Can Ducks Eat Nectarines? Yes, But Not Everyday!
Ducks enjoy munching on colorful fruits like nectarines. Also, they’re colorful and nutritious too!
Nectarines are brilliant when you talk about nutrients. All the parts, such as the flesh, leaves, and skins, are fine for ducks except for the pit portion. Nectarine pits can have cyanide compounds, which are toxic for ducks. Anyway, nectarines are good but still not ideal for a daily diet addition.
I’ll provide more details about nectarines’ suitability in the duck diet. After reading this article, you’ll have all your questions answered. So, keep on reading!
Table of Contents
Can Ducks Eat Nectarines? Absolutely Yes!
No problems with consuming Nectarines. As I’ve said earlier, ducks can be in love with nectarines. Now, let’s get into the other facts about ducks eating nectarines.
Are Nectarines Safe for Ducks? Safe But Perform Precautions
Yes, nectarines are safe. But keep this in mind: you’ve to feed it in moderation. So, the answer would be yes, only if given in moderation.
Nectarines come up with all essential nutrients for ducks, such as protein, energy, lipids, ash, and fiber. But still, do not feed them nectarines excessively because nectarines are high-carb food.
Excessive carb consumption can have serious consequences, such as being overweight, obesity, and stomach upset. Plus, you can’t deny the high sugar content in nectarines. We will know the limits of feeding nectarines to ducks later.
All in all, nectarines are safe, but not entirely. It has to be fed in proper quantity.
What is the Ideal Quantity of Nectarines? Depends on the Duck Species
The quantity varies depending on the size and variant of your ducks. For example, if you’re from North America, you may have a mallard duck or American wigeon. I’m not saying you must have one Mallard or American wigeon. But, according to a survey, these are North America’s most well-known duck species.
Let’s have a look at the stats below:
These data have been collected from the US Fish and Wildlife Service survey.
However, suppose you have a mallard duck. Mallard ducks, in general, can consume around 200 grams of food every day. So, a ⅙ quarter of nectarines might be given to them in that consideration. This is just an estimated amount.
While giving it to your ducks, carefully notice their reaction. It’s their comfort that matters the most at the end of the day. So, the answer is the ideal quantity depends on the duck species. Contact a vet for your duck, know their actual behavior, and how much they should be fed daily.
What If I Feed Them Nectarines Everyday? You Shouldn’t
No, you shouldn’t feed them nectarines every day. Ducks require a variety of food every day. Any fruit, veggies, or herbs are part of their diet. Nectarines should not be given to them daily; they should not be their primary food source.
Moreover, malnutrition may happen if they aren’t provided other nutrition and food options. There are better choices for daily consumption.
Do Baby Ducks Eat Nectarines? Why Not!
Yes, baby ducks, too, consume nectarines. However, it is suggested to feed them starter feed in their initial days, especially the first four weeks. Anyway, chop them well before giving it to ducklings. They have a premature digestive system and will have choking troubles if given raw nectarines that are too in improper size.
So, properly serve it to your baby ducks, and they’ll have no trouble! Oh, one more thing: they should also be fed Nectarines in moderation.
Can Ducks Eat All Portions of Nectarines?
No, not all the portions of a Nectarine are edible for ducks. Let’s have a look at the portions that are edible and inedible.
- Skin: Nectarine skin is all good for ducks. It comes with dietary fiber and antioxidants, which help smooth digestion.
- Flesh: The portion that is completely fine for ducks is nutritious and won’t create any choking troubles. When it comes to baby ducks, chop them well into small pieces, and that’s it.
- Seed: Seeds aren’t for ducks, especially if it is a stone fruit like nectarine. Fruit seeds might have cyanide compounds, which are toxic for ducks. These seeds are hard and comparatively big as well. So, there is a big chance of having choking troubles.
- Leave: Leaves are all fit and fine for ducks—no problems feeding nectarine leaves. On top of that, antioxidants and phytochemicals are healthy nutrients that are found in nectarines. So, why don’t nectarines leave?
- Stem: Stems shouldn’t be given to both ducks and ducklings. Stems are stiff and not digestible for ducks. In addition, ducks do not have any teeth, and they swallow stuff. So, stems aren’t ideal for ducks.
4 Nectarine Forms and Their Edibility Check for Ducks
Nectarines in a variety of forms aren’t good at all for ducks. Let’s check all these different forms of nectarines and know which is good for them and which is not.
- Raw Nectarines: Raw nectarines are best for them. It comes with an adequate amount of nutrients and is suitable for ducks. Chop them while giving them to ducks, that’s it.
- Cooked Nectarines: Cooked nectarines aren’t good for ducks. Here’s my stand on this matter. Even boiled nectarines can be considered a cooked nectarine as well. It is suitable for ducks, especially young ones if it is only boiled without seasonal spices and sugar. But there are other versions of cooked nectarines, such as nectarine salsa. But nectarine salsa has white sugar and black pepper, which doesn’t benefit ducks. So, no to nectarine salsa.
- Raspberry Sauce With Nectarines: Do not feed your ducks any processed food. Raspberry sauce with nectarines has added sugars in it. It won’t bring any health benefits. Instead, it will bring health issues such as diarrhea.
- Nectarine Juice: Nectarine juice might be given to ducks on hot summer days. But please only feed nectarine juice occasionally to your ducks as it may cause various health problems. For example, too much sugar consumption will make them overweight and cause them to be obese.
How Nutritious Nectarines Are? Simply Brilliant!
According to USDA, here’s the list of nutrients 100 grams of Nectarines provides.
| Nutrient | Amount per 100 grams |
| Water | 87.6 grams |
| Energy (kcal) | 44 kcal |
| Energy (kJ) | 185 kJ |
| Protein | 1.06 grams |
| Total Lipid (Fat) | 0.32 grams |
| Ash | 0.48 grams |
| Carbohydrate (by difference) | 10.6 grams |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.7 grams |
| Total Sugars (including NLEA) | 7.89 grams |
| Sucrose | 4.87 grams |
| Glucose | 1.57 grams |
| Fructose | 1.37 grams |
Did you notice Nectarines are balanced with so many nutrients? Many of the nutrients are just perfect in amount except for the sugar (7 grams) and Carbohydrates (10 grams).
Related Readings:
4 Benefits of Feeding Nectarines to Ducks
Let’s make the picture more transparent by knowing the pros and cons one after another. The pros are mainly based on the nutrients that nectarines provide:
- Hydration: Nectarines are mighty high in water. Around 85% of a nectarine is water. Isn’t it amazing? Significantly, during the hot weather in summer, nectarines can help keep ducks hydrated and feeling good.
- Better Immune System, Heart Health, And Muscle Functioning: Nectarines are a good source of vitamins and minerals for ducks. For instance, vitamin C. Vitamin C helps the immune system and helps ducks absorb iron. Nectarines also come with potassium, which will help your ducks in electrolyte balance, muscle function, and better heart health.
- Prevent Chronic Diseases: Like many other fruits, nectarines have antioxidants such as vitamin C. These can give ducks protection from free radicals that can harm them. This might help ducks stay healthier and avoid chronic diseases.
- Smooth Digestion: The fiber content in nectarines can boost the digestion system of ducks. Research claims that 4% of the nectarine is fiber. If ducks occasionally consume an ideal amount of nectarines, it will be suitable for their digestion.
3 Precautions to Keep in Mind While Feeding Nectarines
The precautions have to be carefully followed by the duck owners. Have a quick look at all of these.
- Nectarines are packed with sugars. Natural sugars are good for avians, but too much sugar might upset the ducks’ diet and cause health problems.
- Ensure the safety of nectarines. Ensure the fruits you’re feeding them are ripe, fresh, and not moldy. Avoid feeding ducks fruits that have been treated with pesticides or other chemicals, as these can be harmful to their health.
- Providing them with only the flesh portion is the safest approach.
Is There Any Serving Approach?
There’s no absolute nectarine serving way for ducks. But a safe serving method is important. Here’s how I may feed them nectarines:
Choose Fresh nectarines from the nearest market. Of course, I bought it from a renowned seller who’s well-known for providing fresh stuff.
Chop them well for ducks. Especially for baby ducks, I would have chopped them in such small pieces so they could quickly eat them. However, before giving it to ducklings, boiling it without any spices and then mashing it can be too good.
Where to Serve? In your backyard or in a plate, maybe. Try to make some water available around them.
Recommended Reading: Stone Fruits for Ducks Diet
Bottom Line
Nectarines, like many other fruits, are packed with many essential nutrients. It isn’t unsafe, either. Just follow some precautions and give them nectarines in an ideal quantity. Consider it as an occasional treat for them, like twice a week.
However, please do not consider it part of your duck’s regular diet. Ensure your ducks have all essential nutrients and variety in their diet. By doing this, you’re ensuring their mental well-being. Happy ducks bring happiness, isn’t it?
Source And References:
- https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/health-benefits-nectarines
- https://nesfp.nutrition.tufts.edu/world-peas-food-hub/world-peas-csa/produce-recipes/nectarines
- https://www.britannica.com/plant/nectarine
