{"id":66426,"date":"2020-08-20T12:10:59","date_gmt":"2020-08-20T19:10:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rurallivingtoday.com\/?p=66426"},"modified":"2024-02-15T11:53:30","modified_gmt":"2024-02-15T18:53:30","slug":"what-to-feed-ducklings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rurallivingtoday.com\/backyard-chickens-roosters\/what-to-feed-ducklings\/","title":{"rendered":"What to Feed Ducklings to Meet Their Nutritional and Growth Needs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>You need to know what to feed ducklings if you\u2019re considering raising or breeding ducks. Their dietary needs change depending on their age.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Knowing what to feed ducklings is also important if you want to raise strong, healthy animals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a first time duckling owner, you\u2019ll also need answers to questions like <em>&#8220;How often should ducklings be fed?&#8221;<\/em> and &#8220;<em>How to feed a baby duck?&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019ll this information and more to ensure that your ducklings meet all their nutritional needs and help you become a more responsible duck owner or breeder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_65 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-light-blue ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/rurallivingtoday.com\/backyard-chickens-roosters\/what-to-feed-ducklings\/#What_to_Feed_Baby_Ducks\" title=\"What to Feed Baby Ducks\">What to Feed Baby Ducks<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/rurallivingtoday.com\/backyard-chickens-roosters\/what-to-feed-ducklings\/#Feeding_Ducklings_Protein_Amino_Acids\" title=\"Feeding Ducklings: Protein \/ Amino Acids\">Feeding Ducklings: Protein \/ Amino Acids<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/rurallivingtoday.com\/backyard-chickens-roosters\/what-to-feed-ducklings\/#How_to_Feed_a_Baby_Duck_With_Fruits\" title=\"How to Feed a Baby Duck With Fruits\">How to Feed a Baby Duck With Fruits<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/rurallivingtoday.com\/backyard-chickens-roosters\/what-to-feed-ducklings\/#Baby_Duck_Feeding_Vegetables\" title=\"Baby Duck Feeding: Vegetables\">Baby Duck Feeding: Vegetables<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/rurallivingtoday.com\/backyard-chickens-roosters\/what-to-feed-ducklings\/#What_to_Feed_Ducklings_Alternatives\" title=\"What to Feed Ducklings: Alternatives\">What to Feed Ducklings: Alternatives<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/rurallivingtoday.com\/backyard-chickens-roosters\/what-to-feed-ducklings\/#What_Not_to_Feed_Your_Ducklings\" title=\"What Not to Feed Your Ducklings\">What Not to Feed Your Ducklings<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/rurallivingtoday.com\/backyard-chickens-roosters\/what-to-feed-ducklings\/#Adult_Layer_Feed\" title=\"Adult Layer Feed\">Adult Layer Feed<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/rurallivingtoday.com\/backyard-chickens-roosters\/what-to-feed-ducklings\/#Shells\" title=\"Shells\">Shells<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/rurallivingtoday.com\/backyard-chickens-roosters\/what-to-feed-ducklings\/#Others_foods_ducklings_shouldnt_eat\" title=\"Others foods ducklings shouldn&#8217;t eat\">Others foods ducklings shouldn&#8217;t eat<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/rurallivingtoday.com\/backyard-chickens-roosters\/what-to-feed-ducklings\/#How_to_Feed_Baby_Ducks\" title=\"How to Feed Baby Ducks\">How to Feed Baby Ducks<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/rurallivingtoday.com\/backyard-chickens-roosters\/what-to-feed-ducklings\/#How_Often_Should_Ducklings_Be_Fed\" title=\"How Often Should Ducklings Be Fed?\">How Often Should Ducklings Be Fed?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/rurallivingtoday.com\/backyard-chickens-roosters\/what-to-feed-ducklings\/#Food\" title=\"Food\">Food<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/rurallivingtoday.com\/backyard-chickens-roosters\/what-to-feed-ducklings\/#Water\" title=\"Water\">Water<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/rurallivingtoday.com\/backyard-chickens-roosters\/what-to-feed-ducklings\/#What_to_Feed_Ducklings\" title=\"What to Feed Ducklings\">What to Feed Ducklings<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_to_Feed_Baby_Ducks\"><\/span>What to Feed Baby Ducks<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The good news is, no matter what your reason is for raising ducks, the diet of a duckling is pretty much the same across the board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It doesn\u2019t matter which <a href=\"https:\/\/rurallivingtoday.com\/backyard-chickens-roosters\/duck-breeds\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">duck breeds<\/a> you choose or whether you\u2019re raising ducks as pets or for eggs or meat, they will all start life with the same basic nutritional needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s take a look at duck feeding in more detail, before explaining how their needs change as they get older.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Feeding_Ducklings_Protein_Amino_Acids\"><\/span>Feeding Ducklings: Protein \/ Amino Acids<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>For the first three weeks of a duckling&#8217;s life, they should be feed duck starter feed only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Among the most essential nutritional requirements for ducklings and ducks are protein and energy sources. These will greatly impact the productive and reproductive performance for eggs and meat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the first three weeks of life, ducklings grow quickly. They need a starter diet with feed that consists of 18% &#8211; 20% protein. Crumbles are best. If you get pellets, be sure the pellets are small enough for the baby ducks to ingest. They should be no more than 1\/8&#8243; in size.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Leave the food out at all times for them to access as needed. In addition, provide insoluble grit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You should place feed on rough paper or cup flats for the first several days. Don&#8217;t use chick box tops or other smooth-surfaced lids or paper as feeders. Slick-surfaced materials can cause leg damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As ducks grow, they will require less protein. So while starter feed should consist of 20% protein, their grower feed should contain 17 &#8211; 19% protein. A duck breeder feed diet should be 16% protein.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For the first 21 days, feed ducklings starter feed. After that, you can reduce the protein level to 15% and start feeding ducklings additional foods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to Agriculture and Life Science, North Carolina Cooperative Extension, you should not feed ducklings medicated feeds meant for other birds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Feed_a_Baby_Duck_With_Fruits\"><\/span>How to Feed a Baby Duck With Fruits<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1. Strawberries<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Just as much as we love strawberries, your ducks will, as well. As a delicious and sweet addition to their food, strawberries have tons of essential vitamins and minerals that they are bound to love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Strawberries have enriching calories, but they also contain vitamin C, manganese, and carbs that are vital to ducks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When it comes time to feed your ducks strawberries, it\u2019s best if you\u2019re able to mash them or cut them into tiny bits. This point is particularly valid for feeding ducklings since you won\u2019t want to give them a choking hazard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2. Bananas<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s hard to think of animals that don\u2019t like bananas, especially since they\u2019re sweet and have a delectable texture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can guarantee that your ducks will love bananas. Like how you would prepare your strawberries, it\u2019s great to cut the banana up into small pieces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Alternatively, you can opt to mash it so that it\u2019s easy for them to eat. You could also consider making a fruit puree with all of their favorite healthy ingredients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3. Peaches<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Did you know that peaches are one of the best sources of niacin for your baby ducks?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a fruit that contains plenty of nutritional materials, it can be a phenomenal treat. With that said, they will require a little bit of extra preparation before they are ready to be given to your ducklings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You will want to make sure that you remove the pit from any pitted fruits, particularly peaches. This step is quite essential since fruit pits and seeds, such as those from cherries and apples, are toxic to ducks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s best if you\u2019re able to cut around the pit and then provide your animals with small chunks of peaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Baby_Duck_Feeding_Vegetables\"><\/span>Baby Duck Feeding: Vegetables<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1. Leafy Greens and Root Crops<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the most important things to remember with vegetables and leafy greens is that you need to prepare them adequately. You don\u2019t want to have excessively long pieces or strands of leafy greens that could get caught in their digestive tract.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Interestingly enough, ducks do not chew their food; therefore, all of their vegetables will need to be mashed or cut up small.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are several types of leafy greens and vegetables that your ducks are sure to love, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Swiss chard<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Salad Greens<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lettuces<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Turnip Greens<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cabbage<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Broccoli<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Beets<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Kale<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cut grass (without chemicals)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Radish<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Note, you shouldn&#8217;t give ducklings or ducks spinach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Later stage ducklings will enjoy greens you put in clean water. Tear them up and put them in the water. They&#8217;ll float, and the ducks will love getting them.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want an idea for an inexpensive way to keep your ducks fed, we recommend researching duck gardens. You can efficiently allocate a piece of your property to grow plants that your animals specifically love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With a duck-only garden, you can grow the vast majority of food that they will enjoy mainly for free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Cucumber<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Cucumber is one of the top tier items that your ducks are bound to love. There are a ton of vital nutrients in cucumber, including vitamin C, vitamin K, magnesium, manganese, vitamin A, fiber, and potassium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But what it\u2019s most known for is its high concentration of water, which can be beneficial to your ducks\u2019 digestive systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When you\u2019re preparing cucumber, you must make sure that it is peeled and raw. As ducks do not chew their food, you won\u2019t want them having to gnaw through cucumber skin without eating it properly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They\u2019ll especially love it if you cut it up into small cubes that are easy for them to eat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone wp-image-66428 size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/rurallivingtoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/what-to-feed-ducklings-1.jpeg\" alt=\"what to feed ducklings\" class=\"wp-image-66428\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rurallivingtoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/what-to-feed-ducklings-1.jpeg 1000w, https:\/\/rurallivingtoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/what-to-feed-ducklings-1-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/rurallivingtoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/what-to-feed-ducklings-1-768x512.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Do not feed ducklings bread.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3. Peas<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Even though you might have hated peas as a kid, your baby ducks love them. You\u2019ll want to make sure that you opt for fresh peas from the store or frozen peas. You can give ducks frozen peas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Peas are commonly known to be an excellent treat for ducks, especially if you\u2019re training. They\u2019re small, easily digestible, and a strong motivator for having your ducks listen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Also, since they\u2019re so simple to manage, you can throw them to your ducks throughout the day. They will also enjoy corn kernels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>4. Zucchini<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Similar to cucumber, zucchini is mostly known for its high concentration of water content. However, it also has plenty of other benefits such as carbs, fiber, vitamin A, and manganese.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ll want to prepare it exactly as you would with a cucumber by peeling the skin and cutting the vegetable into small pieces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What we love about this vegetable is that it opens the door for a unique wintertime recipe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead of feeding it to your ducklings raw, you can make vegetable soups by putting it in a warm bowl of water. During the winter, they\u2019ll surely love their warmed greens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>5. Tomatoes<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>You can easily feed your ducks any variety of tomatoes, but you must ensure they do not eat any vines or leaves. The leaves and vines on your tomato plants are toxic to birds, so you\u2019ll want to prepare the flesh only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can easily cut large tomatoes into smaller pieces, and even if you have cherry tomatoes, consider cutting them in half.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a wonderful trick, cherry tomatoes are a sure-fire way to hide your duck\u2019s medication, especially in pill form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Consider raising&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/rurallivingtoday.com\/backyard-chickens-roosters\/indian-runner-ducks\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Indian runner ducks<\/a> which are reliable egg layers and wonderful for controlling insects when able to free-range.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_to_Feed_Ducklings_Alternatives\"><\/span>What to Feed Ducklings: Alternatives<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1. Waterfowl Starter Feed<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Ducklings should not have chicken starter feed. The ideal food for ducklings is a specially formulated waterfowl starter feed with everything they need for their proper growth and development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You will find waterfowl starter feed at feed stores and some hardware stores.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2. Eggs<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Eggs are one of the best ingredients on this list for protein, apart from bugs. The most important thing to remember is to cook the egg first. Scramble them or boil them. You don&#8217;t want the ducks to get a taste for raw egg and eat their own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Even though it might seem like a strange option, feeding your ducks boiled and scrambled eggs can significantly improve their diet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There is an ample number of farmers and breeders that say eggs are the best answer to what to feed baby ducks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Not only are they delicious, but they are also nutritious for your animals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have far too many eggs left over at the end of the season, you can put them to good use. If you\u2019re feeding an adult duck, you can keep the eggshells on the boiled eggs since they help provide extra calcium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For ducklings, though, remove the eggshells since they\u2019re far too tough for younger ducks to eat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If they were to consume eggshells, there\u2019s a likelihood they can experience digestive issues. Also, an excessive amount of calcium can negatively impact the growth of their organs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3. Duckling Treats<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Later stage ducklings can also be fed treats from time to time, but they should still be getting most of their nutritional needs met through their starter feed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re giving your ducklings treats, they must have constant access to sand or dirt (grit) to help them digest their food better. Like chickens, ducks have gizzards that grind up their food for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With that in mind, below is a list of treat ideas your ducks will love:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Treats to Be Limited<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>These treats should make up no more than 10% of their diet. Later stage ducklings can eat:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Dairy: Yogurt, cottage cheese<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fruit: Stick with softer fruit and mash them up to make it easier for the ducks to eat. Bananas and peaches will be greatly appreciated, as will apple sauce, but make sure it\u2019s an unsweetened variety<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Insects: Ducks will eat most insects, like snails and slugs, that you can find in your garden.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Earthworms, mealworms: These are a popular choice. You can buy them from bait shops or even start your worm farm.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Unlimited Treats<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>When it comes to greens, older ducklings can eat as much as they want, and they will love all sorts of leafy greens. A really great idea is to finely chop some greens and mix them in with their water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It keeps the greens fresher for longer, and your ducks will enjoy fishing them out. What&#8217;s more convenient is that you can feed them greens that you can find around your garden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That includes grass cuttings, weeds, and dandelion and clover flowers and leaves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Keep in mind, though, that you can only feed your ducklings greens from your garden if you haven\u2019t treated it with any chemicals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They\u2019ll also enjoy almost any fresh herb, so you can try oregano, parsley, dill, marjoram, basil, mint, sage, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can also feed them other leafy greens such as Swiss chard, kale, and lettuce, but avoid giving them too much iceberg lettuce since it can lead to diarrhea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You must also avoid feeding them spinach because it can disrupt calcium absorption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone wp-image-66427 size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"666\" src=\"https:\/\/rurallivingtoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/what-to-feed-ducklings-2.jpeg\" alt=\"what to feed ducklings\" class=\"wp-image-66427\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rurallivingtoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/what-to-feed-ducklings-2.jpeg 1000w, https:\/\/rurallivingtoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/what-to-feed-ducklings-2-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/rurallivingtoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/what-to-feed-ducklings-2-768x511.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">In the first 21 days, ducklings should only have waterfowl starter crumbles or pellets.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Not_to_Feed_Your_Ducklings\"><\/span>What Not to Feed Your Ducklings<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to spinach, other foods to not feed ducklings include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Adult_Layer_Feed\"><\/span>Adult Layer Feed<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Don\u2019t ever feed adult layer feed to your baby ducks, not even in emergencies. It has an extremely high calcium content for layers to produce healthy eggs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This calcium level is toxic to ducklings and other baby waterfowl, causing problems with their bones, liver, and kidneys. It can even lead to death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Shells\"><\/span>Shells<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>For the same reason, you should also avoid giving ducklings egg shells and oyster shells. Shells can be an excellent treat for your ducks, but only once they\u2019ve reached adulthood at around 20 to 21 weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Thus, once they\u2019ve reached 20 weeks, you can buy crushed oyster shells, crush up old seashells, or crush up their own eggs&#8217; shells to feed them with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Others_foods_ducklings_shouldnt_eat\"><\/span>Others foods ducklings shouldn&#8217;t eat<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Some of the food you should avoid giving ducks at any stage in their life include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Avocados<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Citrus fruits &#8211; this includes oranges, grapefruits, lemon, lime, tangerine, mandarin, etc.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Raw and dried beans<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Chocolate<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>White potatoes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bread<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Nuts<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Onions, leeks<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Popcorn<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Junk food, processed food<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Some of these foods are toxic to ducklings and ducks. You want to remember to feed ducklings nutritional foods as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Feed_Baby_Ducks\"><\/span>How to Feed Baby Ducks<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Using a proper feeder will ensure that the food stays as clean as possible and help you achieve minimal food wastage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Feeders reduce spillages and have a design that prevents the ducks and ducklings from stepping or standing on their food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Like chickens, if your ducks or ducklings can stand in it, they\u2019ll poop in it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Often_Should_Ducklings_Be_Fed\"><\/span>How Often Should Ducklings Be Fed?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Knowing how to feed ducklings is important, but for them to stay healthy, you must also know how often should ducklings be fed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Food\"><\/span>Food<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Ducklings digest food quickly, so they need to eat often, so the best way to feed them is by free choice and always having food available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can get away with feeding older ducks twice a day, but you should aim for a minimum of three times a day for your ducklings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You don\u2019t need to worry about ducks overeating since there is no such thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Water\"><\/span>Water<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Ducks drink a surprisingly large amount of water, <a href=\"https:\/\/rurallivingtoday.com\/backyard-chickens-roosters\/how-long-can-chickens-go-without-water\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">far more than chickens<\/a>. Therefore, your ducklings will need a constant source of fresh water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You should check it several times a day to make sure it hasn\u2019t run dry and refill even if it\u2019s not yet empty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When the ducklings are very young, the water source should also be very shallow since they are at risk of drowning. So, until the ducklings have most of their feathers, the water should be set up in a manner that they can\u2019t climb into it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_to_Feed_Ducklings\"><\/span>What to Feed Ducklings<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To begin baby duck feeding, start with waterfowl starter crumbles. If you know you have baby ducks on the way, it&#8217;s easy to stock up in advance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The duckling starter feed you choose for the first three weeks will contain the proper ratio of protein, niacin, calcium, vitamin D, and more. This will support your ducklings in their first weeks of life. Be sure to purchase waterfowl starter feed and not chicken starter feed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As they get a little older, after 21 days, what to feed ducklings changes slightly as they need less protein and amino acids. You can supplement the later stage duckling with fruits, vegetables, insects, earthworms, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/rurallivingtoday.com\/backyard-chickens-roosters\/can-ducks-eat-chicken-feed\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Can ducks eat chicken feed<\/a> &#8211; Duck Feeding 101<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/rurallivingtoday.com\/backyard-chickens-roosters\/how-to-build-a-duck-house\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">How to build a duck house<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/rurallivingtoday.com\/backyard-chickens-roosters\/duck-eggs-vs-chicken-eggs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Duck eggs vs chicken eggs<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>You need to know what to feed ducklings if you\u2019re considering raising or breeding ducks. Their dietary needs change depending on their age.&nbsp; Knowing what to feed ducklings is also important if you want to &#8230; <a title=\"What to Feed Ducklings to Meet Their Nutritional and Growth Needs\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/rurallivingtoday.com\/backyard-chickens-roosters\/what-to-feed-ducklings\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about What to Feed Ducklings to Meet Their Nutritional and Growth Needs\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":66429,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"disable-jtr":false,"wprm-recipe-roundup-name":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-description":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[81],"tags":[],"acf":[],"mv":{"thumbnail_id":66429,"thumbnail_uri":"https:\/\/rurallivingtoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/what-to-feed-ducklings-3-300x200.jpeg"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rurallivingtoday.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66426"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rurallivingtoday.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rurallivingtoday.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rurallivingtoday.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/17"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rurallivingtoday.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=66426"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/rurallivingtoday.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66426\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rurallivingtoday.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/66429"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rurallivingtoday.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=66426"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rurallivingtoday.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=66426"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rurallivingtoday.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=66426"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}