greens greens greens

[claudiaosk]

I am wondering - I probably have spoilt my 3 months old ducks rotten by feeding them greens everyday from the start - salad, green baby beans, potatoe leaves and dandeloines. They prefer this food (and cooked potatoes of course) anytime to their normal staple food (corn etc mix) from the wholesale. Now, as winter is approaching here, all this stuff (except potatoes) will not be readily available or horrendously expensive at the shops, and my question is: Are greens actually necessary for ducks to get through winter and stay healthy?

 

[Shellybob]

I am wondering - I probably have spoilt my 3 months old ducks rotten by feeding them greens everyday from the start - salad, green baby beans, potatoe leaves and dandeloines. They prefer this food (and cooked potatoes of course) anytime to their normal staple food (corn etc mix) from the wholesale. Now, as winter is approaching here, all this stuff (except potatoes) will not be readily available or horrendously expensive at the shops, and my question is: Are greens actually necessary for ducks to get through winter and stay healthy?

You can usually buy frozen peas throughout

 

[416bigbore]

Greens are not necessary as long as you are feeding them a good quality poultry feed that meets their daily nutritional needs.

 

[Ratchnick]

Greens are not necessary as long as you are feeding them a good quality poultry feed that meets their daily nutritional needs.

I can live on meat and potatoes but some greens would probably be good for my diet, if you catch my meaning. Also i think potato greens might not be good for them, containing the same compounds as raw potatoes.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Are they necessary? Not at all as long as your duck's are receiving properly fortified feed. However, if you would like a cheaper option you can get frozen peas fairly cheap and also things like carrots (I always buy the big bags, chop them up then steam them so they're soft). My ducks go absolutely nuts over frozen peas!

 

[ajohn151]

I purchased 50# of organic split peas fairly cheaply. I am giving then now as a treat and plan to give more in the winter so they have some variety in their diet. I am also planning to grow microgreens to give them. I think they will appreciate any variety in their diet you can offer them.

 

[TomCahalan]

Also i think potato greens might not be good for them, containing the same compounds as raw potatoes.

Raw potatoes don't have much solanine. Most forms of cooking due very little to reduce solanine, for example boiling only reduces it by 1%. If you want to reduce solanine, the best thing to do is peel them.

All other parts of the potato plant, especially the greens, contain high levels of solanine. They should not be given to ducks.

 

[claudiaosk]

You can usually buy frozen peas throughout

yes thats the one I buy BUT they cost a lot...

 

[Shellybob]

yes thats the one I buy BUT they cost a lot...

I stock up when on sale but, I hear ya

 

[claudiaosk]

Are they necessary? Not at all as long as your duck's are receiving properly fortified feed. However, if you would like a cheaper option you can get frozen peas fairly cheap and also things like carrots (I always buy the big bags, chop them up then steam them so they're soft). My ducks go absolutely nuts over frozen peas!

My ducks do about anything for peas (I meant actually peas in my thread, not beans...) and canned corn, but I was told thats not good for them because of the sugar content.
Being a new anxious "mum" I tend to give them a LOT of peas, so they are expecting them every day being creatures of habit. But thanks for the tip with the steamed carrots, I tried to give them fresh ones, cur up in tiny bits, they werent interested