Feeding ducks

Feeding your duck a complete and balanced diet is essential to ensure they live a long and happy life. Ducks should be fed a commercially prepared age appropriate food as their main diet.

• Up to three weeks of age

Duck starter crumbles are ideal. This is a high nutrient feed with a protein level of around 18-20%. Avoid chicken feed at this age – it is deficient in some of the nutrients that growing ducks need.

• 3 – 20 weeks of age

Ducklings can now be fed a good quality grower food suitable for ducks or for pullets (young chickens). Protein level for this food should be around 15%.

• 20 weeks and older

The ducks can now be fed a good quality layer or breeder food suitable for adult ducks or chickens. Pellets or mixed grain are best. They also need daily access to shell grit as a source of calcium to ensure strong shelled eggs.

Vegetable and fruits

Ducks enjoy vegetables and fruits to supplement their pellet or grain diet.

Below is a list of the vegetables and fruits safe for ducks to eat:

• cucumber
• zucchini
• kale
• broccoli
• carrot
• cabbage
• corn
• peas
• berries
• banana
• seed and pit fruits (without the seed)
• watermelon
• pears.

Foods NOT to feed ducks include:

• citrus fruits
• mangoes
• avocado
• spinach
• bread (too much is detrimental for duck’s health)
• ice berg lettuce
• rhubarb
• eggplant
• green tomatoes.

Ducks also need plenty of clean water provided to wash their food down with. Ensure the food and water bowls are close to each other.

If you notice your duck changes eating behaviour please consult a veterinarian for more information.