Do Ducks Eat Duckweed? The One They Like Most!

Metaphorically, the name duckweed seems like the plant is made for ducks. Actually, it’s true, and ducks just love to have aquatic plants like duckweed.

So, do ducks eat duckweed? Yes, wood, mallard, and teal ducks are known to swallow duckweed as their natural food source. Whether they are in ponds, lakes, or wetlands, they’ll joyfully consume duckweed to have some nutrients from it.

While letting the duck eat duckweed, ensure you know how to feed it and the beneficial facts. Therefore, dive a little to know the role of duckweed in ducks’ diet.

Do Ducks Eat Duckweed? Is Duckweed Good For Ducks?

Yes, duckweeds are completely safe to nourish surface-feeding ducks. Let the waterfowl eat such nutritious aquatic plants for their health benefits.

I suggest letting the duck eat duckweed because I found the exceptional protein intake that your ducks must need. Besides, your waterfowl will have vitamins and minerals, which are vital for the physiological functions of ducks.

Duckweed is an easily digestible and readily available food source for ducks.  However, you may check out the video on how they eat and whether ducks enjoy eating duckweed.

At What Age Can Ducks Eat Duckweed?

At the age of around two to three weeks, ducks or ducklings can eat duckweed. It’s actually when they become able to forage and eat solid foods. Usually, ducks get plenty of duckweed during the summer and spring.

Types Of Ducks: What Species Of Ducks Love Duckweed The Most?

Actually, any type of duck species will eat duckweed since it’s a natural food source. Any time ducks forage for food, they’ll surely consume such plants, as I said earlier. However, let’s talk about some specific species that are mostly fond of duckweed.

Do Pekin Ducks Eat Duckweed? Yes!

Yes, duckweed is a favorite food source for domesticated Pekin ducks. They have an omnivore and herbivore nature like other ducks, so they take advantage of eating duckweed for its dietary components. Other than that, they are foragers and opportunists!

Can Muscovy Ducks Eat Duckweed? Comfortably!

Certainly, Muscovy ducks can eat duckweed for some nutritional benefit. Such Central and South American waterfowl find duckweed a palatable and easy-to-digestible supplement.

However, it’s good to give duckweed for the duck’s natural foraging behavior and to fulfill its nutritional needs. Or they may also eat by themselves. But remember, Muscovy duck’s digestibility of feed can rise around the age of 7 to 11 weeks.

Do Wood Ducks Eat Duckweed? Certainly!

Yes, the North American species, the wood duck, loves to eat aquatic plants like duckweed. It’s especially during the breeding season or even entire years.

Wood ducks actively forage in ponds or wetlands where duckweed grows. So, it’s a familiar and edible part of their lives and growth. In fact, all the ducks are fond of duckweed.

What Are The Nutritional Value Of Duckweed?

When you leave the duck to eat duckweed, know the nutritional properties of duckweed. It will give you a more clear understanding.

Nutrient	Quantity (100 g)
Protein	20 to 45%
Fat	0.4 to 8%
Carbohydrate	37 to 43%
Vitamin B12	2.81 mg
Iron	0.11 to 0.37 g/kg
Minerals	7 to 21%
Amino Acid	Essential (39.20%), non-essential (53.64%), and non-proteinogenic (7.13%)
Calcium	0.5 to 1%
Phosphorus	Average of 1%

6 Beneficial Facts For Feeding Duckweed: What Are Those?

Duckweed can be a perfect part of balanced nutrition, with protein, minerals, vitamins, carbohydrates, amino acids, and other elements. It supports improving the overall health of ducks. But not necessary to list it in their daily diet.

The natural plant in the pond, wetland, or lake is a free source of nutrition for your feathered friend. But what benefits will they get? Take a look at the benefits of eating duckweed for waterfowl.

1. Ideal Digestion: Duckweeds are easy for the ducks to digest. So, eating such plants will ensure a proper digestion system because they are high in protein.
2. Improvement In Muscle and Tissue: Having essential amino acids will help the duck’s tissues repair and build muscle.
3. Breaking Complex Carbohydrates: Due to enzymes in the plant, carbohydrates break down easily. It helps with overall health.
4. Good Feather Quality: Moderately feeding duckweed with a rich diet can ensure better feather quality. Also, the vibrant color in ducks’ feathers is found. Therefore, standard commercialized diets become the minority.
5. Better Eyesight: Such plants contain beta-carotene, which can offer better skin and eyesight.
6. Boost Energy: Carbohydrates in duckweed help the ducks have more energy. It’s particularly beneficial during activities like swimming, forging, or mating.

3 Potential Risks Of Feeding Duckweed To Ducks

Besides the benefits of feeding duckweed, there are some associated potential health concerns for ducks. Let’s take note of such facts and be careful when feeding the plants.

1. Duckweed may have antinutritional elements. They can hamper the overall health of ducks when eaten excessively.
2. Overfeeding can cause an imbalance in ducks’ daily diet.
3. Duckweed may have pollutants or toxins, which may cause serious health issues.

How To Feed Duckweed To Ducks Properly? Get Your Tips!

Now, how do you feed them or let them eat duckweed moderately? Follow the feeding tips, and your duck will be good while eating such plants.

• Harvest Duckweeds: First, you can harvest the duckweed in a natural habitat, such as -Wetlands, Ponds, and Lakes. Gather the plants from clean water, as getting duckweed from dirty locations can contain toxins or pollutants. 
• Washing And Preparing: You must wash such plants thoroughly with clean water. Remove all the unwanted dirt, as it may contain harmful bacteria or parasites that can affect your flock’s health.
• Get In Moderation: To avoid an imbalance in ducks’ daily diet, ensure a moderate amount of duckweed is fed to them. Research by Jan Erik Lindberg of the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences considers it a wise choice. So, you can consider duckweed as a supplement to the ducks’ regular diet.
• Monitoring Their Feeding: While offering the aquatic plants food, always observe how they react to the food. While leaving them to eat duckweed independently, be active in how much they’re eating.

Amount of Duckweed For Ducks: How Much To Feed?

Any adult ducks can eat 5 to 10% duckweed per 100 grams of daily food. But ensure you don’t overfeed duckweeds. Plus, you should know that farmers in rural areas typically let their ducks forage on duckweed from wastewater.

What Other Plants Do Ducks Eat Instead of Duckweed?

Except for duckweed, you may offer plants such as

1. Algae
2. Water lilies
3. Water lettuce
4. Water hyacinth
5. Grasses
6. Spinach.

I personally found ducks enjoy algae a lot. So, it must be their favorite type of aquatic plant, I guess.

Related Read: Do Ducks Eat Plants

FAQs

Ducks do eat duckweed, but you may want to look for more ideas about how you should feed them. Therefore, we have a question-and-answer section!

Conclusion

So, do Ducks eat Duckweed? Certainly, ducks do eat duckweed, especially when they forage for food sources in nature. You may also add such floating plants as a dietary supplement. But it’s a hassle! So, let them independently have such nutrients but be an observer while they eat.

However, you have the option of cultivating and feeding such plants for ducks as well. Forget about it and let them forage. Or, if you prefer to feed them, just go through the feeding tips we included. But never let them eat duckweed excessively; rather, in moderation!

Sources And References:

• http://www.lrrd.org/lrrd17/5/khan17050.htm
• https://www.researchgate.net/publication/264147455_Use_of_Duckweed_as_a_Protein_Supplement_for_Growing_Ducks