Best Feed For Ducks —Top Duck Feed Review and Buying Guide

Ducks are omnivores that feed on both plants, insects, and crustaceans. 

But what is the best feed for ducks that can help kickstart their growth and maximize their egg-laying capacity? 

You may find some chicken feed advertised as suitable for ducks, but hold on before clicking the purchase button! 

Waterfowls need more than just chicken feed. 

The best food for ducks must contain essential nutrients to support these fast-growing birds. 

But what are they, and where can you find suitable feed for them?

In this detailed duck feeding guide:

• we’ll unveil our top feed picks for ducks, swans, and geese and why many poultry or waterfowl owners have chosen them 
• answer some questions about what can ducks eat and what should you not feed them
• and provide duck feed buying tips to help you make wiser decisions

Knowing what ducks eat is crucial since lack of protein, and protein overload can lead to serious health problems.  So, whether you’re raising ducks for your consumption or doing it for business, you can highly benefit from this insightful guide.

Best Feed for Ducks Reviewed In This Guide

• Here’s a preview of the best feed for ducks that you can find on the market. 

Best Feed for Ducks’ List

Ducks generally love feeding on grains such as wheat, oats, barley, and foods like cracked corn, rice, bird seeds, lettuce, and more.  However, if you want a feed that provides complete and balanced nutrition, check out the following duck feeds that are waterfowl owners-approved.

1.  Best Feed for Ducks And Geese: 18% All Natural Duck Feed

This Kalmbach pellet takes the first spot in this best feed for ducks list not only because it’s loaded with all the essential nutrients needed by your ducks’ body, but it’s also cost-effective. 

Not only is it suitable for ducks, but this pellet can also pass as a go-to feed for growing and adult geese because it contains 18% crude protein, 0.45% Methionine, 0.65% Phosphorus, and 5% crude fiber.

Furthermore, this duck food comes with 45 mg of Niacin per pound and multiple benefits you won’t find somewhere else.

 

Benefits :

Contains Lifeguard

The Lifeguard refers to the proprietary blend of probiotics, prebiotics, enzymes, and essential oils.  This powerful combination supports and improves the duck’s digestive health and immune system.

Meets Duck’s Niacin Requirements

The Niacin content of this feed is beyond the minimum requirement for growing and adult ducks.  So, you could rest assured that this can back up your ducks’ growth and bone development.

Convenient for Consumption

It comes in a mini pellet form.  Thus, it is more convenient for ducks to eat, reducing waste.  However, your duck still needs access to water when eating this feed.

Affordable

This 50-pound pellet comes at a budget-friendly price of $29.99. 

Drawback:

Not Ideal as a Starter Feed

This feed also has a limitation because it does not meet the suggested crude protein and fiber requirements of ducks aged 0 to 2 weeks.  But since ducks need crushed or crumbled feed at that stage, it’s easy to see why. 

Not Enough Calcium for Layer Ducks

This feed also falls short of the suggested calcium requirement for laying ducks.  So, if you’d still go with this brand, you’ll need additional calcium supplements for your layers to make sure they’ll have stronger eggshells.

Final verdict:

Even though this feed has a couple of drawbacks, it’s still one of the healthiest food you could ever give to your duck.  It’s approved by many duck owners and provides complete nutrition for growing and adult ducks.  So, this cost-effective option is worth a try.

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2.  Best Feed for Ducks of All Ages: Purina Duck Feed Pellets

If you’re looking for a feed that suits both ducklings, growing and adult ducks, then this Purine duck feed pellet is the one for you.  This feed comes with at least 0.75% to 1.25% calcium, 65 ppm or 25 mg of Niacin per pound for bone growth and development.  It also contains 19% protein and lots of other benefits on the side.

Although it falls a bit short of the minimum protein requirements for ducklings which is 20%, this feed can pass as a jack of all trades because of the following benefits.

Benefits:

Complete Formula

This feed was designed to support both ducklings and growing ducks’ growth and development with complete and balanced nutrition throughout their life. 

Adequate Niacin Content

It also provides sufficient Niacin content for ducklings which helps a lot in their growth and development, specifically in their legs. 

With Prebiotics and Probiotics

Like the previous product, this feed contains prebiotics and probiotics to support your waterfowl’s immune and digestive health.

Drawbacks:

Not Enough for Layer Ducks

It doesn’t meet the minimum calcium and fiber requirement for layer ducks like the previous feed.  Therefore, you’ll also need additional supplements to meet those needs. 

Higher cost

This feed is twice more expensive as the last pellet, and it’s the dealbreaker for most customers. 

Final verdict:

This product comes at a higher price.  But if you don’t mind splurging money and want a feed that can provide your duck’s needs throughout their lives, it’s a good option for you.  Many duck owners have expressed satisfaction with the product’s quality.

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3.  Best Feed for Laying Ducks and Geese: Manna Pro Layer Pellet

This pellet is one of the best things to feed ducks, specifically the layers, because it meets their nutritional requirements.  It provides 16% crude protein about 3.5 to 4.5% calcium which is vital for stronger eggs.

This duck and goose feed also contains 9% crude fiber, 0.50% Phosphorus, and 0.30% methionine.  Furthermore, it’s packed with essential micronutrients such as Zinc, Copper, Cobalt, Selenium, Riboflavin, Vitamins A, D3, and many more.

In addition to that, this pellet is enriched with about 35mg of Niacin per pound which passes the minimum Niacin requirement for laying ducks.

Benefits:

• Non-medicated

This non-medicated and non-antibiotic feed provides all the essential nutrients your duck needs without adding Amprolium, an anticoccidial drug. 

• With Probiotics

Your ducks will significantly benefit from this feed enriched with probiotics essential for their digestive and immune health.  It also improves egg quality production and nutrient absorption. 

Drawbacks:

• Doesn’t float on water

One of the downsides of this feed is it does not float when thrown into the water.  So, your duck will have less food when fed in the water because it quickly sinks.  However, if you’re looking to feed your ducks in your yard and provide enough water sources on the side, there won’t be any problem.

• High feed price

The 8-pound pack of this food costs $13.25, which is quite expensive compared to local duck feeds.

Final Verdict:

If you’re looking to feed it to the ducks in the park or feed your ducks in a pond, this isn’t ideal for you since they could sink fast, and you can waste lots of food.  But if you are raising ducks for eggs and want to provide complete and balanced nutrition and increase egg production, this could be one for them.

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4.  Best Feed for Duckling and Gosling: Manna Pro Starter

Ducklings have higher Niacin and protein requirements because of their rapid growth in the first few weeks of their life.  So, as mentioned above, they need a diet that provides 20% protein within 36 hours of hatching.  And this feed is one of the best choices for them. 

It contains 22% protein, 35mg of Niacin per pound, 0.75 to 1.25% Calcium, 1% Lysine, and 0.40% Methionine, sufficient for fast-growing ducklings.

Benefits:

Formulated with Probiotics

This food is also friendly for your duckling’s digestive system because it has probiotics that support ducks’ gut health and digestion.

Non-medicated and Balanced

This crumble feed has no antibiotics or artificial colors, and it provides complete and balanced nutrition for ducklings and goslings.

Disadvantages:

Hefty Price

Many customers found this product too expensive for a 40-pound starter crumble feed. 

Lacks Manganese

This feed does not provide manganese vital for bone metabolism and eggshell formation. 

Final verdict:

This starter/grower crumble is expensive, but many Mallard ducks loved this feed, and if you’re willing to spend some bucks on your ducklings feed, it may be worth a try.

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5.  Best Feed for Wild Ducks and Chickens: Scratch and Peck

If you’re looking for the best feed for purely organic ducks, then this might be the better choice for you. 

This product is non-GMO, so you can feel at ease knowing that it’s safe and healthy for your animals.  It contains about 17% protein sufficient for growing and adult ducks. 

Benefits:

Soy-Free

Soy foods contain a lot of aluminum, damaging the brain system and kidneys, and too much soy in your bird’s diets can cause allergies and other sensitivities.

Made with Organic Whole Grains

Whole grains in their original state are more nutritious than ground grains because grinding causes oxidation, which reduces nutritional value; the longer the ground grain sits around, the more nutritional content is lost.

Disadvantages:

Lacks Niacin

Even though many essential nutrients can be found in whole grains in this feed, they do not contain Niacin.  Since it’s vital for duck’s health and development, you’ll have to supply your ducks with things that contain Niacin, like the brewer yeast, for example.

Best for Ducklings Aged 5 to 20 Weeks

You cant use this for newly hatched ones, and it doesn’t provide enough calcium for layer ducks.

Final Verdict:

You can use this feed for both chickens and ducks.  But it doesn’t provide Niacin, so you’ll have to find other means to ensure your duck will meet this need.  But if you’re looking for versatile and organic duck food, this might be for you.

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6.  Best Food for Ducks and Swans: Mazuri Waterfowl Diet

Ducks and swans have similarities in their natural diet because they feed on corn, grapes, wheat, oats, vegetable trimmings, and peas.  However, if you’re looking for a feed designed for these waterfowls, then this is one of the few good options you can find online.

Many zoo professionals choose this feed since it provides quality nutrition to ornamental ducks, geese, and swans.

Benefits:

Balanced nutrition

This feed contains 14% crude protein, 4.5% fiber, and 0.80 to 1.30% calcium.  So ducks will benefit significantly from the nutrient it offers, especially during the winter when their food is limited and can’t forage outside.

Floats in the water

Ducks and swans with injured bills may struggle to eat on the ground.  But since this is a floating feed, they can comfortably eat it while swimming on the water without hurting their bills.  It can also help support their leg health and minimize water contamination and waste.

Disadvantages:

Don’t contain Niacin and Probiotics

Like the previous product, this waterfowl maintenance diet does not contain Niacin, vital for ducklings and adult ducks’ health.

Final verdict:

Since this feed doesn’t contain Niacin, it’s best suited for pet ducks or wild ducks like those in parks that can forage for various greens and root veggies.  The other option is to add supplements or add 1.5 tablespoons of brewer’s yeast to every cup of duck food.  You can also create a feeding program that’ll ensure that your duck will receive proper nutrition.

As for commercial laying ducks, the previous products that offer complete nutrition might be the better option.  But many customers have positive feedback about this.

Some even cited that it has helped heal gash ion and grow the lost feathers of their swans due to this nutritious food.  So, it’s still worth trying.

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Best Feed for Duck Buying Guide

Choosing the best thing to feed to ducks isn’t always easy when there’s a myriad of options online and in the local stores in your area.  And you may be wondering why the products above became our top picks.

So, here’s a simple duck feeding guide on how to assess duck feeds and what nutrients you should look for.

What Is The Best Feed for Ducks?

The best food to feed a duck is the one that meets the nutritional requirements of the duck in different life stages. 

So, let’s consider the macro and micronutrient requirements for every duck’s life stage.

Macronutrient Requirement for Ducks

Here’s a list of macronutrients you need to look out for when choosing what to feed ducks.

Protein(Amino acids)

It’s not the protein itself that the ducks need the most but the amino acids they can get from protein. 

These nutrients are necessary to produce their body proteins like the ones found in their muscles and feathers.

So the best thing to feed ducks is those containing essential amino acids that are critical for muscle growth and tissue strength and provide energy to their body.

Linoleic acid

This acid is also known as omega-6 fatty acid, and it’s essential for heart health.  Without enough linoleic acid, animals may develop various health problems, including poor skin and haircoat, weakened immune system, and abnormal growth in ducklings.

Methionine

This essential amino acid plays a huge role in protein synthesis’ conversion to other sulfur compounds like taurine and glutathione.  It also promotes growth and good feathering and helps protect your waterfowl from coccidium infection.

Lysine 

Here’s another essential amino acid that helps support growth and muscle development in waterfowls like ducks.  It goes hand in hand with methionine, and they’re both not naturally produced in the duck’s body, so they usually get it from their feed.

Calcium

Calcium is a mineral essential for growth development and bone mineralization in ducks.  And since they produce more eggs than most wild birds, laying ducks have higher calcium and protein requirements.  That’s why they need a specialized layer or breeder diet. 

Suggested Macronutrient Requirements of Ducks
Nutrient	Starter (0-2 weeks)	Grower(2-6 weeks)	Finisher	Breeder   Developer        Layer
Metabolizable energy (Kcal/lb.)3	1400	1400	1400	1175	1300
% Protein	20	18	16	14.5	16
% Lysine	1.1	0.9	0.8	0.65	0.75
% Arginine	1.2	1.0	0.9	0.7	0.85
% Methionine	0.40	0.30	0.36	0.27	0.30
% Calcium	0.9	0.8	0.8	0.7	2.9
% Phosphorus	0.45	0.4	0.4	0.35	0.35
% Linoleic Acid	1.0	1.0	1.0	0.8	1.0

Micronutrient Requirement for Ducks

If you’re wondering what micronutrients must be present in the duck feed you’re choosing, here’s a list that summarizes the minimum requirement for each duck life stage. 

Suggested Micronutrient Requirement of Ducks
Nutrient	Vitamin-Mineral Level
Minerals	0-2 weeks	Two weeks- adult	Breeder
% Potassium	0.7	0.6	0.6
% Sodium	0.17	0.14	0.14
% Chlorine	0.12	0.12	0.12
Magnesium (mg/lb.)	230	230	230
Manganese (mg/lb.)	25	252	25
Zinc (mg/lb.)	32	25	30
Iron (mg/lb.)	35	20	30
Copper(mg/lb.)	4.0	3.0	3.0
Vitamin A (IU/lb)	4000	2500	4000
Vitamin D3 (ICU/lb.)	500	400	40
Vitamin E (IU/lb)	10	5	10
Vitamin K(mg/lb.)	1.0	0.5	1.0
Riboflavin (mg/lb.)	3.0	1.5	3.0
Niacin (mg/lb.)	25	20	25

 

Duck Feed and What Else Should You Look for In It

Aside from the macro and micronutrients mentioned above, the best feed for ducks must have the following:

Niacin

This nutrient is essential for ducks and chickens’ growth and bone development, but ducks need twice more of this in their diet due to their inability to produce Niacin from tryptophan.  Niacin deficiency can cause leg deformities and other health issues. 

And since newly hatched ducklings have experienced rapid growth in the early stages of their lives, they’re more susceptible to Niacin deficiency.

Ducklings require about 10 mg of Niacin per day, while adult ducks need 12.5 mg per day. 

Probiotics

As mentioned earlier, these living microorganisms are vital for your duck’s gut health because they help support and promote the growth of other normal bacteria. 

It can lead to a stable intestinal flora where the duck’s natural defenses become stronger. 

Furthermore, it can prevent dysbacteriosis or the imbalance in the gut microbiota, which is associated with inflammatory bowel diseases. 

Furthermore, a study conducted in Egypt revealed that a diet containing 18% crude protein and probiotics increases ducks’ final and total weight gain significantly.  

Grains

It could be any seeds from the tiny, hard grass family, including oats, corn, and wheat. 

Choosing a duck feed that includes whole grains like barley, brown rice, and buckwheat will benefit your waterfowls since they contain Vitamin B and E and Phosphorus.

Ducks will enjoy foraging on whole-grain spread across your yard.  But remember that ducks are sensitive to mold toxins as little as 30 ppb aflatoxins.

That’s why you have to make sure that they won’t get to eat damp and moldy pellets since it can be fatal to ducks.

Now, the next question that may linger on your mind is probably about the amount of feed needed by your duck.  You’ll find more about it below. 

How Much Duck Feed Does a Duck Need

Ducklings usually consume about 12.5 kg or 27.6lb of feed until they reach 20 weeks of age.  On the other hand, lying ducks have higher feed consumption of approximately 120 grams or 0.25lb of feed per day.

However, these numbers can still vary depending on the production and accessibility of food to forage on.

When choosing the best feed for ducks, it is worth noting that they don’t need medicated feeds.  That is because waterfowls are resistant to most avian diseases.  And the medicated chicken feed is toxic to ducks because the medication is designed to meet the chicken’s needs based on the amount of food they eat.

Since ducks consume more feed than chickens, there’s a higher chance that they’ll overdose on the medication.  But that’s not the only factor you should consider when deciding what to feed to ducks.  You should also know what kind of feed is appropriate for your ducks.  So, let’s have a look at your options.

Types of Feed for Ducks

Duck feeds vary in size, shape, and chemical content, but there’s an appropriate type for every life stage of the ducks.  These are the following:

Non-medicated Starter Feed

This starter grower feed does not contain a coccidiostat called amprolium, used for chicks to combat coccidiosis. 

However, it’s not approved for duck and geese feed use since coccidiosis is pretty rare on waterfowls. 

So, ducklings and goslings don’t need that content. 

The best feed for ducks must have high protein and niacin content because they help the ducklings convert food into energy.

Crumble Feed for Ducks

This duck feed is prepared at a mill with different pelleting ingredients then crushing it softer than pellets.  But it’s thicker and coarser than starter feeds for chicken. 

It isn’t the first choice for some duck keepers due to choking hazards for young birds.  But others prefer it because it has minimal ill effects and the convenience of using this feed.

Duck Feed Pellets

This feed is more compact and more rigid than other types. 

But it’s one of the best things to feed ducks because it helps reduce wasted food, improves the palatability of the food, and shortens eating periods.

The downside of this duck feed is that they can easily hide poor-quality ingredients in pellet food form. 

Amino acids will decrease and destroy a few vitamins when exposed to heat during the pelleting process.

Greedy eaters who like to munch on this feed are prone to choking, colic, and other digestive problems.

But this feed for ducks helps improve animal performance and feed efficiency, making it a good option for adult ducks. 

How to Feed Ducks

Feeding ducks is a breeze if you have cracked corn, rice, oats, sunflower seeds in your pocket.  But there are also do’s and don’t that you must remember to ensure your safety and avoid stressing the ducks.

If you’re planning to feed your ducks or those in the nearby park or pond, here are tips you have to remember:

General Feeding Tips

• Get the bin feeder ready first and make sure it’s cleaned dry.  If there are sharp edges in it, you’ll need to cover it with duct tape and hang it in a safe place within your waterfowl’s enclosed space.
• Leftover foods exposed to water and moisture quickly rot and provide a perfect environment for molds with deadly toxins to grow.  So, if the ducks seem uninterested and they’re leaving the food uneaten, then you need to stop feeding them to reduce the waste and avoid potential health risks.
• Since ducks don’t chew their food, you need to ensure that the feeds and meals you provide are bite-sized and won’t cause choking.
  If you’re feeding ducks with your kids at a pond, ensure they don’t get too close to the water’s edge to prevent accidental tripping and falling.

Safety Duck Feeding Tips if You’re with Your Kids

• Chasing the ducks may be fun for your kids, but it can stress out the waterfowls and even cause injury.  So, it’d be best not to disturb them.
• Remind your kids to spread the food on the water’s surface well and make sure the ducks finish the food before adding more.  That is to prevent the build-up of leftover food and reduce wasted feed.
• More significant waterfowl like swans and geese can become aggressive and violent, so you need to be cautious when they’re coming too close to you or your kids.
• Garbage, including bags, twist ties, plastic clips, and any unwanted or moldy scraps, can harm birds and the environment; properly dispose of it all.

How to Make Duck Feed

Are you looking for some commercial duck feed alternatives to save some bucks?  Then, creating a homemade duck feed mix may be the best way to go.  Here are some recipe ideas that you can copy for your poultry farm.

The feed below aims to provide all the essential nutrients for your duck’s growth.  Since young ducklings are weak and sensitive, they need a highly-nutritious meal; preferably a wet started mash in their first eight weeks.

And it’d be best to feed at night for their first few days and provide drinking water starting on their second day.

Starter Feed Mix for Ducklings, Growing, and Adult Ducks

Here are the ingredients you need for the mix:

• Corn (grounded for ducklings, cracked for bigger ducklings and adult ducks)
• Soybean Meal (grounded, not whole soybeans)
• Calcium Carbonate
• Mineral Mix (designed for poultry)

Kindly take note that feed rations may vary.  But if you’re going to make a 100-pound started feed per batch, please be guided with the table below.

We suggest doing the math after sourcing the ingredients because pre-made duck food might cost you less.  But if you think you can save a considerable amount if you’d create your mix, then this option may be better for you.

Ingredients	Duckling Starter (First 2 weeks)	Grower (3 weeks+)	Adult Ducks (1 month before breeding & during the laying season)
Corn	62.1 lbs	74.1 lbs	71.25 lbs
Soybean meal	34 lbs	22.5 lbs	20 lbs
Calcium carbonate	0.4 lbs	0.4 lbs	5.25 lbs
Mineral mix	3.5 lbs	3 lbs	3.5 lbs
Total Protein Percentage	22%	17.5%	16%

Now let’s get the mixing job done.

How to mix: Mixing this duck feed is a no-brainer.  Just combine and mix the calcium carbonate, mineral, and soybean first.  Then, add the corn and even out the mineral throughout the mixture.

If you want to upgrade this feed, here’s a pro tip:

Add some finely chopped shrimp and boiled rice on the duckling’s fourth day.  And when they reach the age of 1 month, give them some tiny freshwater snails or cooked unhulled rice.

Then, let them forage for some food if possible.  And as mentioned earlier, you can also add 1.5 tablespoons of brewer’s yeast to every cup of duck food to meet their Niacin requirement.

Common Questions About the Best Food for Ducks

As you’ve probably noticed, there is more research about chickens and their diet.  That’s because more people prefer chicken and chicken eggs even though duck eggs are more significant and healthier.

So, to give you more ideas about duck’s diet, we collected and answered the most frequently asked questions about waterfowl food below.

What do ducks eat?

As mentioned earlier, ducks are omnivorous birds, just like ducks, geese, and swans.  They forage to feed on plants, grains, insects, and mollusks.

Additionally, these waterfowls swim on ponds to find some weeds, worms, tiny water snails, amphibians, and even crustaceans like crayfish because their natural diet in the wild is aquatic vegetation.

Not all ducks have access to large bodies of water like ponds, and if your birds are one of them, the good thing is there are healthy food alternatives you can provide to keep your ducks in shape. 

There’s a long list of what can duck eat, but the best foods you can feed them with include the following:

• Cracked corn

These are easier to eat than whole kernels and an excellent alternative to bread.

• Sweet corn

Ducks are into sweetcorns as well, so why not try to treat your ducks with either tinned, frozen, or fresh sweetcorns?  They’ll love you for that.

• Oats

Your ducks will also likely be grateful if you’d give them a handful of healthy snacks like oats, even if uncooked, rolled, or quick.  

• Rice 

It doesn’t matter if your rice is plain white or brown, cooked or uncooked, whole or instant.  They’d love to munch on it but make sure it’s not spoilt. 

• Birdseed

Ducks will eat any birdseed that your birds feed on.  They love to clean up anything that other birds drop to the ground. 

• Grapes

Ducks feed on grapes, too, but you have to cut them in half or quarter if they’re significant to help them ingest it easier.

• Frozen peas

There’s no need to cook them as long as you defrost the peas. 

What is the best grain to feed ducks?

One of the best grains to feed ducks is wheat, but it must have 11% protein and high quality.  Oats high in oils and protein is beneficial for ducks, especially during winter.

What should you not feed ducks?

Bread, chips, cereals, donuts, crackers, popcorn, and junk foods aren’t nutritious, so it would be best not to feed your duck with these types of food.

Additionally, leftover stale and moldy bread contains various mold toxins that can be deadly to waterfowls.  So, it would be best to keep these things away from your ducks or the waterfowls in the park.

Is bread awful for ducks?

According to Kristin Norris, a veterinary technician at VCA Bridgeport Animal Hospital, giving them bread can cause various health issues.  Bread is high in carbohydrates, but it has little to no nutritional value. 

Furthermore, it can impact the duckling’s growth and cause malnutrition and body deformities if consumed too much.  It can also negatively impact their health because deadly toxins can nestle if left uneaten and moldy.

Therefore, it would be best to refrain from feeding your duck and those in the park with bread. 

Is cracked corn good for ducks?

Cracked corn is low in protein, but it’s a high-energy food source for birds like ducks.  On top of that, this food looks enticing for ducks, and it’s a healthier alternative than bread.

Can I feed ducks uncooked rice?

Yes, you can use uncooked rice in feeding ducks.  Ducks can eat any rice, whether raw, cooked, brown, or white, as long as it’s only plain rice – not seasoned or fried.  But we suggest keeping the serving size of uncooked rice to no more than 2 ounces per day.

Feeding too much can lead to constipation because it’ll absorb water and make your duck’s feces drier and more complex than usual.

Rice is a cheaper alternative to commercial feeds, yet it’s high in carbs, protein, vitamins, and minerals like potassium, calcium, Niacin, and choline.

However, it is also worth noting that uncooked rice is more nutritious and won’t attract insects.  But it’s harder to digest than cooked ones.  On the other hand, cooked rice has lower nutritional value, and it’s dangerous for ducks to consume spoilt and moldy rice.

Is cabbage good for ducks?

Cabbage is tasty, and it comes with lots of nutrients, including fiber which aids in a duck’s digestion, so it’s a great treat.  You can serve it raw, either whole or chopped, but it’d be easier for ducks to gorge on them if they’re cooked or grated.

Ducks can also eat kale, collard, chard, lettuce, and other types of squash, as well as broccoli, Brussel sprouts, and cauliflower.  They’ll also appreciate having root vegetables like sweet potatoes, turnips, beets, carrots, radishes, and parsnips in their meal.

However, 85% of cabbage is water, which may induce diarrhea when consumed too much.  Therefore, you need to keep your duck’s cabbage consumption in moderation.

Do ducks eat sunflower seeds?

Yes, ducks can eat sunflower seeds.  It’s a very nutritious meal that provides a high amount of thiamine plus vitamins B1 and W. They’re all essential for having a robust immune and digestive system.

Sunflower seeds also contain vitamin A, which helps produce antibodies, and vitamin B3, which improves your duck’s joint muscle health.

Ducks will eat sunflower seeds whether they’re roasted or raw, striped or not, with or without shells, as long as it’s unsalted.  It’s because they don’t require it much in their diet, and they can quickly die from salt overdose.

What can you feed ducks at the park?

You can feed ducks at the park with cracked corn, rice, oats, birdseed, sunflower seed, frozen peas, and sliced grapes.  These foods provide nutrients similar to what they can get from foraging their food.  But you can also give them duck feed that’ll provide them with complete and balanced nutrition.

Where to buy food for ducks?

You can find most duck foods like cabbage, oats, and sweet corn in your kitchen.  But if you’re looking for duck feeds that’ll provide complete nutrition for your waterfowls, you can either visit your local store or check out Amazon, which is a more convenient option.

What do you feed ducks in the winter?

Ducks usually eat insects and grass when foraging, but since they can’t stay out during winter, you’ll have to provide them with alternatives like kale, cracked corn, and cabbage.  But you can also give them the duck feeds mentioned above, which are specially formulated to support their health and development throughout their lives.

Best Feed For Ducks Summary

And that wraps our buying guide and review of the best thing to feed ducks, ducklings, swans, and geese.

As you’ve seen in this guide, there’s an array of duck feed options online.  But when if you want to provide your duck with complete nutrition and increase egg production, it’d be best to invest in quality feeds like All Natural, Manna Pro, and Purina.

If you want to go with organic foods or feed the ducks in your park, greens and veggies, including cabbage, corn, rice, oats, and grapes, will already do.

While most people use bread, crackers, popcorn, and junk foods to feed ducks in the park, it’s time to break the norm.  They aren’t the best food for ducks since they’re unhealthy and may even cause malnutrition and body deformities.

But if you’d consider the best feed for ducks list above, you can help your duck eat and stay healthy and keep injuries at bay.

READ NEXT: The Ultimate Duck Feeding Guide

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