Duck Friendly Options?

[CayugaJana]

Hello Everyone

I have 6 ducks in my fenced in back yard. It’s about 1/2 an acre. They are free to roam during the day. This is my first year to have them. I’ve looked at lists of toxic plants for birds and unfortunately it’s most of the plants in my backyard. I have azaleas, roses, day lilies, lilies, calla lilies, tulips, monkey grass,crepe myrtles, and probably many others I can’t remember. But most of those are not good for ducks. Other than digging every one of my plants up, is there something I can plant for the ducks? I’ve seen them eat the leaves off azaleas and they are still alive, but I don’t know how much they will eat before it effects their health.

 

[Tannerpauldean]

While I am still fairly new to ducks, I do have some knowledge related to goats and poisonous pasture plants. Typically they will avoid poisonous plants so long as there are delicious and edible alternatives.

I have many of the plants you have listed in my yard within reach of my 6 ducks. They don't seem too interested in them yet, although the season is just starting. I plan to plant some mixed lettuce this weekend just for them, and will periodically add other treats for them as well. I hear they like sprouted wheat...

Adding plants, such as lettuce and wheat, can draw their attention away from the poisonous plants. Plant mild greens, rather than strong herbs, for maximum effect.

 

[lazy gardener]

I have not had ducks in about 35 years! (I really need to fix that deficiency some day!) But, my chicken flock does free range when I am around to protect them from the many hawks. I am not at all concerned about what my birds eat in my yard, and I'm sure there are lots of toxic plants: lupine, iris, peony, and of course the famous and dreaded rhubarb are among the top contenders. My birds do not bother the first 3 plants. However, every fall when I let them clean up my garden, they make a bee line for the rhubarb. They completely skeletonize those poisonous rhubarb leaves. Never had a chicken die from eating rhubarb leaves! So, I trust that my birds know more than I do about what they should and should not eat. That being said, I would not knowingly put poisonous plants in their run, if that was the only greenery available for them to munch on.

 

[Tannerpauldean]

I have not had ducks in about 35 years! (I really need to fix that deficiency some day!) But, my chicken flock does free range when I am around to protect them from the many hawks. I am not at all concerned about what my birds eat in my yard, and I'm sure there are lots of toxic plants: lupine, iris, peony, and of course the famous and dreaded rhubarb are among the top contenders. My birds do not bother the first 3 plants. However, every fall when I let them clean up my garden, they make a bee line for the rhubarb. They completely skeletonize those poisonous rhubarb leaves. Never had a chicken die from eating rhubarb leaves! So, I trust that my birds know more than I do about what they should and should not eat. That being said, I would not knowingly put poisonous plants in their run, if that was the only greenery available for them to munch on.

Agreed. I think it is all about providing alternatives. They know what they can and cannot eat, sometimes better than we do.

 

[CayugaJana]

Thanks guys. I have generally had your attitude towards the toxic plants in the yard but I’ve been second guessing myself since I see them nibbling on my azalea bushes everyday...... Planting some lettuce is the exact plan I had in mind! I also have a greens house so I can plant some all year and leave it for them. I give them other treats like mealworms, vegetables, catfood, but the do love digging in the dirt for their food!

 

[lazy gardener]

My ground is frozen still, but every now and then, I find a big ol fat cut worm that has somehow worked his way up out of the ground. I found one curled around some cat nip sprouts in the flower garden today. One of my girls was very happy.

 

[CayugaJana]

I planted some bulbs this weekend in my flowerbeds. While digging, the girls enjoyed some worms too. Last summer they got to where they would hover over me and watch for worms while I was planting.