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

[house.of.ducks]

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.

If I were you I would give them the best life you can up until a week or so before butchering them and then give them the fruits and veggies of your choice. Of course I may be a bit biased because I’ve only ever kept my ducks as pets and for eggs but even then I never really cared so much about the eggs lol.

 

[Lazy Farmer]

ALL meat flavor is influenced by what the animals eat.

We feed our feeder pigs top grains and acorns. It costs more and we sell for more.
When people ask ???, We tell them you are what you eat, pigs are not different. If you want to buy a pig that tastes like prison cafeteria dumpster scraps and dog food, shop elsewhere. But- if you want quality low carbohydrate introduced meat with a nutty ascent taste, we have something for you.
When they say a pig is a pig we just stop listening.

 

[rugbyandpoultry]

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We feed our feeder pigs top grains and acorns. It costs more and we sell for more.
When people ask ???, We tell them you are what you eat, pigs are not different. If you want to buy a pig that tastes like prison cafeteria dumpster scraps and dog food, shop elsewhere. But- if you want quality low carbohydrate introduced meat with a nutty ascent taste, we have something for you.
When they say a pig is a pig we just stop listening.

So...not sure where we got onto pigs. I was wondering if anyone has had experience with free-range ducks who spend a lot of time on the pond/swamp. Pros and cons? I understand about meat flavor and how it relates to what the animal eats (we've butchered hogs). I was hoping someone on this page might have first-hand experience with eating free-range ducks.

 

[Lazy Farmer]

So...not sure where we got onto pigs. I was wondering if anyone has had experience with free-range ducks who spend a lot of time on the pond/swamp. Pros and cons? I understand about meat flavor and how it relates to what the animal eats (we've butchered hogs). I was hoping someone on this page might have first-hand experience with eating free-range ducks.

Roger that.. It was an agreement to the previous reply of ALL MEAT is effected by diet. Ducks/chickens/turkeys/cows..
So if you want a direct answer directly to your question, DO NOT FREE RANGE if you don't like the taste of wild animals. Your ducks will taste gamey. If the eat certain things not associated with conventional feed, by all means you will have tainted meat. If you keep them in an environment where the diet is controlled, you will have a better tasting product.
On the bright side, you won't have to remove bird shot out of your supper.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

X2
Swamp food isn't one thing. If you don't follow them around and identify each thing consumed, it is a crap shoot.
Best bet would be to confine them for two or three weeks before planned slaughter and feed the diet of choice.