The Duck Thread

[Tevyes Dad]

Happy Valentine's Day from my flock to yours.

 

[Sarkchick]

Question to all duck people. Do you feed your ducks spinach?? I have been, (it's mixed with kale) should I stop?? Thank for any opinions

 

[Amiga]

Question to all duck people. Do you feed your ducks spinach?? I have been, (it's mixed with kale) should I stop?? Thank for any opinions

I have read that too much spinach can interfere with calcium uptake, but I don't recall how much is too much. To be safe, I don't. I also have a few ducks who have trouble processing calcium to begin with.

This is from the Sticky https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/242460/the-ultimate-list-of-duck-treats-and-supplements

Spinach-
There is debate about whether or not spinach should be given to ducks. Spinach can reduce the amount of calcium absorbed by ducks bodies, which can cause egg binding issues in females. Even if you feed your ducks calcium, like oyster shells, eating spinach in large amounts or often, can hinder calcium absorption, and cause your ducks to have very little or no shells are their eggs. If a duck has little or no shells on their eggs, they get stuck inside, usually resulting in death. If you decide to give your ducks spinach, it should be limited to small amounts on rare occasions. (perhaps this would be better to do during the non-laying season).

 

[tracyjg]

I feed mine both spinach and kale and corn cucumber zucchini squash corn peas green beans lettuce.tomatos thats all I can get them to eat.

 

[Sarkchick]

@Amiga

Thank you. That is what I found. I think I will stick to the kale.

 

[Sarkchick]

I feed mine both spinach and kale and corn cucumber zucchini squash corn peas green beans lettuce.tomatos thats all I can get them to eat.

I have been feeding about the same. But have been reading about bad effects of spinach. And with my problems with this hatch, I think I will stop the spinach.

 

[Amiga]

More spinach for you and me!

 

[Sarkchick]

Yes. We eat a lot of spinach. The little ones have had mashed hard boiled egg and finely chopped kale. That's how I got Pretzel to start eating. Sprinkled the goodies over the crumble. I guess he liked the colors.

 

[casportpony]

Question to all duck people. Do you feed your ducks spinach?? I have been, (it's mixed with kale) should I stop?? Thank for any opinions

Best to avoid foods high in oxalate acid, like spinach, beet greens and collard greens maybe? Rhubarb is so high in oxalate acid that it can be toxic (pretty sure that's what I remember reading).

-Kathy

 

[AimToMisbehave]

Happy Valentine's Day from my flock to yours.

And to you! ♡