Can I feed my ducklings meatloaf, lasagna, etc?

[kaumlauf]

I have 2 ducklings, about 4 weeks old. They are really bored with the chick feed I bought for them at TS, and I mean bored....it's as if I've insulted them by offering it. They look at..then look at me, as if saying "This stuff again ? Really?" But they do love bugs, and I take them on "bug walks" at least twice a day. They eat sow bugs, snails, slugs and earthworms that appear when I turn over rocks and fallen , rotted logs. They also eat cooked cereal and cooked rice, peaches, pinapple and ice cream...A friend of mine said her ducks ate everything and anything...So, is it OK to give them food with ground beef in it? I'll take their pix and upload it..They are Blue Swedes....and really nice ducks. They have a friendly personality- but don't seem as smart as the Black Ducks we had a few years ago, which ate the chick feed w/o complaint.

 

[country_girl011]

i would say to wait until they are older to be feeding them that kind of stuff.
and icecream is not the greatest for birds.
they cant digest milk.
so i wouldnt feed them anymore icecream either.

 

[showcase7384]

My mallard is 7 weeks old and he eats peas (loves them) mac & cheese like it is going out of style, scrambled eggs, buttered bread (must be buttered), oatmeal and all bugs. He is so spoiled. He also has this need to try and eat all paper towels and toilet paper, its so cute. He doesn't get much of the human food but will no longer eat the feed so it is always a bug and worm hunt, I am now starting a worm bed just for him.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I have 2 ducklings, about 4 weeks old. They are really bored with the chick feed I bought for them at TS, and I mean bored....it's as if I've insulted them by offering it. They look at..then look at me, as if saying "This stuff again ? Really?" But they do love bugs, and I take them on "bug walks" at least twice a day. They eat sow bugs, snails, slugs and earthworms that appear when I turn over rocks and fallen , rotted logs. They also eat cooked cereal and cooked rice, peaches, pinapple and ice cream...A friend of mine said her ducks ate everything and anything...So, is it OK to give them food with ground beef in it? I'll take their pix and upload it..They are Blue Swedes....and really nice ducks. They have a friendly personality- but don't seem as smart as the Black Ducks we had a few years ago, which ate the chick feed w/o complaint.

Ice cream? they are going to have cavities

Their feed is balanced with just the nutrients they need to grow strong and healthy, especially their legs. Please offer treats at about 10% of their diet, rice and ice cream and even cooked ceral is not as healthy for them as their feed, and just like children which are allowed to eat junk food will turn up their noses at healthy food you are begining to see this in your ducklings. It's not their fault they don't want to eat their feed. Going on walks finding bugs and exercise is great for them but please cut out the human treats till they are back eating their feed again. and another thing if they get over weight that can cause a hole nother set of health issues. If you want to spoil them try offering frozen peas thawed out or thrown into their pool they will love them and it will be a healthy treat for them.

 

[kaumlauf]

Hey Thank you, everyone...this has been most helpful. The ice cream happened just once....it fell off my spoon, and guess what? A duckling was there to gobble it down. so, not to worry- I am not letting them get hold of ice cream again. I was surprised that they've eaten almost anything I put in front of them so far. I've also noticed that they love shredded lettuce, when it's tossed into their pool. I will fight the good fight and not succumb to spoiling them. Chick feed from the bag it is...for a long while, it seems.. So, stay away from all types of dairy products (cow?) They do love the hard boiled eggs and scrambled that they get as a treat too. I guess this is OK in small amounts?

 

[jessiduck]

I wouldn't suggest giving them bread either, as it can expand in their throats, resulting in asphyxiation.

 

[Tahai]

Dandelion greens are a great treat,and are healthier than just plain lettuce (not to mention free). Tear the leave up and toss them in the pool for an episode of duck TV.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Check out the stickies at the top of the duck area. There is a great list there for those looking for ideas of extras to give.

 

[Nsampsel]

Mine had taco meat today, just a couple spoonfuls for 14 ducks. So they each maybe got a taste if they were quick about it...lol Other than occasional mixed veggies (some give peas, I do mixed cuz that's what I have for the turtle & chickens), sometimes some fresh veggie scraps, an occasional dropped bagel chunk, ramen noodles the kids didn't finish the last few bites of or a couple spoonfuls of spilled dry cereal mine really HAVE to either eat the grass clippings I toss in their pen for a day or 2 after the yard is mowed or their duck food. I have taken to giving them a mixed feed tho as ducks & chickens both seem to like it better. I mix Purina Flock Raiser (has good Niacin content & 20% protein) with Broiler Reducer Mash (18% protein) and Chicken Scratch. Everyone scoops it right in. Much less waste than with just the Flock Raiser alone.

As for the amounts of extra foods I give them, a 1lb bag of mixed veggies lasts 2 weeks for a turtle, 51 Chickens & 14 ducks. So they are lucky to get a few billfuls a week. Table scraps are also usually 2-3 cottage cheese size containers split between all 3 pens per week (only 1 container every couple days). So again, a few bites each if they are lucky.

What they actually go nuts over is the grass clippings & their feed. I can toss them all the extras I want & they will still grab the grass 1st when they can. Dandelion greens & even the flowers they go nuts over too. Grass thick with clover goes over really well too. They seem to know the fruits & veggies & the greens/grass are best for them.

 

[Kevin565]

Are they getting additional grit? Human food can be very hard on a little duckling's stomach