Do Ducks Drink Milk? No, They Are Lactose Intolerant!
Being omnivores doesn’t mean ducks can even drink milk. So, if you ask, “Do ducks drink milk?” The answer is directly no from me and the experts. Dairy products like milk have lactose sugar, and ducks don’t have the crucial enzymes to break it down. So, they mostly face digestion trouble.
But some types of milk can be given to ducks in only a small quantity. But I deny it from my side. However, going through this reading will provide you with something crucial that you must hear about dairy products and their risks.
Table of Contents
2 Facts About Dairy Products: Do Ducks Drink Milk?
Even ducks do drink milk as an omnivore; don’t give it to them. They have serious issues with dairy products like milk. So, from my side, ducks and dairy are always a bad idea.
Anyway, lemme tell you three considerable facts that you must know.
1. Dairy Products And Lactose Intolerance
As I said, ducks are lactose intolerant. They cannot break the lactose by the enzyme, so it causes digestion distress in ducks. Mostly, they suffer stomach pain and diarrhea problems.
So, it’s better not to let them drink milk or other dairy products. If you want to see them healthy, offer fruits, vegetables, grains, and an adequate amount of water in the yard.
Milk has rich nutrients, but ducks lack enzymes, so I don’t wanna blame milk that hurts. It’s the ducks’ lack of an enzyme that blocks them from getting the lactose. However, lactose-free milk will be okay for them. As a free tip, give ducks milk that is diluted with water.
Well, my suggestion to feed lactose-free milk is for those who are wondering if they can feed a little milk to ducks or not. However, people experienced no issues when they gave dairy products like milk, cheese, yogurt, and others in moderation.
But if the quantity is quite high by accident, immediately check for scours or increased flatulence. Don’t think ducks or even chickens will get more calcium when they have more milk. It’s a way to push the duck in danger!
Anyway, check this video out to see how ducks actually drink milk with a couple of cats. The way they’re drinking must be observed by the poultry duck owner.
2. Lactose Production Differences In Mammals And Avians
Actually, there is no significance in such a study as avians like ducks don’t produce milk like mammals. However, some studies you should hear from me.
Mammals usually produce milk to feed their offspring for nutrition. Lactose is a carbohydrate in milk, and most mammals get high levels of lactase enzyme.
On the other hand, birds, like ducks, don’t have enough lactase and mammary glands for lactation. So, they don’t produce milk, and they don’t drink milk. either.
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Comprehensive Table: What Kind Of Milk Is Safe For Ducks To Drink?
You heard ducks can drink some kind of milk and dairy products. You hear it right, but please be careful about the amount. Here is a table of the list of dairy products that are safe when given only a small quantity.
| Dairy Products (Milk) | Can Eat And Drink or Not? | Important Note |
| Cow Milk | No | Can’t digest due to lactose intolerance. |
| Lactose-free Milk | Yes | Only small quantities occasionally. |
| Sweetened Cheese | No | Avoid it as it contains high sugar plus seasonings. |
| Unsweetened Cheese (Cheddar, Mozzarella, Swiss and others) | Yes | Eat without sugar and seasonings. |
| Cottage Cheese | Yes | Can eat it, but ensure it’s low in fat and plain. |
| Plain Yogurt | Yes | Unsweetened and unflavored yogurt is safe. |
| Flavored Yogurt | No | High sugar and additives. |
| Unsalted Butter | Yes | Small amount only. |
| Cream | No | Sour or high in sugar. |
| Processed Or Powdered Dairy Milk | No | Have additives that are harmful. |
Related Reading: Can Ducks Eat Cheese
Can Baby Ducklings Drink Milk?
No, they can’t, and you shouldn’t give milk, especially cow’s milk, to baby ducklings. If the matured duck becomes sick, think about how dairy products like milk gonna hurt the young one.
Try to feed them chick feed in their initial days. Baby ducks primarily require niacin and protein content the most. However, if baby ducks consume milk by accident, take them to the vet or avian expert immediately.
Is There Any Health Benefits To Give Milk To Ducks? A Few!
Yes, when given in moderation and in a small quantity, milk can offer rich nutrients to ducks. Here is a list of beneficial facts when ducks drink some milk.
1. Rich Calcium
Milk contains high calcium content to ensure healthy bone and eggshell production in birds like ducks.
2. Boosts Healthy Growth
Ducks need protein intake for proper growth, which your ducks can get from milk. However, cow milk is perfect for humans, not for your ducks. Here, milk with water is comfortable for them to absorb some amino acids. A protein molecule is made of long chains of various amino acids.
3. Carbs Are Energy Provider
Carbs or lactose provide enough energy to boost the duck’s health. But as ducks are lactose intolerant, a small amount is sufficient only.
Nutritional Table Of Milks For Ducks
The people who prefer to give some milk to their poultry must check this table. It is based on the USDA data of 100 grams of milk.
| Nutrients | Amount (Per 100g) |
| Calcium | 123 mg |
| Protein | 3.28 g |
| Fat (Total lipid) | 3.2 g |
| Carbohydrates | 4.67 g |
| Sugars | 4.81 g |
How To Feed Milk To Your Ducks? 3 Ideas You Can Follow
You find some benefits of feeding. Now, you may expect to know what’s the best practice to offer some milk to ducks for drinking. Here are 3 ideas you can follow.
- As I said earlier, lactose-free milk is available and easy to digest for ducks. You can offer soy or almond milk.
- You can mix water with the milk to dilute. Water is important for their hydration, and you cannot offer a high quantity of milk alone. So, the combination can be a great way to nourish your duck.
- Give them milk water in a shallow container, for example, a bowl or saucer.
Recommended Reading: Can Ducks Eat French Fries
FAQs
To acknowledge you more, I included some frequently asked questions. Take a look!
Q. Do ducks drink milk from their mother?
No, ducks don’t drink milk from their mother. They are not mammals, so they don’t produce milk. Primarily, they rely on water and other natural sources to grow.
Q. Are ducks allergic to milk?
No, milk is not allergic to ducks. However, milk allergy is an immune reaction mostly in cow’s milk that can be noticeable in human life.
Bottom Line
I don’t think you need to ask do ducks drink milk or not. It’s pretty clear ducks can drink milk, but they should not. What’s the problem is lactose that cannot get broken by ducks due to a lack of enzymes in them. However, lactose-free milk is what they can try, but a little.
On the other hand, avoid giving it to baby ducks. Besides, be careful about ducks’ digestion trouble and feeding in moderation, as some benefits are there. However, my personal opinion after a broad research is avoiding milk for ducks is better.
Sources & References:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6471712/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/lactase
- https://www.dietandfitnesstoday.com/niacin-in-duck.php
