What Ducks Should Eat

1. For their first 2 weeks of life, ducklings should be on a good quality chick starter.  (Non-medicated is recommended)
2. At 2 weeks old they should be switched over to a good quality starter/grower made especially for ducks.
3. At 18 weeks old they can be switched over to a good quality duck/waterfowl pellet.

I always recommend people feed their duckling frozen peas. Thawed first of course. Peas contain niacin, a much-needed vitamin for proper leg development. Ducks absolutely love peas, and it’s a good way to get them used to eating from your hands.

Ducks also love other vegetables, fruits and weeds.  Chop them up, throw them in a tub of water, and they’ll go nuts!

Here’s a list of safe vegetables and fruits your ducks can eat:

1. Peas, frozen not canned
2. Romaine Lettuce
3. Any kind of lettuce, except iceberg
4. Any kind of squash
5. Zucchini
6. Cucumbers
7. Broccoli
8. Kale
9. Cabbage
10. Swiss Chard
11. Collards
12. Pumpkin
13. Corn, fresh or frozen, not canned
14. Root veggies such as sweet potatoes, beets, turnips, carrots, radishes, and parsnips
15. Watermelon
16. Grapes- cut in half
17. Ripe tomatoes but limit them.
18. Bananas
19. Berries
20. Pears, fresh not canned
21. Peaches, fresh not canned
22. Grains: grains such as cooked white rice, wheat, corn, and oats.

*Sweet Potatoes: in the winter I chop sweet potatoes and boil until soft so they are easier for my ducks to eat. Also, when cooking things like sweet potatoes, rice, and scrambled eggs - do not add salt or butter.

Weeds Ducks Can Eat: (none that have been sprayed with weed killer!)

1. Clover
2. Dandelion (my duck's favorite!)
3. Fat Hen
4. Mugwort
5. Oxalis
6. Plantain
7. Purple Deadnettle
8. Purslane
9. Smartweed
10. Wild Strawberries
11. Wild Violets

Ducks also need Oyster Shell. It takes a lot of calcium for ducks to lay eggs. This can deplete the calcium they need for strong bones, so they need Oyster Shell to keep this from happening.  Ducks know when they need it, so I always keep some available in a bowl for them.

Last but not least – Bugs! Ducks love worms, slugs, and any other insects.

Chick Starter/Grower for 2 weeks.

Duck Starter/Grower from 2 weeks until 18 weeks old. 

Duck pellets after 18 weeks old.

Oyster Shell for Calcium.

White Clover

Red Clover

Purslane

Plantain

Mugwort

Oxalis

Dandelion