studies show us that ducks that regularly consume Kale are much healthier in contrast to ducks that don’t.
However, Raw Kale contains up to 84% water content. It should be fed to the ducks in moderation. Because overconsumption may lead to diarrhea or leave them feeling bloated. Incorporating Oats into their diet can help fix this imbalance.
Here’s a nutritional chart that shows us the nutrient levels of Kale. The data is provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Don’t throw out the leaves and stems of Kale, as this too, is high in nutritional value. Just chop it into tiny pieces and feed ‘em. However, make sure you understand that Kale isn’t a standalone/regular diet food; and while it can definitely add to a healthy diet routine, it shouldn’t be fed to the ducks more than 2-3 times a week. Try to offer your duck a balanced diet for overall health.
Now let’s have a look at how Kale plays on your duck’s health.
Kale’s 4 Health Benefits for Ducks
Earlier, we got to know about the high nutrient value of Kale, now let’s dive into the health benefits of Kale for ducks.
1. Good Heart Condition
Just like in humans, Kale helps moderate cholesterol and blood pressure in ducks. Potassium keeps a tab on ion exchange and blood flow – retaining great heart health.
Kale is rich in sodium ions, which aid in regulating blood circulation. Laced with Potassium and Sodium – Kale makes sure your ducks have a very healthy heart!
2. Improves Immunity
Did you know that ducks can’t produce Vitamin C in their bodies? They get it from external sources.
Kale is plentiful in Vitamin C and helps ensure great immunity for ducks, while also making sure they are able to lay healthy eggs.
3. Enhances Vision
It’s surprising to know that ducks can see all colors and their eyes can rotate up to 340 degrees! They can also identify objects both near and far, at the same time.
To make sure that their eyesight remains on top of the grid, they need Vitamin A in their diets – which is plentiful in Kale.
So, don’t forget to feed your duck Kale for supersight!
4. Resilient Bones And Eggshells
Ducks suffering from Calcium deficiency can lay eggs with thin shells – that are easily breakable and brittle. In addition, thin eggshells make way for bacteria to penetrate the insides of the eggs, causing sterilization.
Feed Kale to your ducks, as the rich mixture of Calcium and Phosphorus helps them develop healthier bones and sturdier eggshells.
Here are some common questions that you may have.
Related Reads:
How Can You Feed Ducks Kale
Ducks can eat both cooked and Raw Kale. Raw Kale tends to be stiff, so it’s advisable to loosen it up and remove the leaves from the stems. You can then cut it into small pieces and feed it to your ducks.
You can also offer them cooked Kale but make sure not to add any spices. If you’re sauteeing the Kale, avoid oil and butter.
The best way to cook Kale is by steaming it for 3 to 5 minutes. Make sure the Kale is well chopped before steaming. Save the water for later as it can be used as vegetable broth.
However, Raw Kale is definitely the way to go, as it has more nutritional value and can benefit your ducks the most.
Here are some other ways you can feed Kale to Ducks.
- Smoothies
- Mixed with Mashed Potatoes
- Salad
- Soup
Do Baby Ducks Eat Kale?
Ducklings can be fed small amounts of Kale once they turn four weeks of age. Start off with Kale once per week. You could also use kale powder in their meals. You can start with 1 scoop per 5 ducklings and build from there.
Can Ducks Eat Frozen Kale?
Yes, you can, but make sure to defrost it first. Try to cut, prepare, and freeze Kale once a week to save time when it comes to preparing their daily feed.
What About Moldy/Withered Kale? Nope!
Never feed moldy Kale or for that matter, any moldy food to your animals, because Mold is toxic and can end up killing your loved ones.
As far as withered Kale is concerned, you can cut off the withered parts and feed the rest to the duck. Black residues indicate mold, while white discoloration of the leaves indicates mildew.
Can Ducks Eat Canned Kale? Only Kale!
As long as there’s nothing added to Kale greens, ducks can have it.
However, most canned Kale greens come packed with sugar, salt & other preservatives, and sometimes even seasoned. So be extra careful that you’re only offering ducks Canned Kale that has solely Kale and Water in it.
What Type of Kale Do Ducks Prefer?
Although Kales come in many types, you should stick to a specific few strains when it comes to feeding your duck.
Here’s a list of Kale that you can feed your duck.
Recommended Reading: Do Ducks Eat Vegetables
Final Discussion
While Kale is a great food for your ducks, it is not a standalone diet. Ducks need a well-balanced diet that consists of vegetables, protein, a mix of grains, and other nutrients. Also make sure your ducks stay hydrated, as this can greatly improve the duck’s overall health.
Brimming with micro and macronutrients, Kale is a must-have for your duck buddies. Just make sure you don’t overfeed them, and remember to balance it up with other food.
Source & References:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9021919/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537111/
