Muskan

· 30 Dec 2021

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What does duck eat?

Ducks belong to the Anatidae family of birds, which includes swans and geese. Ducks are not a monophyletic group, despite being in the same family. Ducks vary from chickens in that they have shorter necks and are smaller. In this article, we'll look at what ducks prefer to eat and what can you feed to your pet ducks.

What does duck eat?
Ducks eat a variety of vegetation and small animals as part of their omnivorous diet. Ducks in the wild can consume anything from 6 to 7 ounces of food per day. They have voracious appetites and spend most of the day foraging and hunting for food. Ducks' favourite foods include:
•    Aquatic plants
•    Aquatic animals (small fishes, Shrimps, etc.)
•    Small insects (worms, bugs, etc.)
•    Seeds
•    Berries
•    Grains
•    Nuts

Wild vs pet ducks

Wild ducks
Depending on their environment and evolutionary adaptations, different kinds of wild ducks eat different things. Some ducks prefer to eat seeds, and nuts, while others prefer to eat fish or molluscs. The shape of a duck's bill can usually tell you what kind of food it eats. Ducks with thin, serrated bills, for example, excel at catching fish, so they eat mostly fish, molluscs, and small amphibians. Ducks with flat, rounded beaks, on the other hand, are better at digging up plants and insects. A duck's diet will also alter with the seasons. Ducks will eat whatever food they can find in general, which implies they may eat less of certain items in the winter. Moreover, ducks feeding habits also depends upon their types. For e.g. Dabbling ducks feed at the water's surface and eat largely plants, insects, molluscs, roots, and tubers, similar to mergansers. Diving ducks, on the other hand, eat largely fish, insect, and shellfish such as crabs, clams, and mussels. Understanding the distinctions between species and their favoured meals is critical.

Pet Ducks
To keep a pet duck healthy, it’s necessary to offer it a balanced diet. A duck's diet can also vary depending on its age, gender, and whether it is laying eggs. For example, male ducks, or drakes, require a diet that is roughly 15 percent protein. Female ducks who aren't currently laying eggs are in the same boat. Laying ducks, however, require between 16 and 17 percent protein in their diet.
Most pet ducks will consume a pellet or crumbled diet containing all of the vital nutrients they require. They can, however, eat pellet food intended for parrots or hens. You should never give your pet duck a medicated chicken or parrot formula. Ducks can be poisoned by the ingredients in these medicinal formulas. Safe treats include:
•    Carrots
•    Non-citrus fruit
•    Corn
•    Peas
•    Cucumber
•    Uncooked oats or rice
•    Salted or flavored nuts
•    Citrus fruits
•    Avocado
•    Raw or dried beans

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