Bushes/Plants For Ducks

[DrakeMom]

I'm wanting to plant some plants and/or bushes in Zephir & Kephir's pen for them to play and hide in. What are all ya'lls opinions on what to plant? I have loads of calla lillies that I've been thinking on transplanting... Are those safe for them? If not, what is and what do all ya'll think would make them happiest?
Also I want a variety, as in some that are nutritious and some that are there for playing/hiding but don't hurt for them to do a taste test on if they want to.

 

[Loopeend]

I have a page on it, but it is in Dutch...(making a reminder to translate it in English) But I don't think the calla lilly (Aronskelk/araceae) is an safe plant. As I recall. All kind of lilly's and kelk's, orchids and irisses aren't.

With grasses you are often safe. They are often also sturdy. So they can can handle some duck-shenannigans.

Sidenote; If you can eat it it is often safe when in doubt.

 

[Beer can]

If you have a pond, or pool for them, duck weed, really high in protein.

 

[Loopeend]

"Within the Araceae, genera such as Alocasia, Arisaema, Caladium, Colocasia, Dieffenbachia, and Philodendron contain calcium oxalate crystals in the form of raphides. When consumed, these may cause edema, vesicle formation, and dysphagia accompanied by painful stinging and burning to the mouth and throat, with symptoms occurring for up to two weeks after ingestion."Wikipedia

There are also edible verieties in the Aracea family that are staple food in some places. Ducks stomaches can handle more then our stomaches. Just like the nightshade family, where some are poisonous, some are not, some parts of it are and some parts of the plant are not; to be safe I would choose from a plant-family that does not have this sometimes-poisenous in it; when you have the choice to go for a plant-family that is safe all-around.

 

[Lynxfire]

I had Calla Lillies but the ducks ate them. I have had to block them off from my Canna Lillies and Elephant Ears but they try to sneak in on windy days since that makes my temporary fence weaken. They even ate the lower branches of my Showtime Azaleas at first but they must have discovered that they aren't good for them. Lillies are usually poisonous. I definitely want to follow this post for safe plants for shade.

 

[DrakeMom]

Awww! All ya'll are SO helpful! Thanks so much! I'm trying to not be lazy now and trynna do my own research... Tell what all ya'll think about these plants: pampas grass, liriope grass, miscanthus grass, japenese forest grass (my fav. so far), blue festuca grass, and blue oat grass. I of course wouldn't get all them! I definitely want to get duck weed but... the pool that I have for them is the largest size of ''kiddie pool'' you can get and I'm kinda dubious about how it's all gonna work out for me to clean it out once a week and keep the duck weed in there... I really want to buy an old canoe off craigslist and make that into a duck pond!

 

[Duckworth]

My ducks like basil. Consider growing your plants inside a chicken wire “cage” so that your ducks can eat the ends of the stems that come through the wire without decimating the whole plant. They also love clover and Swiss Chard. I have thought about growing clover in a mortar mixing tray and putting chicken wire over it so that the ducks can eat what grows up through the wire and leave the rest of the plants to keep generating new clover leaves.

 

[Claires Poultry]

I'm wanting to plant some plants and/or bushes in Zephir & Kephir's pen for them to play and hide in. What are all ya'lls opinions on what to plant? I have loads of calla lillies that I've been thinking on transplanting... Are those safe for them? If not, what is and what do all ya'll think would make them happiest?
Also I want a variety, as in some that are nutritious and some that are there for playing/hiding but don't hurt for them to do a taste test on if they want to.

Hello there! My Muscovy ducks really like spinach, lettuce, and kale.

 

[CrystaBub]

I see Leriope grass is on your list. I have that around my duck run and in several places in the yard and around the pond. I love it because it's a tough plant that really holds up to the ducks. They nibble on it but don't eat the entire plant, and it holds up to them walking over it. They can also noodle around the roots and it doesn't seem to bother the plant at all. Make sure to send pics of whatever you decide to plant so we can see your great work!

 

[DrakeMom]

Ohhh... all ya'll have such great ideas! Thanks SO much for your time and support!