Can ducks eat blueberries? I’m glad you asked. Ducks enjoy various food such as strawberries and watermelon, but can ducks eat blueberries? Read on to find out what’s good and bad about this tasty fruit.
Can Ducks Eat Blueberries?
The short answer is yes. Ducks can eat blueberries, but before you start serving blueberries to your bird, there are a few risks you should consider first. Read on to find out what’s good and bad about giving blueberries to ducks.
Are Blueberries Good for Ducks?
Yes, Blueberries are good and safe for ducks to eat in moderation. However, you have to learn how to prepare them to avoid some risks.
Blueberries provide several nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, fiber, proteins and Carbohydrates that can benefit your ducklings. in addition to a high water levels (around 84%) that makes it a perfect food for summer days as it can aid to keep your duck hydrated.
Down below, we’ve put together some of the health benefits of serving blueberries to your poultry.
Vitamins
Ducks need vitamins to maintain their body functions. Below are some vitamins that birds can get from blueberries.
- Vitamin C helps create antibodies which are vital for your ducks’ immune system, and it also acts as an anti-inflammatory
- Vitamin K in blueberries helps duck’s blood’s ability to clot normally.
- Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) aids in protein metabolism in the duck’s body, impacting their overall health from growing and repairing muscles to a healthy skin.
Minerals
Ducks need various minerals in their meal. Below are some minerals that birds can get from blueberries.
- Calcium in blueberries help ducklings build and maintain strong and healthy bones. The ducks’ heart, muscles and nerves also require calcium to function properly.
- Magnesium in blueberries aids the bird’s body to have healthy blood sugar levels as well as a healthy heart.
- Iron content of blueberries is required for ducks’ body to produce healthy red blood cells.
- Phosphorus in blueberries help’s ducks’ body filter and remove waste from the kidneys. It also aids birds in rebuilding cells and tissues.
Fiber
Blueberries contain 2.4% fiber which keep your poultry’ digestion system in good condition.
Protein
Blueberries also consist of 0.7% protein which is vital for ducklings’ growth.
Are Blueberries Bad for Ducks?
No, blueberries are neither bad nor poisonous to ducks. However, eating extensive amounts can cause some extreme side effects such as digestion issues, diarrhea and clogged arteries due to the high sugar and water levels.
Do Ducks Like Blueberries?
Yes, ducks do like blueberries; they find them delicious and would happily eat them irrespective of how much you give.
Want to make sure? Watch this video:
How Much Blueberries Can Ducks Eat?
There is no rule on how much blueberries ducks can eat. However, blueberries or any other treat should never make more than 10% of poultry’s total daily intake. blueberries should be considered as treats, not as replacement for their main diet. If you feed ducks blueberries, it should be a part of a well-balanced meal.
How to Feed Blueberries to Ducks?
Here is how you can serve blueberries to ducks.
- Seek organic blueberries whenever possible.
- Wash the blueberries to remove any pesticides from the skin.
- Remove the outer skin if your ducks does not like it or if you want to remove the threat of pesticide poisoning altogether.
- Mix the blueberries with other foods that your ducks enjoy.
- begin with a small amount of blueberries the first time you feed them to your ducks to see if they show any negative signs. This should be done with any new food.
Conclusion: Can Ducks Eat Blueberries?
Yes, ducks can eat blueberries in moderate amounts. They are healthy, delicious and completely safe for ducks. However, it can lead to issues if excessively consumed.
And with so many healthier options available out there. Blueberries are best served up along other food your ducklings usually eat.
Keep blueberries as a special treat, and don’t replace them with the ducks’ main diet.
Leave a Comment