Finicky ducks won't eat their veggies... help!

[Deleted member 94844]

OK. So our ducks have been exceptionally hungry the past few weeks -- demanding food more than twice a day -- so I've decided to start feeding them more veggie snacks. Their favorite snacks are butter lettuce and hard boiled eggs, so I wanted to try more nutrient-rich vegetables and fruits. First of all, any fruit I've tried to feed them is flat-out refused. They will eat diced watermelon, but that is it. Berries, apple, mango, not interested. They love tomatoes, but it gives them horriffic red poop, so I try to avoid it. Today I tried shaved brussels sprouts and a baby lettuce salad. They nibbled at it and lost interest. Sometimes it looks like they WANT to eat it, but it just falls out of their mouth... like they can't get it down the hatch. Anyone else ever have this problem? Should I try chopping everything up really small? The butter lettuce is served in chunks, which could be why they like it.

 

[Deleted member 94844]

Forgot to mention, they are fed a large scoop of Mazuri Waterfowl Maintenance twice a day (breakfast and lunch) and forage for bugs in the yard. I occasionally give them night crawlers and whatever grasshoppers I catch... which they go nuts for.

Oh, and their pond is also stocked with feeder fish that they dive for...

 

[Deleted member 94844]

Anyone? For those who give peas, do you feed them fresh or frozen? I can't find a good source of fresh peas... any insight appreciated!

 

[Luminide]

I'm having some troubles with this too. My pekins weren't offered greens before I had them, and now they want nothing to do with food that isn't their standard feed or dog food.

I -can- help you with the peas though! Just buy a bag of regular frozen peas, they don't need to be fresh. I suggest dropping them in some warm water, then straining them out after a few minutes. That seems to work better than microwaving. Don't want to burn their mouths.

 

[Deleted member 94844]

I'm having some troubles with this too. My pekins weren't offered greens before I had them, and now they want nothing to do with food that isn't their standard feed or dog food.

I -can- help you with the peas though! Just buy a bag of regular frozen peas, they don't need to be fresh. I suggest dropping them in some warm water, then straining them out after a few minutes. That seems to work better than microwaving. Don't want to burn their mouths.

Thanks so much... glad I'm not the only one! Have you tried feeding them hard boiled egg? Mine go psychotic when they see me coming with that bowl!!

 

[Luminide]

Thanks so much... glad I'm not the only one! Have you tried feeding them hard boiled egg? Mine go psychotic when they see me coming with that bowl!!

I haven't, actually! They do seem to have a taste for more savory food, I bet they'd love those. I'll give it a try tomorrow. Thank you! ;D

 

[Deleted member 94844]

...they want nothing to do with food that isn't their standard feed or dog food.

Ha! My ducks will also sneak in the house and eat the dog's kibble... I'll hear "BAP-BAP-BAP-BAP-BAP!!!" Funny.

Just chop up the eggs in big chunks with the shells on. Hope they like it!

 

[Going Quackers]

I free feed my ducks, there is feed available all day long, then they free range, rarely do they get anything else, i do offer whole grains on occasion and will toss greens in the winter but otherwise no.

How many ducks? my peas are frozen i thaw them. If i can manage to grow any i give them those too but i need the energy to make a garden which is in short supply this year lol

 

[Deleted member 94844]

How many ducks? my peas are frozen i thaw them. If i can manage to grow any i give them those too but i need the energy to make a garden which is in short supply this year lol

We have two... who also decimated my kitchen garden. Won't touch the chopped cabbage I feed them, but nibbled all the leaves off my red cabbage plants they could reach... and the bottom 18" of snap pea shoots. Bad ducks!

 

[Amykins]

Have you tried strawberries, green beans or sprouted wheat? Wheat sprouts are like DUCKY CRACK to my sister's flock.