Is the taste of domestic duck meat influenced by what the ducks eat?

[rugbyandpoultry]

We are raising ducks (Pekin) for the first time. They spend their days in the swamp eating goodness knows what, and their nights in the chicken coop and probably snack on some flock grain at night and in the mornings. We love wild ducks and assume there's nothing wrong with the swamp menu, but wanted to double check. Thanks!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

ALL meat flavor is influenced by what the animals eat. Perhaps some animals and their foodstuffs work together better than other pairings.
Egg flavor is influenced by what birds eat.
Venison taste is affected by what deer eat
Deer eating in an apple orchard will taste better than those dining on quinine bush.
and so on and so on.

 

[rugbyandpoultry]

Right, but the question is does swamp eating negatively impact the taste of domestic duck?

 

[CayugaJana]

I know the more snails and worms they eat, the fishier the eggs taste. But don’t know if that applies to the meat.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Right, but the question is does swamp eating negatively impact the taste of domestic duck?

It depends on what is out there to dine on. Just being in a swamp doesn't tell you what they are eating.
The fact that they are eating in a swamp means that there is a plethora of forage - some things enhancing flavor, some negatively affecting flavor.

 

[casportpony]

Welcome to BYC!

 

[Jpat]

We are raising ducks (Pekin) for the first time. They spend their days in the swamp eating goodness knows what, and their nights in the chicken coop and probably snack on some flock grain at night and in the mornings. We love wild ducks and assume there's nothing wrong with the swamp menu, but wanted to double check. Thanks!

I was wondering this exact thing myself

I think a few weeks before the harvest iam going to feed all natural foods like vegitables and fruits

 

[house.of.ducks]

I don’t eat my ducks lol but I do know that most meats flavor is definitely influenced by what the animal eats. Also I’ve noticed that my duck’s eggs tend to vary slightly I taste depending on what snacks I’ve been feeding them lately.

 

[rugbyandpoultry]

It depends on what is out there to dine on. Just being in a swamp doesn't tell you what they are eating.
The fact that they are eating in a swamp means that there is a plethora of forage - some things enhancing flavor, some negatively affecting flavor.

Thanks! So, in your experience if the swampy foods make a mixed bag of taste, do you keep them penned in a few days before butchering and feed them grain and veggies?

 

[rugbyandpoultry]

I was wondering this exact thing myself

I think a few weeks before the harvest iam going to feed all natural foods like vegitables and fruits

I just can't bring myself to take them out of the pond/swamp. They have so much fun and eat lots of bugs and plant stuff. Keeping them cooped up just seems mean. But, if it means the meat would taste better, I'd get over it.