When we think about a ducks’ diet, weed is not the first thing that comes to mind, so what if your ducks have access to clover, should you be worried?
Can ducks eat clover? Yes, they can eat clover, but they should not be eating it in large amounts. In the right proportions, they will benefit from it and will not become sick or suffer any negative effects.
In the wild ducks actually eat a lot of weed type plants, so it is natural that they would also eat clover. Clover is a low-growing plant with a sweet taste, so it is not surprising that ducklings love to munch on it.
In moderation, clover can make a good addition to your duck’s diet. It is high in protein and minerals (calcium and iron). It also has lots of vitamins A and C and is high in starch and even though it has a sweet taste, it also contains a lot of fiber, which is essential for good digestion and a great detoxifier.
Table of Contents
Can Ducks Eat Clover Seeds?
They can, even if seeds consumption, in general, is better to stay on the lower side, as they can make your ducks sick.
But, if mixed with their feed, they will for sure enjoy them and get the benefits!
What Other Types Of Weed Can Ducks Eat?
Ducks will eat any type of weed if presented in front of them, but let’s take a look at what are the most beneficial ones other than clover:
Moss: it brings a lot of benefits. It is an excellent source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals (calcium, magnesium, iron) as well as a good source of protein.
A few studies have shown that it can help to increase egg production and fertility in ducks.
Crabgrass: it is a good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals (calcium, iron) and it is also a good source of protein. It can help to keep ducks healthy as well as maintain their immune system.
Horsetail: it contains a lot of fiber, which has beneficial effects on the body. It is also rich in Vitamin A and C.
Meadowsweet: this plant contains a lot of Vitamin A, which is essential for your ducks’ health. This plant can be used to feed your ducks if you are too busy or don’t want to spend too much time around the yard or garden.
Duckweed: it is a great source of Vitamin A, and it is also a good source of fiber, iron, and other minerals.
How Much Weed Should I Give My Ducks?
Weed is an excellent feed for your ducks, but the amount you give them depends on the size of your flock and their age, and also on the type of weed you are giving them.
For example, if you have a small flock that just hatched from eggs, you don’t need to give them as much weed as adult ducks that have been eating it for a while.
Weeds like clover are better suited to young ducks than plants with small leaves like dandelions or thistles because they can be easily eaten by the younger ducklings. However, if they grow too big or they don’t eat enough weeds, they may become dangerous for your ducks because they will cause digestive problems. Also, make sure that you feed your ducks only weeds from a clean place.
What Type Of Weed Is Poisonous To Ducks?
They can pretty much eat almost any type of weed, but not every type, you should be careful and be sure that your duck avoids the most poisonous plants.
One of the most common types of weeds that ducks avoid is the common henbit (Lamium amplexicaule), which is also known as “nettle”, “nettle weed”, or “prickly snotweed”.
The leaves and stems of this plant are covered with tiny barbs, which can easily cause anaphylactic shock in your ducks.
The roots of wild carrots (Daucus carota) can also cause severe damage to the duck’s digestive system if they are eaten in large quantities. The seeds of this plant are very poisonous; they contain a toxin called “carminic acid”.
Another common weed that can cause problems is the “couch grass” (Elymus repens). The leaves and stems of this plant are covered with tiny barbs, which can easily cause anaphylactic shock in your ducks.
In Conclusion
Ducks can definitely eat clover and other types of weeds, but they should only eat them in reasonable quantities, and clover, being a low growing plant is easily accessible, so you should keep an eye on the quantity that they ingest.
You should really consider introducing it in small quantities to their feed, down here are some additional benefits:
- Clover is considered safe for people because it contains no toxins or chemicals that can harm your health or cause damage to your body.
- Clover has the ability to help maintain healthy digestive systems in birds.
- Clover can be used as a natural medicine by giving it to your ducks as a supplement instead of giving them pills or shots that can be harmful to their bodies in the long run.
