Can Ducks Eat Sunflower Seeds? Healthy With 5 Notable Nutrients!

Are you thinking of feeding popular sunflower seeds to your ducks?

But can ducks eat sunflower seeds? Yes, sunflower seeds are edible seeds for ducks, even the shells. And black sunflower seeds are a popular bird feed. It can be a healthy treat for your ducks if they are unsalted sunflower seeds. Research from Harvard Medical School says sunflower seeds are one of the best sources of vitamin E. 

They can also provide carbohydrates, protein, high oil content, and minerals like copper, manganese, and selenium. These nutrients are essential for ducks’ health, growth, and reproduction. Keep going on with me, I will tell you more interesting facts.

Can Ducks Eat Sunflower Seeds? Treat With Caution!

In one word, yes, ducks can eat sunflower seeds. But there is a condition. They can eat sunflower seeds only as a treat. Sunflower seeds can be described as a powerhouse of nutrition. They are full of essential nutrients like protein, fiber, minerals, vitamins, etc. These nutrients can be helpful for ducks’ growth, health, and reproduction. 

However, sunflower seeds are high in fat. Overconsumption of sunflower seeds can cause disturbances in ducks’ digestive systems and also can reduce growth performance. So, be cautious while feeding these seeds.

4 Different Forms and Types Of Sunflower Seeds

Don’t be confused. Roasting, pealing, and more variety of seeds can change situations. There are also other breeds. So, please focus on what you are giving to your ducks-

1. Roasted Sunflower Seeds

Certainly! Ducks can consume both roasted and unroasted sunflower seeds without any hesitation. When the sunflower seeds are roasted, they remain safe for ducks to eat as long as they are not salted. Salted sunflower seeds should be avoided, but unsalted roasted ones are perfectly fine for ducks to enjoy.

2. Black Sunflower Seeds

Yes, wild ducks and even backyard ducks can eat black oil sunflower seeds with or without sunflower seed shells. They are widely used for backyard birds as an occasional treat to provide a source of energy. Their shiny color attracts the birds. Their high oil content is important for ducks in winter. 

Duck owner can grow them in your backyard or buy them. In case of buying them, you have to select unsalted seeds for your ducks. Though they are a little bit expensive, they are a great source of nutrition for your feathered friends. 

3. Black & White Striped Sunflower Seeds

Black and white striped sunflower seeds are cheaper compared to black sunflower seeds. They are larger, and their shells are thicker than black sunflower seeds. They contain less amount of nutritions than the black ones. 

These raw sunflower seeds are generally found as processed seeds and made for human consumption. But if you desire to feed these types of seeds to your pet, be careful while buying such seeds. Buy the unsalted one and feed your ducks sunflower seeds, but only beside their balanced diet.

4. Chinese Sunflower Seeds

As they contain salt and spice, my suggestion is to avoid them for feeding ducks. Chinese sunflower seeds are mainly processed in China for humans. They are found in the form of roasted with salt and different spices. So, there will be no healthy growth.

Can Ducklings Eat Sunflower Seeds?

No way. Ducklings shouldn’t eat high oil content like sunflower seeds. This can cause digestive problems in ducklings as they have immature digestive systems. Moreover, this can cause choking hazards for ducklings as these seeds are too large for ducklings. 

Once ducklings get 4 weeks old, you can gradually introduce sunflower seeds to them. Remember to chop the seeds before giving them.

What Can Ducks Get From Sunflower Seeds? Nutritional Contents

From the very beginning, we are saying that sunflower seeds are very nutritious; they are very beneficial. What are the nutrients they actually contain? According to USDA, let’s take a look at the nutritional contents of sunflower seeds:

Nutrients	Amount (per 100 gm)
Water	4.87 g
Calories	609
Nitrogen	3.56 g
Protein	18.9 g
Lipid Fat	48.4 g
Carbohydrate	24.5 g
Fiber	7.2 g
Vitamin E	12 mg
Vitamin B1	1.72 mg
Vitamin B2	0.25 mg
Vitamin B6	1.18 mg
Pantothenic Acid	1.66 mg
Niacin	6.7 mg
Calcium	116 mg
Iron	4.37 mg
Magnesium	302 mg
Phosphorus	732 mg
Potassium	657 mg
Zinc	5.58 mg
Copper	1.88 mg
Manganese	2.63 mg
Selenium	17.8 µg

6 Ways To Serve Sunflower Seeds To Ducks

Are you thinking that ducks can eat sunflower seeds as a whole, or do you have to chop them? Or do you need to them in water? Not to worry! Well, let me share how sunflower seeds can meet their nutritional requirements.

• Suggestion 1: You can offer sunflower seeds with shells. There is no issue with shells.
• Suggestion 2: As sunflower seeds are not so large, adult ducks can have them as a whole. But you feed them to ducklings, you have to chop them.
• Suggestion 3: As sunflower seeds do not contain enough water, while you offer them to ducks, provide them with plenty of fresh water.
• Suggestion 4: Mix them with other grains, fresh fruits, or vegetables. This will help to keep sunflower seeds moderated.
• Suggestion 5: Always provide fresh seeds to your ducks to get benefits from such nutritious seeds.
• Suggestion 6: Avoid salted and flavored seeds.

What Is The Amount Of Sunflower Seeds Ducks Can Eat?

There is no such research about the amount of sunflower seeds for ducks. But as a general rule, it shouldn’t be more than 10% for ducks. 

How Often Ducks Can Eat Sunflower Seeds?

As we have mentioned, ducks can have sunflower seeds as a treat only. You should not offer them more than twice a week.

Recommended Readings:

• Should Ducks Eat Pumpkin Seeds
• Should Ducks Eat Chia Seeds

5 Health Benefits Of Sunflower Seeds In Ducks’ Diet

We have seen the nutritional contents of sunflower seeds. Now, let’s talk about the benefits that ducks can get by having sunflower seeds.

1. Improve Digestion

Sunflower seeds provide ducks with fiber. They contain almost 7% of fiber. This helps to promote healthy digestion in ducks. Dietary Fiber also helps to

• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Regulate their digestive systems.

2. Healthy Skin & Feather

Sunflower seeds contain almost 48% of fat. This fat is essential for maintaining healthy skin and feathers in ducks. What else can fat do for ducks? Have a look:

• Ensure that ducks have healthy and shiny feathers.
• Provide energy to keep themselves warm in winter.

3. Growth & Development 

Sunflower seeds are an excellent source of protein. They contain almost 19% of protein. According to a guide from the College of Veterinary Medicine, Protein is one of the most essential nutrients for ducks’ growth. Let’s take a look at the contribution of protein in ducks:

• Help to fight against diseases.
• Support the immune systems.
• Help in enzyme production.
• Help to grow and repair tissue.

4. Overview Of Vitamins

There are different types of essential vitamins in sunflower seeds that can provide different benefits to ducks. Examples of vitamins are:

• Vitamin A: Is important for vision, reproduction, and immunity in ducks. 
• Vitamin B1: Helps ducks metabolize carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.
• Vitamin B6: Helps ducks balance their red blood cells.
• Vitamin E: Acts as an antioxidant and protects the cells of ducks from oxidative stress and damage.
• Niacin: Helps ducks maintain healthy skin, feathers, and joints.
• Pantothenic Acid: Helps ducks synthesize and use fats, carbohydrates, and proteins.

5. Overview Of Minerals

Sunflower seeds contain various minerals. Let’s know their benefits for ducks:

• Calcium: Helps in the formation of strong eggshells and is essential for maintaining healthy bones and muscles.
• Phosphorus: Supports bone health and is also involved in energy metabolism.
• Magnesium: Essential for enzyme activation and muscle function.
• Potassium: Helps to proper fluid balance.
• Zinc: Helps to improve feather health and molting.
• Iron: Helps to prevent anemia in ducks.
• Selenium: This is an antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage and supports the immune function.

Handpicked Recommendations: Common Seeds You Can Feed Your Duck

Drawbacks Of Having Sunflower Seeds In Ducks’ Diet

We have already said that sunflower seeds should serve as a treat to ducks. Overfeeding may cause some problems. If you feed confectionery seeds, they may cause problems. For instance:

• High-fat content: This can cause obesity in ducks. This can have a bad effect on egg production and quality.
• Salt content: Salt can cause dehydration, kidney damage, and even death in ducks.

However, as alternatives, you can let the duck eat other types of seeds, such as:

• Bird seeds
• Watermelon seeds
• Pumpkin Seeds
• Safflower Seeds
• Sesame Seeds
• Chia Seeds
• Flaxseeds
• Hemp Seeds
• Grass Seeds

On the other hand, as a golden piece of advice, don’t choose food for ducks that can cause choking hazards like feeding apple seeds, apricot seeds, and some other fruits with seeds or pits.

FAQs

I am not done yet. Just hold on some more minutes!!

Closing Remarks

So, can ducks eat sunflower seeds? I can say that sunflower seeds are a safe nutritious diet part for ducks as long as they are provided as a treat. But this is not applicable to ducklings. These seeds should be served unsalted. They can provide ducks with various benefits, especially in winter.

These seeds help ducks in growth, development, and reproduction. But avoid overfeeding them to your pet. You should also avoid confectionary seeds as they may contain added salt and flavors.

Resources and References:

• https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/seed-of-the-month-sunflower
• https://slism.com/calorie/105027/#
• https://www.researchgate.net/publication/347574363_Mineral_requirements_in_ducks_an_update
• https://homeinthefingerlakes.com/good-sources-of-niacin-vitamin-b3-for-your-ducklings/