Mint is a common herb that is used in many household recipes, it grows easily and is not considered a poisonous plant. It is also used for medicinal purposes and has many benefits.
But, can ducks eat mint? yes, ducks love this herb, and does not cause any harm to them, they for sure will enjoy it.
Ducks will find the mint useful to keep them cool in hot weather, it’s definitely a good addition to their diet, but, when you are planning to feed your ducks with this herb, make sure that you do not give them too much of it.
They can be fed with small pieces of the leaves or sometimes, especially when the temperature goes up, it’s a good idea to disperse some of the leaves in their pond to make a refreshing effect!
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Health Benefit Of Mint For Ducks
Mint not only gives a refreshing sensation due to the menthol but also has a lot of health benefits such as being a great source of antioxidants and other vitamins, being low in calories, and having no cholesterol.
These are some other great benefits of consuming mint:
– It helps in digestion and relieves constipation.
– It also has a positive effect on the immune system, helping it to fight against bacteria and viruses.
– Mint also has a good effect on the stomach and digestive organs.
– Helps with their eyesight, as it makes them blink less often and helps in their vision.
– It’s a natural insect repellent.
– Helps in lowering the risk of getting heart diseases and high blood pressure.
– A good source of vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin A, C, E, B1, and B2.
So for me, it’s a no brainer! Mint is an herb that can be used for both human and animal use, you should definitely feed it to your ducks, they will thank you!
Can Baby Ducks Eat Mint?
Yes, both baby ducks (or duckling) and full grown ones can eat mint plants and leaves. There is nothing to suggest that they might react differently to the herb. The only difference that I can think of is since ducklings have a less developed sense of taste they could eat too much for their own good!
What Other Herbs Can Duck Eat?
Ducks can eat a large variety of herbs, either by eating them directly by picking them or by having pieces of leaves mixed in their feed. There are many herbs that are great for ducks, some of which include:
– Parsley – This herb has a very pungent smell and is often used as a condiment. It’s beneficial for the digestive system, the liver, and the heart.
Parsley is also beneficial for the eyes by way of its high vitamin C content, a great antiseptic that kills bacteria and mosquito larvae through its strong antiviral properties.
– Thyme – Also known as the common thyme, this herb is very strong in taste and can be used as a seasoning or added to their food.
This herb has different properties such as anti-bacterial, antispasmodic, carminative, and relievers of indigestion.
– Fennel – This herb is often used as a garnish or part of the dish itself. It’s not something that you’d want to feed to your ducks on a regular basis though, as it can have a very strong flavor.
Fennel is a tender perennial herb that has effectively been used as antihistamines, insecticides, and insect repellents
– Rosemary – This herb has very distinct flavors and can be used to add flavor to their food. Also has an excellent aroma when dried. The health properties of rosemary are attributed to its high antioxidant properties.
It has been shown to have a protective effect on the body against free radical damage, thus playing a significant role in longevity.
– Sage – This herb is very strong in taste and can be used as a seasoning or added to their food.
Sage has a lot of medicinal properties, and they’ve been used for hundreds of years. This is because sage has antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, sedative, and antiparasitic properties.
These are only some of the herbs that are known to be good for ducks and some of the ones that I have personally used.
In Conclusion
Yes, you should feed your ducks mint, they will be happy for the taste and the cooling sensation and also their health will improve, of course, like I often say everything has its role, herbs should be a nice supplementation in their balanced diet.
Anyway, you can’t go wrong with any of the herbs that I listed before, they are very common and easy to grow.
Credits: Picture from pixabay.com
