Eating everything

[becky72]

My 3 n a half wk old ducklings r picking all sorts up in the garden, like small stones, mud, weeds will they b ok, as u can tell I'm new to this

 

[Tivona]

Ducks and ducklings need grit to help digest their food. That is why they are going for the small stones. The mud is fine, that is because they are ducks. I have mine in my garden too. Most weeds are very good for them. Things like most grasses, dandelion, cats ear, purple dead nettle, plantain, mallow, lamb's quarters, purslane, and others are a great way to save on the feed bill plus increase the health of the birds. The one thing you might want to do is make sure plants that you don't want damaged are fenced off as well as anything poisonous. Mostly they have good instincts as to what is safe and good to eat but things can happen. If you have questions on what sort of plants are not safe you can try Googling the name of the plant with the word edible or the word toxic.

Here are a few lists that I have used but they don't have everything so if your not sure try searching online like I said.

http://www.plannedparrothood.com/plants.html
http://www.birdsandmore.com/toxic_plants.html
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=15+1912&aid=2236
https://beautyofbirds.com/toxicfoods.html


I assume you are feeding some sort of pellets for them but the greens they forage are very good for them too. I really wouldn't worry to much but do take a list of the stuff you know is out there and check it according to the lists. If something you have is listed as toxic then try fencing it off and do some research on the plant to get a better idea of if you need to perhaps pull it or just leave it.

Somethings like garlic or onions are safe in very small quantities but toxic at larger amount so you just have to watch to see if its nibbled and left versus gobbled. Other plants are potentially very bad, like Castor Beans or Oleander. For the most part if its bad for them they will avoid it. I have seen my birds try to take a bite of something and spit it out because they knew it was a toxic thing to them.

Also many of the plants that are listed only have one part that is dangerous like for peach trees. Ducks are not going to gnaw on the bark or wood and the seeds are to big to be of interest. The fruit itself is safe and that is what they will go for, so its safe despite having toxic parts. Remember that some of the lists are made for birds like parrots that like to chew on wood. The list helps owners know now to bring in peach limbs or whatever for their parrot to chew on.

Basically don't worry. Keep feeding waterfowl or growers pellets. Get them some grit, if you can, so they have better size grit to help digest. Do a check on any plants you feel might be an issue. Fence off any that are listed as toxic that are really bad or that they show interest in.

 

[becky72]

Thank you so much that has eased my worrying mind, yeah there on grower pellets and they have boiled egg, banana n peaches as a treat xx