Feeding ducks fish

[cottagechick]

I have read somewhere that you SHOULDN"T feed ducks fish because it will make the eggs taste off. I have also read that you should have a pond stocked with fish so that you can reduce your feed bill... are there mild fish that won't effect the taste of the eggs too much?

 

[duckdad]

I've never heard that fish effect the eggs...I guess someone with a world class palet might notice something...but I've never heard of anything like that. Ducks are vegetarians for the most part BUT they will eat minnows & bugs out of necessity. The minnows are more fun for the ducks...they love to watch their food swimming around for a while. Mine weren't sure what to do with minnows at first. They looked at the fish, looked back at me and I walked away thinking I was going to have to throw the fish in the pond...5 minutes later..no fish! Just a couple ducks wanting to take a nap.

I can;t see how that could be a problem unless they ate fish everyday, and a LOT of fish or only fish. I wouldn't worry too much over this.
Things like minnows, certain treats and other foods that ducks will eat, does not mean they are supposed to have it everyday. Once a week for fish and they're fine, I would think.

 

[Kevin565]

I know plenty of people who allow their ducks to eat fish. I believe it may give the eggs a "marshy" taste. Also if you plan on feeding them fish please buy from a reputable seller. Tainted fish can cause illnesses in ducks.

 

[fisharescary]

You could certainly feed it to non-layers, and to the layers during the off-season. That's what I did, just to be sure. But that was really just as a special treat for them and us, not really any kind of attempt to keep the food bill down.

 

[lovesduckies]

I feed mine gold fish once in awhile! They LOOOOOOOVE chasing them! so much that they chase fish that aren't there lol. I love watching them go after fish too it's cute. My handiquacked duck can't catch them so I pick them up and hand feed them to her.

I have never heard it is bad to feed ducks fish. They eat them in the wild..