YES, there is actual food for DUCKS!
I recommend for your duck's health & nutrition the purchasing of Duck Food.
Mazuri is a company that sells food for Ducks. Scroll down this page for more information on Mazuri.
I recommend for your duck's health & nutrition the purchasing of Duck Food.
Mazuri is a company that sells food for Ducks. Scroll down this page for more information on Mazuri.
Natural Foods my Ducks LOVE & is healthy for them to eat!
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Vegetables & Bugs
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Fruits & Other
Other Good Proteins
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Duck Food
for their eggs and muscles.
to the water drinking and dunking bowl. 1 table spoon per gallon. Aids in calcium absorption. And MANY other amazing health benefits for ducks! |
an IMPORTANT fact to know. A Duck/s can eat & eat.
Sometimes when you feed them, they act like you have never fed them before! Don't worry!! They are just greedy!
Foods that are NOT good for your pet Duck/s.
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Human food (don't feed them off your plate)
Fatty human foods cause LIVER DAMAGE in ducks. They will die from it!! |
JUNK FOOD is not good for humans it is also not good for Ducks.
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Simply: Processed foods and Junk foods do NOT give your duck/s the nutrients it or they need to thrive. No nutrients leads to disease, deformities, and death. Side note: Treats. Ex. A cracker can be a treat. A treat is one or two, given to your pet duck/s ever so often. Giving your duck a treat is different than feeding your duck crackers/ junk/ human foods as part of their daily diet and eating habits. |
additional information on Duck Food
Purchase Duck Food:
A GREAT company called MAZURI makes Healthy & Nutritious food for your pet duck, under the category Avian and Waterfowl.
My ducks love the food! This avian waterfowl food is highly recommend by all three of Jack Jack and Rocket's Vets. Which is a big comfort to me!
You should let your duck try it.
You can call and ask for help, the Customer Service Staff is a human speaking and they are helpful.
Mazuri Co. sells their duck food in 50lb bags. My two ducks go through 50 lbs of food in three months. You do not have to join or become a member.
You also have the option to pay with Paypal. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this company!!! (please note: I do not make money off this company, I wish! I just want the best for our pet ducks.)
Medicated Food?
Multiple websites will say NOT to feed your Duck "medicated food". You will get very confused on different opinions on this topic surfing the web. In My opinion, Nutrition is very important!!! What I have learned about "medicated food", it is for baby chicks as in Chickens. Because baby chicks are prone to diseases when they are small. Medicated food helps aid baby chicks avoid having these diseases. Ducklings are NOT Chicks. Ducks are NOT Chickens. Medicated food is not needed for ducklings. Give your duckling, non medicated starter feed. Please see photo below, I have a sample picture.
Chicken feed?
As I stated before, Chicken feed is not duck food, yet both chickens and ducks are able to eat it. I have talked to many duck owners and they say their ducks are "happy" eating chicken feed. My inner question is, "Or is that because your duck doesn't know any better and are not given a choice for their diet??" I think folks who keep their chickens and ducks together, go with Chicken feed because it is readily available, more common, and some may say cheaper. But does easy, readily available, & cheaper equal your duck/s health and growth?? I don't think so, but that is me.
My advice: Buy duck food. I choose to buy actual duck food because I want the best for my ducks. If I had chickens would I feed them duck food?? No, I would give them chicken feed. So why is it accepted the other way around?? Asking advice and opinions from stores like Tractor Supply, "Easier" and "cheaper" don't explain the outcome of low nutrients, deficent diet, and poor health for your pet duck/s down the road. This is my opinion and I am sticking to it, Ducks NEED duck food. Chickens need chicken food.
This is one you have to decide upon as a duck owner.
Rocks, pebbles, & grit ?
If your duck is out side and has access to dirt, they will collect tiny rocks and pebbles on their own. If you keep your duck in doors, you will need to provide them with some form of grit. I sprinkle a non-clay pigeon grit into their water dishes and pool. This form of grit has little pieces of shell, ash, and ground pieces of stone. My ducks also collect little rocks on their own from the garden and back yard. This helps keep their digestive tract working at its best. Ducks need little rocks, pebbles, or grit for their gizzard. The gizzard along with "grit" help break down and absorb the nutrients from the foods your duck eats. GRIT IS VERY IMPORTANT to your ducks health!!
Clean drinking water & depth?
When my ducks were growing I gave them bottled water. Now that they are older I give them water from the tap and hose.
GOOD ADVICE: Ducks need to be able to clean out their duck bills and nostrils. Regular & daily clean water is important for your ducks health. How much water? How deep of a bowl? Have a bowl that is deep enough for your duck to submerge its whole face or head into. The water NEEDS to be deep enough that your duck can dunk its nostrils and eyes under the water. I use thick tupperware and I also have large ceramic bowls for them. I change their water bowl two times a day, once in the morning and late afternoon. If their water bowl is dirty (filled with muddy water, dry grass, & leaves) before they go to bed I will clean it out and give them fresh clean water.
Clean duck bill = good health.
If your duck's bill is noticeably dirty and their nostrils have debri in them you will need to get your duck to dunk their bill in water and clean it out.
I take my finger and swish it back and forth in their water bowl and say, "bath" . If they don't understand what you are doing, tap their duck bill and swish your finger in the bowl of water, and say "bath" until they wash their face and bill. This usually works. If it doesn't it could be because they are being stubborn. If or when they are stubborn, I will put the ducks in their kiddie pool and then that usually gets them to wash out their duck bill.
WHAT HAPPENS if you as a duck parent do not make sure they learn this important habit?
Any trapped debri especially when they are ducklings that are growing at a rapid rate, this debri can create breathing issues while their duck bills are growing.
You need to be able to see through your duck's nostrils. If their nostrils are blocked or if they are producing a goop that could be like "snot" your duck is sick with an infection and you need to take them to the vet.
If your duckling is sneezing, it is a good indication that they have something caught in their nostrils (dandruff, food, or bedding material) and need to clear out their nostrils. You can pull what ever is blocking their nostrils with your fingers or by dipping their head into deep water dish so they can blow out their nose. They seem to do this naturally when you give them a deep water bowl or pool they can swim in.
Do your best to show your duckling how to clear out their nostrils. You can try the finger swishing technique I described above, or maybe even dunk your head in the water to show them how to blow out their nose. Ducklings are taught by their mothers. You are now their mother, you need to teach them somethings, and this is one of them.
You are their duck parent. Your duckling is learning from you.
They do not hatch knowing what is good for them. Your duckling needs you to teach them.
How much to feed your adult pet duck?
No one has told me, nor have I found any info on the internet with a precise measuring. Their vet knows their diet and they have not objected so I guess I am good. This is Jack Jack and Rocket's ADULT feeding schedule:
In the morning the ducks get two measuring cups of Duck food.
They get an afternoon snack, ( 12 pm - 2 pm )
Before bed time they get one cup of Duck food. (6pm)
They can have all the bugs and grass they want on their own.
SPINACH?? I heard its bad for ducks, is it???
YES, spinach is not good for your duck or duckling. WHY? Well let me tell you what my research has discovered and keep it simple.
Spinach robs your duck from calcium. Calcium is important for your ducks, especially Female ducks. Calcium for their egg shells, their bones, their wings, and MUSCLE development! Why is muscle development so important?? Well one very important muscle is your females egg pushing and poop pushing muscles. If these muscles are weak they can lead to MANY health issues for your female duck and male duck, and yes, they all lead to a horrible death. Who knew, right? Well, I didn't until I did mass research on the topic. Because...
I was pro- spinach with a splash of unpasteurized apple cider vinegar. AS OF now, I am most definitely NOT for spinach!! This is your choice as a duck parent. As for me I will never feed my ducks spinach again. PLEASE DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH. This is my choice as a duck parent.
UPDATE:
I recently received an email from an individual wanting proof of my research and where I got my information. And a long list of their OPINIONS.
This person stated that they have done "years" of research on the topic of Spinach / no spinach and they stated there is no proof that it is bad for ducks. As this person requested, I sent them my data and where I found my information.
YET, when I asked for their data.....you guessed it....crickets...nothing. I mean you think after years of research they would be happy to share their important findings, right???
Anyway, I mention this event to all of you, so you can understand how important it is to do YOUR OWN research and YOU DECIDE what is best for your pet duck/s.
My ducks love the food! This avian waterfowl food is highly recommend by all three of Jack Jack and Rocket's Vets. Which is a big comfort to me!
You should let your duck try it.
You can call and ask for help, the Customer Service Staff is a human speaking and they are helpful.
Mazuri Co. sells their duck food in 50lb bags. My two ducks go through 50 lbs of food in three months. You do not have to join or become a member.
You also have the option to pay with Paypal. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this company!!! (please note: I do not make money off this company, I wish! I just want the best for our pet ducks.)
Medicated Food?
Multiple websites will say NOT to feed your Duck "medicated food". You will get very confused on different opinions on this topic surfing the web. In My opinion, Nutrition is very important!!! What I have learned about "medicated food", it is for baby chicks as in Chickens. Because baby chicks are prone to diseases when they are small. Medicated food helps aid baby chicks avoid having these diseases. Ducklings are NOT Chicks. Ducks are NOT Chickens. Medicated food is not needed for ducklings. Give your duckling, non medicated starter feed. Please see photo below, I have a sample picture.
Chicken feed?
As I stated before, Chicken feed is not duck food, yet both chickens and ducks are able to eat it. I have talked to many duck owners and they say their ducks are "happy" eating chicken feed. My inner question is, "Or is that because your duck doesn't know any better and are not given a choice for their diet??" I think folks who keep their chickens and ducks together, go with Chicken feed because it is readily available, more common, and some may say cheaper. But does easy, readily available, & cheaper equal your duck/s health and growth?? I don't think so, but that is me.
My advice: Buy duck food. I choose to buy actual duck food because I want the best for my ducks. If I had chickens would I feed them duck food?? No, I would give them chicken feed. So why is it accepted the other way around?? Asking advice and opinions from stores like Tractor Supply, "Easier" and "cheaper" don't explain the outcome of low nutrients, deficent diet, and poor health for your pet duck/s down the road. This is my opinion and I am sticking to it, Ducks NEED duck food. Chickens need chicken food.
This is one you have to decide upon as a duck owner.
Rocks, pebbles, & grit ?
If your duck is out side and has access to dirt, they will collect tiny rocks and pebbles on their own. If you keep your duck in doors, you will need to provide them with some form of grit. I sprinkle a non-clay pigeon grit into their water dishes and pool. This form of grit has little pieces of shell, ash, and ground pieces of stone. My ducks also collect little rocks on their own from the garden and back yard. This helps keep their digestive tract working at its best. Ducks need little rocks, pebbles, or grit for their gizzard. The gizzard along with "grit" help break down and absorb the nutrients from the foods your duck eats. GRIT IS VERY IMPORTANT to your ducks health!!
Clean drinking water & depth?
When my ducks were growing I gave them bottled water. Now that they are older I give them water from the tap and hose.
GOOD ADVICE: Ducks need to be able to clean out their duck bills and nostrils. Regular & daily clean water is important for your ducks health. How much water? How deep of a bowl? Have a bowl that is deep enough for your duck to submerge its whole face or head into. The water NEEDS to be deep enough that your duck can dunk its nostrils and eyes under the water. I use thick tupperware and I also have large ceramic bowls for them. I change their water bowl two times a day, once in the morning and late afternoon. If their water bowl is dirty (filled with muddy water, dry grass, & leaves) before they go to bed I will clean it out and give them fresh clean water.
Clean duck bill = good health.
If your duck's bill is noticeably dirty and their nostrils have debri in them you will need to get your duck to dunk their bill in water and clean it out.
I take my finger and swish it back and forth in their water bowl and say, "bath" . If they don't understand what you are doing, tap their duck bill and swish your finger in the bowl of water, and say "bath" until they wash their face and bill. This usually works. If it doesn't it could be because they are being stubborn. If or when they are stubborn, I will put the ducks in their kiddie pool and then that usually gets them to wash out their duck bill.
WHAT HAPPENS if you as a duck parent do not make sure they learn this important habit?
Any trapped debri especially when they are ducklings that are growing at a rapid rate, this debri can create breathing issues while their duck bills are growing.
You need to be able to see through your duck's nostrils. If their nostrils are blocked or if they are producing a goop that could be like "snot" your duck is sick with an infection and you need to take them to the vet.
If your duckling is sneezing, it is a good indication that they have something caught in their nostrils (dandruff, food, or bedding material) and need to clear out their nostrils. You can pull what ever is blocking their nostrils with your fingers or by dipping their head into deep water dish so they can blow out their nose. They seem to do this naturally when you give them a deep water bowl or pool they can swim in.
Do your best to show your duckling how to clear out their nostrils. You can try the finger swishing technique I described above, or maybe even dunk your head in the water to show them how to blow out their nose. Ducklings are taught by their mothers. You are now their mother, you need to teach them somethings, and this is one of them.
You are their duck parent. Your duckling is learning from you.
They do not hatch knowing what is good for them. Your duckling needs you to teach them.
How much to feed your adult pet duck?
No one has told me, nor have I found any info on the internet with a precise measuring. Their vet knows their diet and they have not objected so I guess I am good. This is Jack Jack and Rocket's ADULT feeding schedule:
In the morning the ducks get two measuring cups of Duck food.
- The ducks are Up and Out at 6am. We have two duck food bowls that they share. One cup of food per bowl.
- 3 deep bowls of clean water. IMPORTANT Water bowls need to be deep enough for them to submerge their entire head in. Two of these bowls go with a bowl of duck food. The other one is placed in the yard where they like to dig and search for bugs.
They get an afternoon snack, ( 12 pm - 2 pm )
- usually a sliced Roma Tomato they share one. ( I serve by their pool or by clean water so they can wash their duck bills.)
- A handful of lettuce tossed in each water bowl. I go through a head of red leaf or romaine lettuce a day. Ducks will eat the whole head of lettuce! DO NOT throw out the heal. Your ducks will eat it to a nub.
- You can pick dandelion leaves for them or show them its good to eat and they will find these "weeds" on their own and eat them. By you picking it and giving it to your duck you are teaching them it is good for them. Dandelions are good for your ducks' heart and overall health. Eat up!
Before bed time they get one cup of Duck food. (6pm)
- One bowl of duck food for both of them to share and a deep bowl of clean water.
They can have all the bugs and grass they want on their own.
- (all day)
- I keep water (tupperware) in areas around the yard so the ducks can wash their bills and keep their duck bills and nostrils clean. and free from dirt and debre.
SPINACH?? I heard its bad for ducks, is it???
YES, spinach is not good for your duck or duckling. WHY? Well let me tell you what my research has discovered and keep it simple.
Spinach robs your duck from calcium. Calcium is important for your ducks, especially Female ducks. Calcium for their egg shells, their bones, their wings, and MUSCLE development! Why is muscle development so important?? Well one very important muscle is your females egg pushing and poop pushing muscles. If these muscles are weak they can lead to MANY health issues for your female duck and male duck, and yes, they all lead to a horrible death. Who knew, right? Well, I didn't until I did mass research on the topic. Because...
I was pro- spinach with a splash of unpasteurized apple cider vinegar. AS OF now, I am most definitely NOT for spinach!! This is your choice as a duck parent. As for me I will never feed my ducks spinach again. PLEASE DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH. This is my choice as a duck parent.
UPDATE:
I recently received an email from an individual wanting proof of my research and where I got my information. And a long list of their OPINIONS.
This person stated that they have done "years" of research on the topic of Spinach / no spinach and they stated there is no proof that it is bad for ducks. As this person requested, I sent them my data and where I found my information.
YET, when I asked for their data.....you guessed it....crickets...nothing. I mean you think after years of research they would be happy to share their important findings, right???
Anyway, I mention this event to all of you, so you can understand how important it is to do YOUR OWN research and YOU DECIDE what is best for your pet duck/s.
other IMPORTANT topics:
Feeding wild ducks at the park or local lake. Should you??
It is unlawful to feed any WILD ANIMAL. ALL Parks have Park Rangers & care takers, (including rescue teams).
My advice on this topic: Please! read your City Laws or talk to a Park Ranger in your City. You have the freedom to do what you want and except any consequence to your actions.
Please note: there is a difference between wild ducks that fly into your local park from season to season and fly out VS. pet ducks that have been dumped and abandoned at the local park or lake. The difference between these ducks are wild ducks can fly away and keep migrating but abandoned ducks can not fly away.
Feeding "DUMPED" pet ducks at the park. Should you??
When duck owners dump their domesticated, family raised "pet" duck at a local park, lake, or pond, thinking their duck is going to okay.
It won't be. Okay, think again!
If you are at a park and a duck or goose walks up to you, it is a sure sign they were once a pet raised by humans. Their owner didn't want to care for them on a daily basis and decided it was best to "dump" and abandon their pet duck at the park in hopes and illussions their "wild insticts" will "kick in".
These dumped ducks are begging for food because they are starving. These ducks are so hungry they will eat anything that is given to them. I hope you feed them one of the healthy foods from the list above: Natural foods ducks love and are good for them to eat, section at the top of this page. Bring your vegetable ends to the park, chop or tear them up so it is easy for them to eat . Don't toss out the corn cob, bring it to the park to feed the ducks. Bring your broccoli stems, and lettuce ends. Melon rinds as well. Leave the bread at home. Any fresh "garden" foods. They might follow you home. :)
PLEASE NOTE. YOU CAN STILL GET "in trouble" from park rangers or park care takers. THIS IS YOUR CHOICE!! I am only giving advice, you can take it or leave it.
Feeding wild ducks at the park or local lake. Should you??
It is unlawful to feed any WILD ANIMAL. ALL Parks have Park Rangers & care takers, (including rescue teams).
My advice on this topic: Please! read your City Laws or talk to a Park Ranger in your City. You have the freedom to do what you want and except any consequence to your actions.
Please note: there is a difference between wild ducks that fly into your local park from season to season and fly out VS. pet ducks that have been dumped and abandoned at the local park or lake. The difference between these ducks are wild ducks can fly away and keep migrating but abandoned ducks can not fly away.
Feeding "DUMPED" pet ducks at the park. Should you??
When duck owners dump their domesticated, family raised "pet" duck at a local park, lake, or pond, thinking their duck is going to okay.
It won't be. Okay, think again!
If you are at a park and a duck or goose walks up to you, it is a sure sign they were once a pet raised by humans. Their owner didn't want to care for them on a daily basis and decided it was best to "dump" and abandon their pet duck at the park in hopes and illussions their "wild insticts" will "kick in".
These dumped ducks are begging for food because they are starving. These ducks are so hungry they will eat anything that is given to them. I hope you feed them one of the healthy foods from the list above: Natural foods ducks love and are good for them to eat, section at the top of this page. Bring your vegetable ends to the park, chop or tear them up so it is easy for them to eat . Don't toss out the corn cob, bring it to the park to feed the ducks. Bring your broccoli stems, and lettuce ends. Melon rinds as well. Leave the bread at home. Any fresh "garden" foods. They might follow you home. :)
PLEASE NOTE. YOU CAN STILL GET "in trouble" from park rangers or park care takers. THIS IS YOUR CHOICE!! I am only giving advice, you can take it or leave it.
for a closer look you can CLICK ON the photos below
When I first got Jack Jack and did not know anything about raising ducks. I purchased this feed at a animal supply store. It lasted only three weeks so buy two bags. PLEASE note, that was for one duckling. If you have more ducklings buy more bags.
I am a messy eater, so mom made this handy plastic dish holder thing a ma bob. I now, get two water dishes. One for my duck food and one to wash my bill to keep it clean. I am starting to eat fresh chopped up & shredded veggies for a treat.
I love eating ice! It is fun and keeps me cool on a hot day. Thanks Mom!
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I love my baby duck food from Mazuri. I get two teaspoons mixed with water so it is mushy. I also have a bowl of fresh water so I can wash my face. My mom gives me bottled water because she is paranoid.
After a long breakfast in the garden I like to take a nap.
The Best treat of all, Fish! We love diving and splashing around.
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CLICK ON PHOTO TO TAKE YOU TO THE WEB PAGE OF DUCK FOOD. The big bag of Mazuri duck feed I purchase. Please note. After I ran out of the Starter Pro feed/ Tan bag. I went to my vet and bought Mazuri Starter duck food. Ducklings eat duckling food until they are about 18 weeks old. Call company for help ordering if you are unsure. Humans answer the phone.
And then I wake up and start all over looking for bugs.
I love the strawberries that grow in the front yard!
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