Blueberries are loved are both humans and animals. On most occasions, when walking in the woods, market, and farms and noticing this bite-sized juicy goodness, we try as much as we can to get a bite out of it.
The distinctive and attractive color of these berries is not the only good thing about them, the sweet taste of the berries also accounts for why it is consumed so much in certain parts of the world.
It is said that about 690 million pounds of blueberries are harvested and utilized each year with some eaten raw and others converted into much more durable products. That's how much we love berries and so it makes perfect sense to wonder if our pets and animals can also join us in consuming such delicious treats.
Can Ducks eat Blueberries?
Yes, ducks can eat blueberries but should be fed to them in moderate portions. This is because blueberries contain about 85% of water and when eaten in large quantities, they can cause diarrhea in ducks. Diarrhea in turn can cause dehydration which would then result in nausea and dizziness.
So it would be safe if you closely monitored how often your ducks eat blueberries and other berries in general to avoid a high mortality rate among them.
Health Benefits of Feeding Ducks Blueberries
Blueberries are the perfect package for ducks, with their perfect bite-sized body, sweet content, and nutritional content. Ducks love to eat and munch on them whenever they can and with good reason. Ducks will eat berries whole, sliced, including the top and bottom. So let’s talk about what health benefits the ducks can get from consuming blueberries.
Minerals
Blueberries contain important nutrients like copper, manganese, calcium, and iron. These nutrients are specifically important in the proper development and growth of ducks.
They also help ducks lay eggs with strong and healthy shells, where deficiency of these nutrients would lead to the ducks laying abnormal and soft-shelled eggs.
Vitamins ( E, B6, and K1)
Vitamins are essential nutrients whose importance cannot be over-emphasized in both animals and humans. Blueberries contain many vitamins including but not limited to vitamins C, B6, E, and K1.
Vitamin C helps in relieving stress in birds and helps them in the production and laying of high-quality eggs, especially when they can't produce their vitamin C
Vitamin B6 aids in the proper and healthy growth of ducks
Vitamin E
Vitamin K1 helps in the proper growth of bone development in birds and ducks.
Note: Even with its high nutritional content, blueberries still contain an awful amount of water, and consumption of too much by ducks can lead to diarrhea which would in turn cause dehydration and eventually dizziness, nausea, and fainting spells.
How to feed ducks Blueberries
Blueberries are delicious no doubt about that and ducks would gorge themselves on them whenever and however they can. It doesn't take a bunch of them much time to consume a whole bowl of it, but as with humans, too much of everything is not good.
So, how do we feed them blueberries in a way that doesn’t compromise their health and nurtures their immune system?
Place them on the ground
Ducks are natural forgers and placing blueberries in the ground could mimic their natural environment which would nurture their instincts to hunt. Also, it is very good exercise for them to burn extra calories and get rid of any extra body weight they may have accumulated from lounging and sitting around.
Foraging for a duck is almost the same as hunting is for humans. It keeps them strong, agile, and healthy while they source these delicious treats.
Place them in water
Most duck owners would agree that ducks love to eat food placed in water. It also mimics their fishing and hunting instincts and it’s a fun activity for both the humans and the ducks munching on the berries.
Placing the berries in water also helps to decrease the possibility of them becoming a choking hazard because the water helps to soften up the food as they chew.
Make a smoothie out of it
Not only do they come as perfect bite-sized snacks, but they also can be made into slushies or smoothies for the ducks to enjoy. You could make it an addition to other blends of fruits and vegetables to make it more balanced in terms of its nutritional value.
You can mix it with fruits and vegetables like carrots, other berries, bananas, oregano, etc. Feel free to experiment with the smoothies, it only adds to the whole experience. As long as the smoothies do not contain toxic substances, they should be fine for consumption.
Make Salads
Mixing the blueberries with vegetables like kale, spinach, oregano, bay leaf, etc., definitely increases the nutritional value in comparison to just bare blueberries
Feed them fresh and raw
Blueberries should be eaten fresh and raw. It is possible to cook the berries but it's not very enjoyable for the ducks to eat. Also, do not feed ducks with moldy and spoilt berries. No one like spoilt foods, so if you would not like a bunch of cranky and angry ducks quacking after you, it would be best to feed them with fresh and raw blueberries.
Can Ducklings eat blueberries?
Ducklings within the age of 4 weeks and below should be fed almost exclusively on their designated diet of duckling pellets. Giving or adding anything else asides from the designated food could gravely impair their immune and digestive system.
After they’ve crossed the 4 weeks of age, blueberries can then be given in extreme moderation and only as treats.
Conclusion
It would be a terrible thing to let your ducks miss out on the sweet taste of blueberries so you can allow them as treats but in moderation.
Ensure you get the berries while they are fresh and raw, so the ducks get the full nutritional benefits. Do not feed your ducks with moldy or spoilt berries.
If you do this, we are quite sure you would have very happy ducks quacking their happiness and appreciation at you, all day long.
Can Ducks Eat Carrots?
Can Ducks Eat Beans?
