Can Ducks Eat Plums? [Yes, But You Can’t Ignore 3 Risks]

Can ducks eat plums safely? Yes, ducks can eat plums when you take off the pits or seeds. Presenting a small number of plums will nourish your duck with lots of beneficial nutrients like vitamins, carbs, fiber, potassium, and more. And you can consider plums as duck snacks, supplements, or as a nutritious treat.

However, take a look at the next sections for more information regarding feeding plums to ducks. We have some surprising facts about how plums act like warriors in ducks’ lives.

Can Ducks Eat Plums? Surprising Facts For Poultry Farmers

We know stone fruits are not acceptable for ducks or even other birds. But surprisingly, unlike citrus fruit, which isn’t suggested for ducks as well, backyard ducks can eat plums but without seeds or pits, surely. Because citrus fruits are known to cause acid reflux and even stomach pain. Plums won’t cause that much trouble.

If you ask, “Do ducks like plums?” Of course, they love plums and it may make a nutritious treat for ducks if given in ideal quantity! 

Plums provide a wide variety of nutrients for ducks, such as vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and dietary fiber. Plums are especially acceptable for their nutritional content. 

But is everything about plums safe for such sensitive birds? Let us talk about more facts!

Can Baby Ducks Eat Plums?

No, baby ducks can’t eat plums. Adult ducks can consume plums easily, but ducklings or baby ducks cannot. 

The reason to be marked is the sensitive digestion system, and ducklings only require starting feed rather than such stone fruits. 

Do Ducks Eat Plum Seeds?

A big no! Ducks should never consume such fruits with seeds. Also, they should avoid fruits with seeds, such as pears, apples, apricots, cherries, and peaches. 

What to blame for? The possibility of having a cardiotoxic hydrogen cyanide mixture that can be hazardous for ducks.

Additionally, we noticed ducks or even other bird-like animals faced choking hazards while eating plums. So just remove the plum seeds and make it a perfect treat plate.

Should Ducks Eat Plum Skin?

Yes, ducks should eat the skin of plums since it’s enriched with essential nutrients such as Vitamin C, Fiber, and Potassium. When given moderately, your ducks will become healthy soon. 

So, should we remove the skin and deprive the ducks of getting healthy nutrients? No, we shouldn’t! 

However, give extra attention to washing the raw plums before feeding them with the skin because it may contain pesticides or dirt on the skin. Plus, it’s good if the plums are ripped since it helps to easily eat and digest.

Do Plum Tree Leaves Are Edible For Ducks?

No, plum tree leaves are not recommended for ducks to eat. Usually, ducks nibble on leaves, but they never know they’re toxic.

Actually, stems, leaves, and seeds contain tiny amounts of cyanide, which is also called plum or cyanide poisoning for ducks. The toxin inhibits cell respiration as an inactive inhibitor of enzymes in mitochondria. It’s known as cytochrome c oxidase, which causes cell asphyxiation. So, you might have understood how risky it can be for sensitive birds like ducks.

Will Ducks Eat Dried Plums?

Yes, dried plums or prunes are safe for ducks. The plus point is high fiber content, which ensures healthy digestion. In fact, it’s no less than a fresh plum fruit, as dry plums have less water but are high in antioxidants.

So, you may offer bite-sized dry plums without seeds. And please be sure there is not lots of sugar in it, as sugar content makes your duck gain weight too fast! Also, give dried plums in a very small quantity. 

Profile Of Plums For Ducks: Nutrition, Benefits, And Risks

You may be wondering, “Can ducks eat apples instead of plums?” Or should ducks eat strawberries instead of plums, as some of the parts are toxic? Well, no! Plums are safe!

But, yes, you can also give juicy fruits like apples and strawberries to your ducks since they are among the safest fruits for ducks. However, do not consider plums as a part of their daily diet. Do not consider veggies that belong to the nightshade family either, such as green tomatoes.

Before going to the benefits and risks, understanding their nutritional values is important. 

Nutritional Properties Of Plums

According to the USDA data about plum’s nutritional value per 100 grams, look at the chart!

5 Health Benefits Of Feeding Plums To Ducks

Who doesn’t love to see backyard ducks look lively all the time? Providing healthy treats like plums can be a beneficial source for ducks. But what are the benefits?

1. Healthy Digestion: As a part of a healthy diet, eating plums in moderation rather than overfeeding is a way to make digestion happen optimally. Dietary fiber controls the digestion system and regulates blood sugar levels.
2. Proper Hydration: Plums contain a high amount of water, so it’ll keep the duck hydrated all the time, specifically during the summer. Also, potassium fulfills the need for minerals and regulates blood pressure.
3. Better Immune System: The existence of the micronutrient vitamin C in plums keeps the ducks’ immune system well. But how? It takes place in the immune defense system by helping the adaptable immune system’s cellular activities. Also, vitamin A, along with Vitamin B6, enhances immunity.
4. Remove Toxins: Animals, including ducks, may have toxins in their bodies that lead to illness. Therefore, feeding plums with antioxidants is a way to cure risky toxins and free radicals that damage cells. Obviously, it is a healthy treat, not a regular part of the diet!
5. Healthy Feathers: Plum-containing vitamin E ensures the feather condition is good and healthy. It works as an antioxidant.

Other Benefits Of Feeding Plums

While researching, we found some other benefits of plums that cannot be overlooked. 

• The presence of Vitamin B5, or pantothenic acid, contributes to red blood cells.
• Riboflavin, known as vitamin B2, breaks down protein and carbs into energy for ducks.
• Plums’ high minerals and vitamins can prevent duck egg binding.
• For cell functionality, thiamin plays a significant role. But thiamine levels are low in plums. But feeding plums will take a little benefit for duck’s health.

Recommended Readings:

• Can Ducks Eat Peaches
• Is it Safe to consume Cherries for Ducks
• Feeding mangoes to ducks – Is it healthy or not!
• Can Ducks Eat Nectarines

3 Potential Risks Of Offering Plums To Ducks

While nourishing ducks by feeding plums, read the potential negative facts of feeding first. We found the possible risks, such as:

Digestion Trouble:

Overfeeding is the cause of all illnesses! When you overfeed plums, high sugar levels interrupt the digestion system. For this, your duck will face sicknesses such as an upset stomach or diarrhea. So, keep the supplement fruit in moderation.

Choking Hazard:

The most typical problem such birds encounter is choking hazards due to plum pits or seeds. Therefore, it’s mandatory to remove the seed before you serve them.

Sensitivity Or Allergic Reaction:

Some ducks are uncomfortable with such kinds of fruits. They find it allergic when eating. Therefore, introduce plums gradually.

How Can You Feed Plums To Ducks: 5 Serving Tips

Serving plums in front of ducks can be easy if you follow the tips we’re mentioning. The tips are as follows. 

• Tip 1: We suggest grabbing the ripped plums for ducks. Because it remains soft while they eat, ensure it’s thoroughly washed and cleaned from pesticides or dirt.
• Tip 2: The notable point is to ensure you remove the seed or pits from the plums before feeding to ducks.
• Tip 3: You can cut plums into small bite-sized pieces that are easy to eat and digest.
• Tip 4: It’s perfect when plums are a nutritious treat or supplement. You may mash or mix plums with other healthy fruits.
• Tip 5: Don’t overfeed; take the veterinarian’s advice before giving ducks plum flesh.

How Often And How Much To Offer?

Ducks are kind of stupid! Whether it’s healthy or not, they eat anything they find due to their omnivorous nature.  

But in the case of feeding plums, make it their occasional treat. Like, giving it once or twice per week to ducks in moderation sounds fine. And be sure you don’t offer more than a small piece of plum like two or three.

Recommended Reading: Can You Feed Ducks Stone Fruits

FAQs

For more information, feel free to check out the Q&A section! Hope it’ll provide more you need!

Wrapping Up

Overall, of course, ducks do eat plums seedless since plums with seeds can cause several health issues, particularly choking hazards and digestion. However, consider moderating the amount if you add plums to ducks’ diets as a healthy treat.

Therefore, we included the profile of plums to clarify it’s safe for the backyard feathered friends and won’t disturb their balanced diet. In addition, feeding the tiny pieces is all you have to do! And to utilize feeding in the right way, our feeding tips will be enough to keep them healthy.

Source & References:

• https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp8.pdf
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5707683/
• https://www.msdvetmanual.com/toxicology/cyanide-poisoning/cyanide-poisoning-in-animals
• https://www.traditionaloven.com/foods/specific-nutrient/fruits-juice/plums-dried-prunes-stew-added-sugar/thiamin-vitamin-b1.html