My ducks eating small rocks

[mommakurk]

We have small 3/4 pea gravel rocks in and around coop as it is working great for easy clean up & drainage but ive been seeing them eating the rocks!! Is this ok/normal???

 

[Amiga]

I have heard of one case of a duck eating so much grit that it did not have room for food. that is a really extreme case.

Are they just occasionally eating one or two pieces, or really nomming down and filling up?

They need to eat some gravel and sand so they can chew their food.

Do they get water and food 24/7? Or is there a specific feeding time?

 

[Avlana]

Yes it's fine. Ducks don't have teeth and are unable to chew their food. So small stones, or grit, offer them help in digesting food. You can add a dish of grit in there for them so they can help themselves to it.

 

[mommakurk]

They get both water and food all day, i will just notice them, eating some and was hoping they weren't too big or plug things up

 

[Miss Lydia]

They get both water and food all day, i will just notice them, eating some and was hoping they weren't too big or plug things up

I'd offer them some grit in a bowl maybe that would keep them from sampling the larger bits.

 

[Going Quackers]

I'd offer them some grit in a bowl maybe that would keep them from sampling the larger bits.

Agreed, even though most of my ducks free range, i keep grit out for them.