Ducks can eat beets, this vegetable is very healthy and nutritious. This applies not only to the actual beet but also the leaves, stems and tops.
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Are Beets Good For Ducks?
Beets are good for ducks. The greens, roots, shoots and sprouts of beets are all nutritious to ducks. Beets contain many vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C and 9, iron, manganese and calcium. Beets also contain other essential nutrients that help with energy production within the body of ducks.
Manganese helps with bone formation, development and growth as well as plays a role in the formation of connective tissues.
Calcium exists in bones and teeth as well as blood and muscle tissues. It is necessary for strong beaks, bones and egg production.
Another important nutrient that beets contain is iron, which helps with the transportation of hemoglobin. This helps in the distribution of oxygen in the blood.
Vitamin C is necessary for building healthy muscle, tendons and ligaments. Vitamin C also helps with the formation of body tissue, while Vitamin 9 helps with the production of antibodies and white blood cells.
The Potassium contained in beets helps with the regulation of the fluid and mineral balance within the body of ducks. It also helps in the distribution of nutrients and energy to all parts of the body.
Can Ducks Eat Beet Leaves And Tops?
You shouldn’t discard the leaves and tops of beets because they also contain a variety of nutrients that will benefit your ducks, so don’t do the mistake of throwing them away!
Beside the presence of Vitamin A and C, beet leaves and tops are also packed with calcium, iron and folic acid.
What Should Ducks Eat?
Ducks should have a pretty diverse diet to ensure top health.
Ducks are omnivores animals, so there are a lot of foods they can eat. Here are some of the most healthy:
Vegetables: Vegetables are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals for your ducks, so you should make sure you feed them with fresh vegetables every day. The best vegetables for ducks are: Spinach and leafy greens (kale, lettuces, endive, beet leaves, swiss chard)
Grains: The grains you feed your ducks should be whole grains without any sulfur fertilizers added. Whole grains not only provide added nutrients, but also add interest to the diet of your ducks.
The best grains for ducks are: Whole wheat, oats, millet, cornmeal
Fruits: You can feed your ducks with most fruits, but those high in Vitamin C are the best. The best fruits for your ducks are: Apples, strawberries, bananas and grapes.
Herbs: Herbs are a great source of fiber and essential oils for your ducks. Herbs are also very easy to grow, so you can plant them just outside the fence of your duck pen. The best herbs for ducks are: Parsley, cilantro, chives, oregano and thyme.
Nuts: Nuts are a great source of protein for your ducks, but choose raw unsalted nuts to avoid adding extra fat in the diet of your ducks. The best nuts for ducks are: Almonds, hazelnuts and walnuts.
What Should Ducks Not Eat?
Not exactly everything that is good, or can be eaten by us, is also recommended for ducks.
While it is true that certain foods can be harmful or even fatal to a duck’s health, the list below is really just a recommendation. You should always ask your vet if you have any doubts, but I strongly recommend against feeding these to your ducks!
What is the food to stay away from?
– Citrus Fruits: Due to their high acidic levels will cause problems to their digestive system.
– Raw rice: I advise to always give them cooked rice and not raw, it could ferment in their stomach.
– Chocolate: yes, you read it right, chocolate is bad for your ducks because it contains toxic elements (caffeine) for ducks.
– Coffee: I know, it’s a little bit harder to imagine that the duck could eat coffee, but you should avoid giving them any.
– Eggshells: It can be healthy, but that might confuse them and lead to a wrong behavior: eating their eggs after being laid.
– Sugary and/or Salty Foods: ducks have a very low tolerance for salt and sugar.
