Feeder fish minnows for ducklings?

[Fishkeeper]

Feeder goldfish can cause a vitamin deficiency if a predator fish eats a lot of them. It might be vitamin B? Something that gives them their color inhibits the vitamin uptake, if I remember right, and I'm not sure if that would extend to vertebrates. Feeder fish are generally infected with all sorts of parasites, also, and dosed with medications that may not be safe for your ducks.
Also, I'm not big on feeding animals that are able to feel pain to other animals while still alive. Yes, I know they'd do that in the wild, but this isn't the wild. You can kill things first.
If you absolutely have to give them fish, I'd go with those frozen bags of tiny fish. You can get those out of the fish food freezer at most pet shops. Given the size of the ducklings, though, maybe get frozen krill or shrimp instead.

For a treat with no welfare concerns (due to more than likely not feeling pain), I'd suggest mealworms. Live or dead are both fine.

 

[Jpat]

IDK if it really does... It smells like it... My dad is a plumber and that's what he said...so...

wowie i spose if d

Feeder goldfish can cause a vitamin deficiency if a predator fish eats a lot of them. It might be vitamin B? Something that gives them their color inhibits the vitamin uptake, if I remember right, and I'm not sure if that would extend to vertebrates. Feeder fish are generally infected with all sorts of parasites, also, and dosed with medications that may not be safe for your ducks.
Also, I'm not big on feeding animals that are able to feel pain to other animals while still alive. Yes, I know they'd do that in the wild, but this isn't the wild. You can kill things first.
If you absolutely have to give them fish, I'd go with those frozen bags of tiny fish. You can get those out of the fish food freezer at most pet shops. Given the size of the ducklings, though, maybe get frozen krill or shrimp instead.

For a treat with no welfare concerns (due to more than likely not feeling pain), I'd suggest mealworms. Live or dead are both fine.

The frozen cubes of blood worms are a huge hit at bath time and very high protein!

 

[Fishkeeper]

Also, that sulfur smell of sewer water comes from hydrogen sulfides, which are also released by rotting plants in stagnant water. A lot of ditches smell like that. Doesn't mean there's a sewer leak, that's just how they smell.

Oh yeah, blood worms (fly larvae named for their color, not parasites) are another great treat. Basically anything in the frozen fish food section is probably a good bet. My store keeps the frozen mice (snake food) there, which I think are too big for ducks, but are probably good treats for chickens. Little dinosaurs that they are.

 

[MROO]

If you want to feed fish to your ducks - and I do think that's a good idea, simply for the entertainment value - then I recommend raising guppies. They're inexpensive, they breed quickly and readily, and they are super easy-keepers. As a bonus, keeping guppies in your water tubs minimizes mosquito larvae ... ALWAYS a good thing, in my book!

 

[ldrchickens]

Feeder goldfish can cause a vitamin deficiency if a predator fish eats a lot of them. It might be vitamin B? Something that gives them their color inhibits the vitamin uptake, if I remember right, and I'm not sure if that would extend to vertebrates. Feeder fish are generally infected with all sorts of parasites, also, and dosed with medications that may not be safe for your ducks.
Also, I'm not big on feeding animals that are able to feel pain to other animals while still alive. Yes, I know they'd do that in the wild, but this isn't the wild. You can kill things first.
If you absolutely have to give them fish, I'd go with those frozen bags of tiny fish. You can get those out of the fish food freezer at most pet shops. Given the size of the ducklings, though, maybe get frozen krill or shrimp instead.

For a treat with no welfare concerns (due to more than likely not feeling pain), I'd suggest mealworms. Live or dead are both fine.

Ya I do know about the issues goldfish can cause to fish. When I had an Oscar a steered clear of them at all cost!

 

[ldrchickens]

Thank you guys! I think ill skip the fish and wait till they are older and they can catch heir own in our pond. Thanks for all the input! Greatly appreciated!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Wise decision!

 

[chickens really]

As a treat and not part of a daily diet it's not going to hurt them.....I'll continue to buy them for mine each summer.

 

[Bduckhappy]

My ducks love minnows . I buy em at bait shop. Then I put them in their kiddie pool. It’s enjoyable to watch how quick they catch and swallow them up lol