Ducks and mud puddles

[rainplace]

Here we go:

The group of waterfowl know as the dabbling ducks includes 10 species that commonly occur in Canada...<snipped>...This group of birds feed at or near the surface by filtering food items such as invertebrates, seeds and other plant materials from the water. This feeding behaviour is referred to as "dabbling" and dabbling ducks can frequently be seen 'tipping-up', or tipping up-side down, in the water to reach food at the bottom of a pond. All dabbling ducks have bills that are specially designed to remove food particles from the water using plates aligned along the edge of their bill, much like the baleen of whales.

Found here:
http://www.sfu.ca/biology/wildberg/species/dabbducks.html

 

[TK Poultry]

mine just play in it and they are a mess all its done her since september it seems like is rains so mine are over it they like to sift it threw their bills and get lil goodies my sister hasnt given them like they dont get treats enough!! but its a duck thing like fish in water..........ducks in puddles!

 

[waterfowlrescue]

water brings bugs to the surface. ducks dont like rain, they just like the fact all the bugs in the yard come up to get air while its raining. It makes for a nice buffet dinner.

 

[FenDruadin]

I've been wondering whether they might also gain important nutrients--maybe minerals?--from the bits of mud and soil they ingest while sifting for succulent critters. Anyone know?

 

[classroomducks]

I've heard of pregnant women craving dirt when they were lacking in minerals so maybe that could be it.

 

[Wildsky]

my ducks love it when I empty a water bucket.... and under the taps on the side of the house - they end up making little holes where they root around in the mud looking for goodies...

 

[rainplace]

Quote:
I think they do. I can't put my finger on a source right now, but I think I remember something about having to add something to their diet if your soil lacks something... off the top of my head I'm thinking selenium... but I can't say that with certainty.

 

[Wifezilla]

That's it..selenium

 

[chickensioux]

My ducks love it when I empty their pond. The water runs down a small hill and they come running from all over the yard to dabble in the "river" that runs down that little hill. So silly....ya gotta love em.

 

[TK Poultry]

Quote:
mine do to