Can Ducks Eat Kiwi? Case Study on Duck’s Diet!
Can Ducks Eat Kiwi? Yes, you can feed kiwis to ducks. I won’t say it is a superfood. But it sure is a tasty treat having all the necessary nutrients. However, be aware of the sugar content. Always feed them the way we have recommended in this article.
I know you have a lot of questions arising. No worries we will take all these questions here. Just have a cup of coffee and keep on reading!
Table of Contents
Can Ducks Eat Kiwi? An Ideal Elaboration
Yes, wild ducks, pet ducks, or even backyard ducks can eat kiwis only if you feed this fruit in moderation. But ensure kiwi is considered as a treat for ducks, not the daily part of their balanced diet.
Look, ducks can eat almost every type of food. Furthermore, kiwi has an attractive appearance. So, why not give this fruit to ducks?
kiwis, in general, have a lot of water content. Besides, it contains carbohydrates and sugar. Carbohydrate provides energy to your duck and is good for the feathered friends overall. Anyway, you can’t ignore the amount of vitamin C and fiber. Each of the nutrients contributes to the duck’s well-being.
But, sugar is a concern when you feed kiwis to your ducks. We know that excessive Sugar consumption can cause some serious health issues like heart problems and obesity.
Can ducks eat kiwi skin?
It would have been a big trouble if kiwis couldn’t eat the skin. But you have no problem with that.
Do ducks eat kiwi leaves?
Yes! Kiwi leaves pose no harm to ducks. Instead, kiwi leaves are rich in vitamin C, so they can eat and it’s even beneficial for ducks.
Can ducks eat kiwi seeds?
Kiwi seeds are known to contain a little bit of omega-3 fats. This fat is essential and can be good for ducks. And it is quite unreal to think of separating the seeds. You won’t be wondering if ducks can eat bananas for their seeds.
Is Kiwi Juice Safe For Ducks?
Well, to be honest, ducks can drink kiwi juice when the fruit is ripe kiwis. Plus, don’t give them kiwis when it’s an unripe fruit. But I wouldn’t suggest it as it’s full of high sugar content that can cause diarrhea. Plus, the acidity is another fact to consider!
Don’t Add Kiwis to Your Ducks’ Regular Diet!
Research claims that 8% of a kiwi is sugar. But ducks actually don’t need any of it, let alone 8 grams in every 100 grams of kiwi. And let me remind you that a single kiwi is almost 100 grams.
Hence, do not consider giving kiwis to your ducks every day. Instead, take it as a healthy snack for the ducks. Twice a week can be preferred.
How many Kiwis to give my ducks? For a duck, it seems like ⅛ quarter of kiwi is more than enough for a day. Kiwis are comparatively heavy and can weigh around 4.4 ounces. Which is ¾ of a duck’s total daily feed!
However, my suggestion is to let the baby ducks eat such healthy options when they grow a little. During the growing age, commercial feed is much more needed.
Can Ducklings Eat Kiwis? Yes, Baby Ducks Love Kiwis!
Yes, ducklings or baby ducks can eat kiwi. In fact, they will love having some kiwis in their dinner. But consider it an occasional treat for the ducklings. Oh! One more thing, kiwis are also a source of potassium.
Excessive potassium consumption will bring various health issues like kidney problems. So, avoid giving it to baby ducks every day. Chop them into small pieces while serving them.
Related Reading: Persimmons For Ducks Diet
Nutritional Content in Kiwis for Ducks
Let’s take a look at the nutrition in raw Kiwis according to USDA Data.
| Nutrient | Amount ( per 100 gm) |
|---|---|
| Water | 83.1 g |
| Calories | 61 kcal |
| Protein | 1.14 g |
| Sugar | 8.99 g |
| Fat | 0.52 g |
| Carbohydrate | 14.7 g |
| Calcium | 34 mg |
| Vitamin C | 92.7 mg |
| Potassium | 312 mg |
This chart above might give you a clear view that kiwis are all good for ducks. It’s just sugar that can cause trouble for your ducks.
6 Major Health Benefits of Feeding Kiwis to Ducks
See, the thing is not that the kiwis alone will be so beneficial for ducks. But it can potentially contribute to the duck’s good health and mental well-being. Here’s how.
1. Hydration
Adult ducks, in general, require 1 liter of water every day. In a kiwi, more than 80% food content is water. Thats huge!
That means, if you feed them 100 grams of kiwi a day, it will cover around 8% of their daily water requirement. So, it surely helps ducks stay hydrated and offer overall health benefits to ducks.
2. Better Bone Health
Kiwis contain calcium. According to a study in Poultry Hub Australia, ducks require 1% calcium absorption in their everyday diet. Kiwis provide 34 mg of calcium which is more than 3% of the total calcium requirement of ducks.
Calcium ensures better bone growth. Baby ducks, especially, will benefit if they eat kiwis appropriately.
3. Immunity Booster
Kiwis are an excellent source of vitamin C, an essential nutrient that plays a crucial role in various bodily functions, including boosting the immune system, promoting collagen production, and protecting against oxidative damage. Ducks require vitamin C for overall health and well-being.
4. Protect Cells
Kiwis contain various antioxidants, including vitamin C and polyphenols, which help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. Antioxidants can contribute to overall health and longevity in ducks.
5. Potentially Prevents Various Health Issues
Kiwis also contain other food contents that are good for all types of ducks’ health.
Among the variety of fruits, Kiwi fruit also contains antioxidants. The duty of these antioxidants is to keep your ducks’ body free from radicals.
Vitamin C helps boost the immune system. It will make ducks less susceptible to illnesses and infections. So, a duck owner should not hesitate to add such type of snack for ducks as their part of regular diet.
6. Steady Weight
There is a good side to that high sugar content. If your duck gets too lean, you can treat him with some kiwis. It will be much better than other popular fruits and nuts. that are high in fat and carbohydrates.
Can Overeating Kiwis Carry Any Health Risks? Yes!
Well, overconsumption literally won’t kill ducks but causes health difficulties. But, it is less likely to happen that ducks overeat kiwis and die.
However, kiwis are rich in sugar. Excessively eating kiwis means too much sugar consumption. If sugar consumption is high, your ducks may face serious health consequences. For example, heart disease and obesity.
Also, kiwis have an acidity level of 3.1 – 3.96. This acidity may cause diarrhea, or stomach upset. In some cases, the digestion system can be blocked!
What Should I Do If My Ducks Overate Kiwi?
The first thing we should know is what are the symptoms of overeating. If they overeat kiwis, you may see the following symptoms
- Lack of interest
- Laziness
- Difficulty in standing ( for baby ducks )
- Struggling while swimming
- Difficulty in Flying
These are very fundamental symptoms. You may see some other symptoms or abnormalities as well. Notice your feathered friend’s behavior when feeding them kiwis. If they show any sign that they’re feeling uncomfortable, stop feeding them kiwis. Consider those behaviors as symptoms.
In this case, there’s nothing much you can do except to bring them to a veterinarian. Do it as soon as possible.
Related Readings:
How to Serve Kiwi to Ducks? 4 Steps to Follow!
Like other fresh fruit, kiwi serving is kind of the same for your ducks. Let’s have a look at the steps:
- Step 1: Collect fresh kiwi from the market.
- Step 2: Wash these fruits with clean water.
- Step 3: Now, chop the kiwis with a knife. 1/16 might be a good quarter. Mash it when giving it to baby ducks. You can skip it if you want. It will obviously make it easier for the ducks.
- Step 4: Now serve it on a bowl or a plate.
Recommended Reading: What Fruits Can Ducks Eat
How Often to Serve Kiwi to Ducks?
Kiwi should always be an occasional treat. A small piece of kiwi once a week or two should be enough.
To make you remember, keeping the delicious treat within 10% is an ideal practice. For a more accurate idea, veterinarians nearby can give you some suggestions about a balanced diet including kiwi.
Summary
Kiwis are cheap. If you want to give some kiwis to your ducks, it’s completely fine. I do not recommend considering it for everyday consumption because of its high sugar ratio. However, kiwis can contribute to your duck’s good health by providing water mainly. Plus, it is a good source of fiber, protein, and lipids.
Overall, consider it a healthy treat. Two times a week sounds perfect in that case. All you have to do is, just be cautious about the quantity. When they will have more variety in their diet, they will be happy, and their spontaneous move will make your time beautiful, even on a chaotic day!
