ducklings eating their poop????

[arup]

I've been trying to find an answer on this but no such luck... every time I let my ducklings play in the water they always poop in it and then for the next 10 minutes they just sit there and try to eat it!

I'm constantly watching them and changing the water every 5 minutes so that they don't eat it... help!!

And advice or input on why they're doing it, if it's bad for them, or if they're missing something in their duet to make them stop... or if this is just completely normal????

Thanks!!

 

[marcelineduckie]

I've been trying to find an answer on this but no such luck... every time I let my ducklings play in the water they always poop in it and then for the next 10 minutes they just sit there and try to eat it!

I'm constantly watching them and changing the water every 5 minutes so that they don't eat it... help!!

And advice or input on why they're doing it, if it's bad for them, or if they're missing something in their duet to make them stop... or if this is just completely normal????
Thanks!!

How old are they? My ducks haven't done that but I only have 2 they could just be odd ducks, haha, I do normally throw thawed peas or dandelion leaf pieces in the water for them to dabble and snack on though. Could just be a stage, I am not sure if it's unhealthy or not I couldn't imagine it being the best thing but I think they'll be fine. All ducks drink their bath water what's the difference between drinking and eating it right? Do you give them.any form of niacin? And what do you feed them now?

 

[Orca5094]

Very normal duck behavior, unfortunately. It's like they think the poops are treats someone just tossed in. lol! Never had any ill effects on my ducks and they have all done it.

 

[arup]

@marcelineduckie they are about 4-6 weeks right now... I feed them a chick starter feed non medicated and they get meal worms as treats.. the 2 feed stores I went to told me that they didn't have niacin and they didn't need it as long as the food was non medicated. It's like a field day for them when 1 of them poops in the water.. they run over right away to get it... but they don't eat their poop plant other time really, just in the water.

 

[arup]

@orca50 Thanks!! I'm just glad they won't get sick from it or anything... I'll try tossing actual treats in there so maybe they'll be distracted from their poop

 

[marcelineduckie]

Aweh they are big babies, so sweet I fed my older duck she's 5 weeks, meal worms and oh my did her poop stink haha! Have you checked out the sticky for the Ultimate list of treats and supplements? So many awesome treat ideas my pekin seemed a little.lazy like she couldn't walk very far she always lady down, I used the same kind of food as you, I started putting a tablespoon of powdered brewer's yeast in every cup of food and now she is much more active and walks around a lot more, even stands while eating sometimes!

 

[WaddlesBubbles]

Very normal duck behavior, unfortunately. It's like they think the poops are treats someone just tossed in. lol! Never had any ill effects on my ducks and they have all done it.

My ducks also try to eat their poop, which is gross. I asked their vet and they said that eating their poop will cause them no harm unless they start eating all of their poop.

 

[soupsi]

My ducks also try to eat their poop, which is gross. I asked their vet and they said that eating their poop will cause them no harm unless they start eating all of their poop.

my duckling (swedish white) 2 weeks old has been eating almost every poop in sight. can u tell me what u mean by “unless they start eating all of their poop” thanks