Can Ducks Eat Lentils? Checking the Edibility of 8 Different Lentils!

Will feeding lentils to ducks will be a nourishment for them? Just like the way it can cover more than 30% of daily fiber requirement?

Can ducks eat lentils? Unfortunately, no. The uncooked form of lentils has a protein called lectin, which is an anti-nutrient! However, consuming cooked lentils as an occasional treat is a good idea. Cooking removes anti-nutrient properties with high heat, so ducks are out of harm’s way!

Feeding lentils can be a little bit concerning part so you need to know the precautions. And you’ll have it here!

Can Ducks Eat Lentils? Essential Facts Before Feeding!

I am not saying lentils are totally prohibited. I just said the uncooked one doesn’t deserve to be on the list of the backyard’s diet. However, a small amount of lentils can take place when it’s a cooked and soft form. Take a look at the video. It’s a video of ducks eating lentils along with rice. So, cooked rice is also good for ducks.

https://youtu.be/FLa45IMr2c8

Anyway, forget about the negatives! Lentils will be safe except for the uncooked ones. You’ll be surprised to know that your duck’s tissue will get repaired, digestion will remain good, and overall health will be better for sure.

But the anti-nutrient is the problem here. Although I wanted to avoid it, ducks cannot be safe in this compound. The anti-nutritional compounds in lentils or pulses are phytate, phytic acid, and tannins. And they are the culprits who interfere and cause nutrient deficiencies.

Based on Online Library Willey, Several lentil components are unpleasant and anti-nutritional block nutrients, hinder digestion, and make the metabolism slower. So, be a little concerned when your decision is to feed some lentils to avians.

Can Ducklings Eat Lentils? Certainly Not!

Ducklings will have the same nature of eating as adult omnivores when they get lentils, but it’s unhealthy. Baby ducks usually need starter feed, not pulses, at their early growing stage. 

Although they need high vitamins, minerals, or proteins for rapid growth, lentils won’t be an ideal part at that time. Instead of benefiting them, it causes health risks in young ducks. 

So, don’t give lentils to ducklings until they become an adult. Any expert vet will suggest feeding them healthy treats such as:

1. Starter crumbs
2. Fruits (Small Portion)
3. Fresh chopped grass or weeds
4. Dandelion greens
5. Moistened oatmeal
6. Worms.

Remember, your baby ducks require Vitamin B3 (Niacin) and protein the most. So, their diets must require both of these nutrients. At least they need 70 mg of niacin for every kg of feed. According to ScienceDirect research, Horton (1932) discovered ducklings’ diet should contain 19% protein as the superior result.

8 Forms of Lentils And Their Edibility to Ducks

So, you are aware that ducks can consume lentils. Such edible seeds are safe, but you may not know that they have variety. 

You’ll find different colored lentils with different facts. Whether it’s a domesticated one or a wild one, give the type of lentils that’s safe for them. Now, let’s briefly discuss the different forms of lentils for the ducks like Mallard, Muscovy, or Pekin.

1. Raw Lentils

Can you feed ducks raw lentils? No! Just keep away! As we said, raw lentils have lectins which are an anti-nutrient that interferes with ducks’ health and nourishment. It’s even tough to consume due to complex carbohydrates and some uncomfortable components.

2. Dried Lentils

You may think raw and dry lentils are the same. But it’s not. They’re almost the same, but the dried lentils are the harvested cleaned form where the moisture is removed by drying.

So, can ducks eat dried lentils? Alas! You cannot give dried lentils to ducks. Same case! It’s tough to digest and has anti-nutrients. Only large birds like crows, pigeons, doves, or pheasants are comfortable eating any form of lentils.

3. Cooked Lentils

The safest form for ducks, I am talking from the beginning! You can feed cooked lentils to ducks to give them some health benefits like vitamins, minerals, fiber, protein, and more.

When you cook the lentils, the soft texture becomes easy to digest for sensitive beak birds like ducks. Based on ResearchGate, during cooking time, antinutrients like lectin get removed around  94.0%. And if it’s pressure cooking, you won’t find any existence of lectins, which is great!

However, you’ll see a decline in protein content of around 9%. But it’s okay! Your ducks will have something healthy!

Now, you may ask, how to cook lentils for ducks? Well, you can follow the steps I am sharing!

• Soak and drain the lentils and wash them thoroughly. 
• Take it to the pot and include some fresh water. 
• I suggest having the water and lentils ratio around 3:1. 
• Now, reduce the heat to a simmer for boiling water. 
• Until you make it soft, cook it properly. I think 15-30 minutes are enough.

4. Brown Lentils

If cooked, it’s safe! Your duck will have a mild nutty flavor from it. As an occasional treat, cooked brown lentils are a way to make the duck healthy. However, I would say take some advice from experts before feeding any sort of lentils.

5. Red Lentils

If you talk about the uncooked form of red lentils, then I am sorry! I don’t suggest the reddish-orange form of lentils. In fact, farmers will also suggest avoiding it.

But if you ask, can ducks eat red lentils cooked? Just go for it. They’ll just love to consume! Such masoor dal is much easier to cook and can be a healthy treat for the waterfowl. They’ll have a mild and sweet nutty flavor!

6. Green Lentils

Green lentils, also known as French lentils or Puy lentils, have an earthy flavor with a firm texture. But can ducks eat green lentils? 

Safely, they’ll eat green lentils but in a cooked form. Almost all the colors of lentils are good when given in a cooked form.

7. Sprouted Lentils

Now, how about sprouting it? Can ducks eat lentil sprouts? Yes, cooking or sprouting lentils is a good idea for feeding ducks. 

Because it breaks the antinutrients and gives high nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and more, but it shouldn’t be their main food source! Give it occasionally.

8. Flavored Lentils

Please, avoid it when it’s for ducks! I think most flavored cooked lentils may have spices, seasonings, flavors, or salt, which is the reason for dehydration. 

Here the trouble is ducks cannot digest such things from cooked lentils. So, think about their gastrointestinal difficulties and cook safely that comforts the duck.

If you prefer lentil curry or lentil soup, check the recipe. Plain lentils are what your ducks need!

Nutritional Elements Of Lentils Based On USDA Data

So, you’re safe to feed cooked lentils, But do you know how the components in lentils contribute to the duck’s health? Have a look at the table, which is based on the nutritional value of cooked lentils per 100 grams.

6 Benefits Of Lentils – Know How Lentils Nourish The Ducks’ Health

Eating lentils benefit us in a variety of way. Same case for the ducks! The existence of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and carbs has the most contribution. However, more elements have a great impact as well. Let’s see how your choice of feeding will benefit the poultry bird.

1. Vitamins And Minerals For Heart Health

Your duck’s heart will also get better for the antioxidants and fiber. What happens is such elements promote the cholesterol level and lessen oxidative stress.

2. Fiber For Proper Digestion

The existence of fiber in any food always works to keep the consumer’s digestion better. It also helps to prevent issues like constipation and regulates the bowel movement of ducks.

Fiber as a carbohydrate has both soluble and insoluble fiber. Based on Martha Steward’s study, you’ll find the soluble one absorbs water from the body and makes a gel-type substance that helps ease diarrhea.

3. Protein For Muscle And Tissue Development

Lentils have healthy protein intake. Such protein can take part in the duck’s muscle development and tissue repair.

4. Low Fat And Calorie For Weight Maintaining

Lentils have low fat and calorie intake. So, if they consume a small quantity of cooked lentils, it will help to maintain their weight.

5. Potassium For Blood Cell

The duck’s body cannot take salts, whereas potassium in lentils can reduce the negative effects of salt. The noteworthy part is it balances the blood pressure level.

6. Calcium For Eggs Quality

The presence of calcium in lentils has a big contribution. Calcium ensures better egg production where the egg’s shells will remain hard enough. Also, the bones become strong when they get calcium from any supplementary food source.

Related Readings:

• Can Ducks Eat Quinoa
• Can You Feed Ducks Rice
• Do Ducks Eat Oats

3 Potential Risks Of Feeding Lentils

I already said the main culprit is anti-nutrient in lentils. Except for this one, there are no notable drawbacks here. However, be concerned about the facts such as

1. Lectin is there

Duck’s body cannot digest raw lentils as it’s tough to digest. It may cause troubles like

1. Bloating
2. Vomiting
3. Diarrhea.

Therefore, we suggest cooking the lentils with high heat.

2. Overfeeding Causes Digestion Trouble

Don’t overfeed such grains. Ducks cannot digest not only lentils but even other food sources. It’s when you give them excessively!

3. Ducks Have Sensitivity With Human Foods

Ducks are not comfortable with most human foods. Most often, we eat cooked lentils, which is bad for them, but a small quantity is good for their health. However, we suggest avoiding some other human foods, such as

1. Raw meat
2. Raw eggs
3. Raw Potatoes
4. Bread
5. Crackers.

7 Tips on How To Feed Lentils To Ducks

While feeding lentils to waterfowl, all you have to do is just avoid the raw or uncooked form. And understand how much to feed and how to feed. You’ll have the answer in the next section.

While you start to cook lentils for the avians, how about following the given steps? I think you won’t find any better than this. It’s what any experts will suggest the same.

1. Rinse And Cook The Lentils: Start by rinsing lentils thoroughly in cold water to clean the dirt. Then, cook the lentils or pulses until it become soft and fully cooked.
2. Cool Down: After cooking, let it cool at room temperature just before feeding.
3. Give Only A Decent Amount: Never overfeed such grains! Only a small amount is enough to nourish them occasionally.
4. Give Plain Lentils: I suggest avoiding mixing any flavors. They cannot eat any flavored lentils with salts, spices, or seasonings.
5. Scatter Lentils In Ground: Choose the ground to share the cooked lentils. Let the duck show their natural foraging activities. It’s a good move!
6. Monitor How They Eat: Always check how ducks are consuming lentils. If you find them enjoying lentils, note it down in the list of their occasional snacks.
7. Give Some Water: My preference is to offer some water besides the lentils you are providing. They need water to consume any food sources easily.

Recommended Reading: Do Ducks Eat Grains

FAQs

We have more information based on this topic. It’s the most frequently asked query for the readers.

Final Words: Can Ducks Eat Lentils?

So, you’re free to feed lentils to ducks, but it must be the cooked lentils. You probably discovered I just didn’t like to say anti-nutrient is the problem here. Particularly, lectin is to blame for the disturbance of the ducks or even humans’ health.

On the other hand, you’re clear with the idea of feeding such healthy grains. So, I don’t think you need more ideas to follow just before serving lentils to ducks. However, let the quacking friend remain healthy with such a nutritional treat.

Sources And References:

• https://www.researchgate.net/publication/260603247_Dietary_fiber_protein_and_lectin_contents_of_lentils_Lens_culinaris_on_soaking_and_cooking
• https://www.marthastewart.com/8192192/health-benefits-lentils