Do Ducks Eat Plants? Yes, Indeed A Natural Diet!

Ducks are natural foragers who opportunistically eat almost everything, including plants. So far, fresh plants or greens boost an immune system and proper digestion. It’s what avians need the most!

So, do ducks eat plants? Of course, ducks eat plants, and it’s a natural diet for them. They incorporate aquatic, pond, garden, herbaceous, flowery, and even house plants. While consuming some in the wild or garden, waterfowls mostly ingest vitamins, minerals, and fibers. And water in plants won’t make the duck dehydrated anymore!

This article will discuss the safe and unsafe plants for ducks. So, you’ll have to go a little more to get some amazing facts about plants as a ducks’ diet.

Plants for Ducks as Natural Diet – What Plants Do Ducks Like To Eat?

A clear note! Ducks eat plants, and it’s their natural diet. So, you’ll see them eating in the wild or in duck ponds as well. Such birds usually prefer when the plants are tender and young.

According to Animal Bioscience, duckweed as a plant can substitute the required protein sources in layer diets up to 25% without any negative impact. Also, multiple types of plants play a significant role in duck’s health. 

Related Reading: Do Ducks Eat Duckweed

For example, you can give herbs to your ducks. It’s my preference since it works like medicine as well as provides a soothing feel.

In general, they love aquatic plants the most. For example, algae, duckweed, pondweed, wild celery, wigeon grass, coontail, Southern naiad, and milfoil the most. But I am going to make an extensive list for you. So, you can even grow it in your yard or in the duck pond.

Waterfowl are nature’s gift, particularly for freshwater, because they keep the ecosystem in balance by maintaining the food chain while eating some plants or insects. 

So, let them eat or grow some to feed plants. But make sure you chop it before serving them to ducks.

5 Types Of Plants For Ducks: What They Actually Eat?

I don’t want to mess things up, so I categorized 5 types of plants. Here, you’ll find almost everything that’s safe and unsafe for ducks.

01. Aquatic Plant Or Pond Plant

Ducks and ducklings are fond of aquatic plants or pond plants. While foraging, they consume some plants to have a health boost.

Aquatic plants contain vitamins, minerals, water, and other nutrients that benefit the duck’s overall health. In the wild or when you feed, you can offer:

• Algae
• Duckweed
• Pondweed 
• Smartweed
• Sedge
• Watercress
• Wild celery
• Coontail
• Milfoil
• Wigeon Grass.

Related Reading: Grass For Ducks Diet

Here is a video of how ducks or baby ducks enjoy aquatic plants.

02. Garden Plant

You may have a duck or goose coop near the garden. To give a clear insight, ducks eat garden plants. 

But it seems problematic, right? Ducks may ruin the garden plants, so your duty is to become an observer while they eat.

To know the safest garden plants, give them:

• Lettuce
• Kale
• Spinach
• Zucchini
• Sunflower
• Peas.

03. Herbaceous Plant

Ducks are omnivores and herbivores, so it’s confirmed they enjoy herbs. Such plants can be their diet part or as an occasional treat. Ultimately, ducks will have nutrients with mint flavor. 

According to NCBI, the combined benefits of herbs, including oregano, thyme, rosemary, basil, sage, and mint, are growth boosters, natural antioxidants, and antibacterial agents in poultry bodies. But what to offer? Give them herbs such as

• Basil
• Parsley
• Oregano
• Mint
• Thyme
• Dill.

Related Reading: Herbaceous Plant for Ducks

04. Flower Plants

Flowers in the wild or the garden are pretty common. But when ducks reach it, it becomes their delicate, free treat with some nutrients. But they only eat such plants occasionally.

So, there are so many edible flowers available, but I find the better plants that ducks nibble on the most are:

• Dandelions
• Marigold
• Clover
• Sunflower
• Squash Blossom
• Rose.

But never let them eat daffodils, buttercups, lilies, lily of the valley, lupine, sweet peas, iris, poppies, and tulips. All of them are toxic!

Related Reading: Dandelions For Ducks Diet

05. Houseplant

It’s a growing plant kept indoors! When ducks are in the yard, they may eat some while they need to. 

Although they don’t get access in the house like we pet dogs and cats, ducks eat some houseplants. Usually, they show interest in:

• Wheatgrass
• Spider Plant
• Bamboo
• Lemongrass

But you don’t need to keep such plants in their regular diet. It’s an occasional treat to give a boost to their health.

Different Parts Of Plants For Ducks: What Are The Safest?

So, you got an idea about the types of plants ducks usually have. But any plant has some specific parts to eat. Some may carry nutrition, and some may have toxic compounds. You’ll be cleared in the next part!

• Roots: Some are safe, but some are not! For example, ducks can eat carrots, beets, radishes, turnips, or sweet potato roots. But you cannot give daffodils, foxglove, tulips, or hyacinth roots.
• Stems: Yeap! They prefer young, tender, and digestible stems. But some ducks don’t like it.
• Leaves: Plant leaves are safe with caution. It’s their nutritional intake, so you can give dandelion leaves, clover, spinach, lettuce, or kale as safe leafy greens. But be careful about some leaves as those may carry cardiac glycosides or alkaloids.
• Flowers: Not all the flowers are safe and nutritious. So, you have the options like marigolds, dandelions, or nasturtiums. But never let them eat foxglove or azalea. They are full of toxicity!
• Fruits: Ducks love fruits as well as their plants. But it’s unnecessary! But ducks may nibble on berry plants, apple trees, or pear trees while foraging.
• Seeds: Seeds are beneficial, but most of them cause choking hazards. So, give the small ones like sunflower seeds, cracked corn, or millet. Besides, give some water to make it easily digestible. When discussing nuts for ducks, I suggest not giving them or providing them only in moderation.

10 Safe Plants For Ducks

Although I said plenty of plants that ducks prefer, I didn’t say what’s safe and unsafe. So, here is an elaborate overview!

10 Unsafe Plants For Ducks

Some other safe plants are available in the wild or when you grow to feed. I picked up the best plants that ducks usually consume.

How Does Eating Plants Contribute To The Ecological System?

There is an interconnection between ducks, plants, and nature. When ducks consume plants, there is a massive impact on the environment. Adopting natural plants reduces gas emissions, saves water, improves water quality, and balances the environment. 

Also, It’s pretty interesting when ducks eat plants and play a role in the ecosystem by fostering the nutrient cycle. Plants usually convert sunlight into food through photosynthesis. And ducks transfer the nutrients to the food chain. 

Another thing is ducks ensure a fresh garden fertilizer as they control the pest. Nowadays, we hire them as garden or field workers who control plants, insects, and pests. Indian Runners are the best foragers who effectively complete their tasks.

You can see the video to have a clear view!

But they won’t Leave the plants in your garden. So, it’s better to partition them with any temporary fence or wire. 

If Eating Plants Is Bad: How To Keep Ducks From Eating Plants?

So, it’s a common question when ducks are in the garden. When not in a good mood, they ruin almost everything in the garden or field. 

1. Eating a few plants is okay, but they don’t follow it. Therefore, I have some ideas!
2. When they are in the field, monitor what they do. And block them if they try to eat all the plants. As you know, they have a voracious appetite.
3. Fencing or netting near the plants is a good idea.
4. Make a separate foraging area where ducks can get food without ruining the garden.
5. Keep some plants that are safe for ducks. They’ll stay there rather than ruin other necessary plants.
6. Please give them a balanced diet so that they won’t get much interest in eating plants.
7. Keep the ducks, geese, and chickens together. They will be less likely to eat plants when with companions.

What Plants Can You Grow To Feed The Ducks? Check The List!

Growing plants is a cost-effective idea to utilize. Besides, the environmental health remains good. That’s why I suggest getting some plants like:

• Duckweed: If you have a pond plant, grow some ducksweed in a ducks pond. It grows so fast that you can use it as an occasional treat for ducks.
• Lettuce: Grow some water lettuce to offer some natural hydration to ducks.
• Herbs: Herbs like mint, thyme, or basil are a pretty flavorful and refreshing treat for ducks. Grow some herbs in the garden and give a boost to their health.
• Sunflowers: Sunflower seeds are healthy with essential fats. So, I think they’ll get some additional energy, especially in the winter or after migration.
• Watercress: For the immune system, such a nutrient-packed aquatic plant is something you must grow for ducks.

Recommended Reading: What Do Ducks Eat

Conclusion

In Short, do ducks eat plants or not? There is nothing to ask for! Plants become their natural diet as they are omnivores and forage for any food sources. So, they eat various plants in the wild, garden, or pond. And trust me, the majority are free nutrition!

Getting plants while foraging is good. But you must monitor them as they don’t care about what they confront when hungry. So, ensure they are having something safe. Remember, toxic plants can even kill the waterfowl!

Sources And References:

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4283191/
• https://www.motherearthnews.com/homesteading-and-livestock/natural-pest-control-ducks/