Can Ducks Eat Parsley? They’re On It!

You may worry about your voracious eater ducks, who eat almost everything including parsley herbs in the garden. And it’s okay! Let the ducks nibble and eat some herbs to have some nutrients.

So, can ducks eat parsley? Of course, they eat parsley. It’s their natural behavior to be fond of such herbs. But excessive eating can harm them because of the presence of oxalate. Apart from this, giving in moderation can contribute to their health. Significantly, nutrients like phytonutrients, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and fiber play for it!

Now you may think of feeding or leaving ducks in the garden to have some parsley. And that’s why I will guide you with the proper ideas that you require before feeding parsley to ducks.

Can Ducks Eat Parsley? Do Ducks Like Parsley?

Parsley, in general, is a safe diet part for ducks, and ducks gonna love to take the touch of earthiness and peppery taste. But I suggest feeding in moderation since it won’t fulfill their daily needs for nutrients.

Because my research claimed that, overfeeding parsley herbs can be toxic for birds like ducks, geese, or chicken’s health. So, make it a supplementary treat since the laxative effect can impact.

Based on Avian Pathology, the clinical indication and pathological change noticed following a field outbreak of photosensitization in ostrich and even in the ducks. Where the experiment talked about the illness of parsley intake.

But it’s completely fine to feed small amounts since your ducks gonna have nutrients like:

• Vitamins
• Minerals
• Phytonutrients
• Antioxidants
• Fiber.

Wait for a little to know the way such nutrients give a boost to the duck’s health.

About Young One In Yard: Do Ducklings Eat Parsley?

Yes, ducklings can eat parsley herbs to have plenty of health benefits. But you need to think about some caution before feeding or letting them eat. 

As you know, baby ducks have delicate digestion so it’s your duty to observe in the garden while they reach some herbs. Also, be careful about high fiber intake as can cause their eating tougher.

Listen, ducklings typically require protein and niacin at a young age. And they need balanced started feed.

So, I don’t think they should eat herbs too much. But it’s okay if they only take a little. Much better if you feed after chopping the leaves.

8 Parsley Parts And Forms For Waterfowl: What Types To Feed?

Almost all types of herbs for ducks are good except for a few types. So, raw or fresh parsley leaves can be on their dietary supplement. It’s the best form to feed your ducks. Besides, you can feed some other forms and parts of parsley herbs.

1. Parsley Root: Whether in the wild or in the yard, ducks can consume parsley roots when given after washing. And you’ll have to chop them into manageable pieces.  And remember, parsley leaves, seeds, and roots are diuretic. According to ResearchGate, it’ll scavenge skin-aging risky free radicals and reduce the release of histamines.
2. Parsley Stem: Although having a bitter taste with an herbaceous flavor, ducks can eat it. But if they show no interest, avoid it. And the size should be safe to consume and digest for them.
3. Cooked Parsley: Yeap! Cooked parsley is good but make it chilled before feeding. Compared to raw parsley, the cooked form may lose the exact nutrition that exists in fresh ones.
4. Dried Leaves: Ducks may try to consume dry parsley but I don’t prefer this form. So, if you give some, ensure it’s free of additives.
5. Parsley Seeds: Although parsley seeds have antioxidants and other nutrients, ducks are uncomfortable. There is a risk of choking hazards since they don’t care about how much they eat. So please don’t give it to them!
6. Essential Oil: Frankly speaking, no essential oils are safe for birds including ducks. Whether ducks ingest or inhale, it’s toxic I guess. Notably, they’ll have digestion or respiratory problem.
7. Flat-leaf parsley Or Italian Parsley: Ducks will eat this type of herb but there is a problem. Cymopterus watsonii, which is a parsley family known as phototoxic rangeland plant. But except for this type, ducks can eat a small quantity of English/Italian or such flat-leaf herbs.
8. Curly-leaf parsley Or French Parsley: These delicate green curled herbs should not be given to backyard friends. Based on my research, parsley contains furanocoumarins which are harmful when any birds consume excessively.

Parsley Nutritions That Benefits Ducks: USDA Data

I thought to give a nutritional table of parsley. I hope it’ll give you a better understanding of such herbs when you decide to feed some to avians.

What Contributes To Ducks Health? 5 Healthy Nutrients!

If ducks get some parsley leaves from the garden or wild, they’ll get a boost in their overall health. But what are those? Let’s have a look!

Parsley Have High Vitamins

If ducks get some parsley leaves occasionally from the garden, they get several health benefits such as:

• Vitamin A and C is present in parsley to keep the immunity function healthier.
• Oxidative stress gets removed because of vitamin C in parsley.
• Your ducks gonna have better eyesight and bone health and vitamin K contributes to blood clotting as well.

Minerals Can Give A Overall Boost

The significance of minerals in ducks’ life is quite valuable. In the case of feeding parsley, minerals like calcium, potassium, and iron are marked as big contributors. Let’s see how minerals benefit the ducks.

• Calcium is enough in parsley to have strong muscle, bone development, nerve functioning, and even for eggshell formation of laying ducks.
• Your duck’s overall cellular functions and heart rhythm gonna run smoothly since parsley has potassium intake.
• Iron is active to contribute to the physiological processes of ducks.

Antioxidants Are Other Health Promoters

Vitamin C and beta-carotene are the notable antioxidants in parsley, that promote the duck’s health. As I said before, the vitamin helps to reduce oxidative stress. 

Besides, the immune system and cellular health will get better over time. So, feeding a little won’t hurt them.

Phytonutrients As Antioxidants

Phytonutrients are actually flavonoids and carotenoids that possess antioxidant properties to keep the duck’s health well. Here, it works like the anti-inflammatory effect on ducks’ health.

Fiber For Healthy Digestion

Dietary fiber’s job is to ensure better digestion and to support gut health. If ducks eat parsley they will have ideal digestion and they’ll become free of gastrointestinal issues.

Additional Benefit

Rich iron in parsley cannot be overlooked since it helps prevent anemia, a blood disorder. It usually happens due to dropping hemoglobin levels or low red blood cells. So, let them eat some parsley from the garden.

Note: As I said earlier, parsley has furanocoumarins, which become toxic when ducks consume excessively. Also, the pesticides in your garden can be risky for the backyard duck. So, be careful! 

And if you prefer to give any alternative herbs, you can do it. Ducks love basil, oregano, thyme, or rosemary as well.

Related Reads:

• Can Ducks Eat Rosemary
• Can Ducks Eat Oregano
• Can Ducks Eat Basil

How To Feed Parsley To Ducks? Guideline For You!

It’s quite easy to feed parsley to ducks. Generally, we feed them or let them eat from the garden. 

I would say grow some parsley in your garden if you don’t have any. It will take not more than 70-90 days. Or buying it from the nearby store will also be fine. 

Other than that, I prefer to share the right way to feed. Since you may not know about this! Here are the tips!

How Often To Feed

I already said parsley can be their occasional treat. You should let them eat one or two times each week.

How Much To Feed

You can give around 2 or 3 sprigs of parsley leaves to any small flock of ducks. But don’t feed them excessively, please. There is a toxicity that can harm them.

Feeding Time

If you want to feed parsley leaves to the ducks or geese, follow my tips. It’s easy and effortless!

• Clean Parsley: Start by washing the parsley leaves thoroughly to remove pesticides or contaminants.
• Gradually Introduce: You have to introduce such herbs to feed your ducks gradually.
• Chop It: I think it’s better to feed parsley after chopping it into small pieces. It’s particularly safe for baby ducks.
• Feed A Moderate Quantity: Give parsley a moderate quantity since overdose may cause health difficulties.

Serving Ideas

So, how to serve parsley to ducks? Have a look!

• You can simply mix parsley with other dishes.
• Separately giving is not a problem.
• Feed them or let them reach to eat from the garden.

Recommended Reading: Natural Antibiotic for Ducks

Conclusion: Can Ducks Eat Parsley?

Ducks gonna love to try herbs like parsley but overfeeding or overeating is a mass! I am saying this because of oxalate, pesticide, and the presence of furanocoumarins that can harm your duck. 

Except for such toxicity, ducks are good and will have something beneficial from the garden. However, if you see them eating, let them get some nutrients from it. Or when feeding, clean the leaves and chop them before serving. I think ducks gonna love the way you feed!

Sources And References:

• https://www.researchgate.net/publication/11511265_Diuretic_effect_and_mechanism_of_action_of_Parsley
• https://duckdvm.com/condition/photosensitization