19 Healthy Treats For Ducks

To past boredom, treats work magically for ducks. They’re omnivores and always looking for food. So, what else other than a healthy treat makes them happy?

Some of the healthy treats for ducks include kale, peas, carrots, and Quinoa. Apple, grapes, and berries will also make wonderful treats for them. All these treats are healthy yet tasty and help your flock become cheerful.

This article will be a little personalized. I’ll add 19 treats for ducks here and a short brief about why all these are the best treats for ducks. Keep on reading, and you’ll have all your queries answered!

A Personalized List of 19 Healthy Treats for Ducks

See, since we are talking about healthy treats, we’ll focus on nutrients mainly. So, highly nutritious snacks will only be added to the list. Anyway, I’ve filtered out 18 treats for ducks that are both healthy and tasty as well! Let’s get started.

1. Peas

Peas are surely one of the finest treats for ducks. It is Packed with –

• Vitamin K for healthy blood clotting
• B vitamins for metabolism and nerve function
• Minerals like phosphorus and zinc.

Offer a few tablespoons of fresh, frozen (thawed), or blanched peas 2-3 times weekly. Ducks enjoy the popping texture of peas.

2. Chopped Kale

Excellent source for immune-boosting with vitamins A, C, and K. Also provides manganese for bone health. Chop leaves and stems into bite-size bits. Feed a handful 2-3 times weekly.

Related Reading: Can Ducks Eat Kale

3. Sweet Corn Kernels

Sweet corn is also a healthy treat for ducks. It Provides 

• Carbohydrates, along with fiber 
• Lutein for eye health 
• Folate for red blood cell production

Look for no salt/sugar-added canned or frozen corn. Offer a few tablespoons 1-2 times per week.

4. Shredded Carrots

Shredded carrots are popular for making a variety of American recipes. It is an excellent source of beta-carotene that ducks convert to vitamin A for growth, reproduction, and immunity.

So, a perfect addition for ducks is carrots! Shred or grate a few tablespoons of raw carrot 2-3 times weekly.

5. Winter Squash Cubes

Winter squash for ducks is a rich supply of vitamins A and C, plus potassium. Bake winter squash varieties like pumpkin, acorn, or butternut. Scoop out flesh and slice into 1⁄2” cubes to feed a few tablespoons 2-3 times per week. 

Anyway, if you feed them raw winter squashes, it won’t be a problem either. I just recommend baking or boiling it a little for easier digestion. 

6. Barley

Barleys are extremely beneficial for ducks. This whole grain supplies 

• B vitamins for energy
• Protein for development
• Fiber for digestion
• Selenium for reproduction
• Magnesium for bone strength.

Soak 1⁄4 cup overnight prior to serving a few tablespoons 1-2 times per week. Barleys are high-carb food. As it has a high carbohydrate ratio, it should be fed in moderation.

Recommended Reading: Grain For Ducks

7. Cooked Quinoa

Cooked Quinoa for ducks is a gluten-free seed offers all 9 essential amino acids along with iron, zinc, potassium, and vitamin E. Cook just until fluffy, and cook means boil only. It’s better not to add any spices or salt. Then, feed a few tablespoons 1-2 times weekly.

8. Chopped Grapes

Wash grapes and slice them into quarters to release refreshing juices. This type of grapes are healthy for ducks. It provides 

• Vitamin K for blood clotting 
• Antioxidants like resveratrol that protect duck health 

Offer a few grape quarters 2-3 times weekly to your ducks.

9. Quartered Strawberries

The delicious strawberries are packed with vitamin C and manganese for ducks, which aids in cartilage and bone formation. Remove tops, rinse, and cut into quarters. Feed a few small pieces 2-3 times per week.

10. Chopped Apple

Apple is a crunchy treat for ducks filled with both soluble and insoluble fiber. Also supplies vitamin C and quercetin, an anti-inflammatory flavonoid. Select the core apple, chop it into bits, and offer a few tablespoons 2-3 times weekly.

11. Cantaloupe Cubes

Sweet orange melon provides a hefty dose of vitamins A and C. Feeding Cantaloupes to ducks produce potassium and folate for blood cell health as well. Scoop cubes from the rind and seeds. Feed a few pieces 2-3 times weekly.

12. Pineapple Chunks

Pineapple can be a great healthy treat for ducks. It contains vitamin C, thiamin for metabolism, manganese for bone health, and bromelain enzymes renowned for reducing inflammation. Cut fresh pineapple into small chunks to feed every 2-3 weeks.

13. Plain Air-Popped Popcorn

High fiber whole grain snack made up of complex carbs and polyphenols with antioxidant power. Feed a few tablespoons a couple of times monthly. Avoid salt, butter, or other flavorings.

14. Cooked Oatmeal

Whole grain oats prepared with water supply protein and iron for blood cell health, plus B vitamins, manganese, zinc, and phosphorus. Allow to cool fully and feed your ducks oatmeal a spoonful or two 1-2 times weekly.

15. Worms

Ducks relish foraging for these wiggly protein bits. Two worms are a duck’s favorite treat. 

• Mealworms – Mealworms are a favorite worm treat for ducks. Rinsed in water prior to feeding, these high-protein worms are packed with vitamin B12, selenium, copper, and zinc. Ducks eagerly snap up handfuls of mealworms during treat time.
• Bloodworms – These small red worms are aptly named for their bright red color and soft texture. Bloodworms offer ducks protein components like lysine along with iron, lipids, enzymes, and trace minerals for circulation and respiration health.

Rinse in water before offering a teaspoon 2-3 times per week.

16. Chopped Boiled Eggs

Eggs provide all 9 essential amino acids for development, especially in ducklings. Cool, peel, chop the egg into pieces, and feed a few small bits weekly.

17. Wild Bird Seed Mix

Wild bird seed mix can also be given to ducks instead of bread. My suggestion is to offer a small handful of a quality blend containing grains and legumes. Some examples are millet, wheat berries, cracked corn, flaxseed, oats, and lentils. But too frequent feeding isn’t recommended. I prefer 2-3 times per month.

18. Chopped Leafy Greens

The darker the leaf, the more nutrition it contains. Kale, spinach, chard, beet greens, and collard greens brim with antioxidants. Chop finely with kitchen shears. Offer a tablespoon or two 1-2 times weekly.

19. Flowers

Well, I don’t really prefer offering flowers to ducks. It is because flowers might come with pests, insects, or other chemicals that can harm your ducks. However, I can’t stop adding some flowers, too, to the healthiest treats for ducks list. Here are some edible flowers for your ducks. 

• Nasturtiums – These bright orange and yellow flowers contain vitamin C, flavonoids, and mustard oil, which is naturally antibacterial. The round leaves are also edible.
• Squash Blossoms – All parts of squash plants are nutritious for ducks, including large golden blossoms, which provide vitamin C, lutein, and zeaxanthin. Stuff blossoms with tasty fillings.
• Pansies and Violets – Both pansies and violets supply beta carotene for vitamin A production, and they make attractive, colorful garnishes.
• Bee Balm – With its bright red tubular flowers, bee balm is part of the nutrient-rich mint family. It provides vitamin C, carotenoids, and essential oils.

This video might come with a more extended idea of duck’s healthy treats: 

Note: Check with your veterinarian for any other healthy treat suggestions or restrictions for your ducks. Fruit seeds should be avoided as they can cause intestinal blockages. And anytime treats are given, make sure ducks have access to fresh, clean water.

7 Precautions You Should Practice While Giving Treats to Your Ducks

You may ask, if these are all nutritious food for ducks, why are these only treats? Why can’t we give these to ducks every day? The answer is overfeeding isn’t good for ducks.

Plus, the foods that are considered treats might be high in some specific nutrients, which may cause malnutrition.

So, taking basic precautions is a must. Here are some of the precautions you should take.

1. Control Portions

It’s very tempting to overfeed treats to the baby ducklings. But too many treats can lead to obesity, nutritional deficiencies, intestinal upset, and more health issues over time.

Stick to just 1-2 tablespoons total per duck per day. Break treats into small pieces, so this small amount still allows ducks a few enjoyable foraging opportunities.

Monitor their overall food intake and weight. Overweight ducks can develop bone, joint, and metabolic problems.

2. Avoid Choking Hazards

Ducks swallow their food whole without much chewing. This allows large pieces of inappropriate foods to get stuck in their throat on the way down.

Choose nutritious treats of a tender texture, and chop all items into small pieces before feeding to prevent life-threatening blockages.

Just for your idea, let me give you some examples. Grapes should be quartered, and apples should be diced up. I guess you get the measurement idea. Carefully observe treat time to look for any ducks showing signs of choking, like

• Gaping open-mouthed breathing
• Wheezing or pawing at their throat

If choking occurs, seek emergency vet assistance.

3. Prevent flies and pests

Fresh produce begins decaying quickly after being handled. This thing soon attracts flies looking to spoil the leftovers with maggots. Rodents also scavenge unattended leftover treats.

Remove any uneaten fresh treats within an hour of serving time so they don’t rot and draw pests to duck habitats.

Compost any discarded organic materials if possible. Keeping areas clean protects duck health.

4. Consider Allergies

Ducks don’t have allergies as commonly as people, but they can still have adverse reactions to certain foods. Stop offering any supplements or treats that cause –

• Coughing 
• Runny droppings 
• Irritated skin 
• Swelling 
• Difficulty breathing

These signs above may indicate an allergy. Stick with tried-and-true healthy foods if such reactions occur.

5. Prevent messes and stains

Naturally moist, juicy bits of melon, berries, and grapes stain porous surfaces like grout or wood. They also stain the ducks! Feeding these treats over a tarp allows easy cleanup.

Use a damp washcloth immediately after treat time to wipe the ducks’ faces gently.

Clean them and offer them with extra water and prevent potentially dangerous dehydration.

6. Remove Rinds And Peels

The outer rinds and peels are very tough and difficult for ducks to digest. Always remove the seeds and rinds before chopping fruits and vegetables into bite-sized pieces for duck treats. Otherwise, choking troubles might arise.

7. Introduce New Treats Slowly

When trying an unfamiliar food for the first time, offer just a few mixed pieces in with their regular favorite treats. Monitor the ducks closely afterward for any signs of digestive upset or allergic reaction. 

Once tolerance is confirmed, the new item might become a regular rotation item for treat time. This thoughtful introduction prevents tummy troubles.

Recommended Readings:

• What Do Ducks Eat
• What To Feed Ducks At The Park
• What Do Ducks Eat In The Winter

FAQs

The following Q&A might come in handy for you. Don’t skip! 

Summary of the Study

All in all, healthy treats for ducks aren’t something really specific. It’s you who’ll decide healthy treats for your ducks. But just keep in mind that added sugar, salt, and canned food have to be avoided. Duck treats are meant to be a nutritional boost to them along with taste. Not to make them sick and suffering.

My personal preference is leafy greens, veggies, and fruits like berries, apples, and grapes. You can also feed them green leaves like lettuce. Be careful about the ideal quantity. Consult with the nearest vet to have a better idea.