Can Ducks Eat Mushrooms?

Mushrooms are certainly a divider among humans. Some love them, and others hate them. You can eat some, and you should avoid others. I wondered if it was the same in the animal kingdom and did some research.

Ducks can eat mushrooms bought from the store and will benefit from it. Mushrooms you find in the woods shouldn’t be offered to them due to safety reasons. Poisonous mushrooms you pick yourself can be mistaken for an edible species and be lethal for your ducks. Only feed storebought mushrooms.

You can find different types of mushrooms in the store that can be edible for your ducks. For example, white mushrooms, cremini mushrooms, portobello mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms, and wild mushrooms.

Nutrients in mushrooms

Nutrient (unit)	Mushrooms
Weight standard (g)	100
Energy (kcal)	27
Energy (kJ)	114
Carbohydrates (g)	2.7
Fat (g)	0.23
Protein (g)	2.38
Fiber (g)	2.4
Water (g)	91.4
Alcohol (g)	0
Ashes (g)	0.92
Monosaccharides (g)	0.1
Disaccharides (g)	0
Sucrose (g)	0
Sugars (g)	0.1
Total saturated fatty acids (g)	0
Fatty acid 4: 0-10: 0 (g)	0
Lauric acid C12: 0 (g)	0
Myristic acid C14: 0 (g)	0
Palmitic acid C16: 0 (g)	0
Stearic acid C18: 0 (g)	0
Arachidic acid C20: 0 (g)	0
Total monounsaturated fatty acids (g)	0
Palmitic acid C16: 1 (g)	0
Oleic acid C18: 1 (g)	0
Total polyunsaturated fatty acids (g)	0
Linoleic acid C18: 2 (g)	0
Linolenic acid C18: 3 (g)	0
Arachidonic acid C20: 4 (g)	0
EPA (C20:5) (g)	0
DPA (C22:5) (g)	0
DHA (C22:6) (g)	0
Tiamin (mg)	0.07
Riboflavin (mg)	0.43
Vitamin C (mg)	0
Niacin (mg)	2.6
Niacin equivalents (NE / mg)	3
Vitamin B6 (mg)	0.04
Vitamin B12 (µg)	0
Folate (µg)	32.9
Retinol (µg)	0
Vitamin A (RE/µg)	0
β-Karoten (µg)	0
Vitamin D (µg)	0.15
Vitamin E (mg)	0
Vitamin K (µg)	0
Phosphorus (mg)	15.2
Iodine (µg)	0
Iron (mg)	0.24
Calcium (mg)	9.7
Potassium (mg)	110
Magnesium (mg)	8.2
Sodium (mg)	0
Salt (g)	0
Selenium (µg)	17
Zinc (mg)	0.51
Cholesterol (mg)	0
Whole grains total (g)	0
Waste (shell etc.) (%)	4

Can ducks eat mushrooms?

If you wonder whether mushrooms are safe to feed your ducks, you use yourself as an example. If the mushroom is safe for you to eat, it’s probably safe for your ducks. Wild mushrooms found yourself in the forest should be avoided, even though you feel certain about the type of fungus.

To keep your ducks most happy, it’s good to have a variety of different foods to give them. Ducks tend to get bored with a specific food if it isn’t super yummy. (Like peas, they love peas). Ducks may not like to eat mushrooms at first, but you can start including them more and more into their diets with a little bit of practice.

🍐 Fruits is a staple for most ducks. Ducks can’t eat all fruits. Learn which fruits you can’t give to ducks here.

Can ducklings eat mushrooms?

Ducklings can eat mushrooms after they’ve turned 4 weeks of age. Until then, you will need to give them special duckling feed especially made for baby birds. Their diet should contain at least 22% of protein to be able to grow into adult ducks.

When they’ve turned four weeks old, you can start giving them other foods. The more foods you give them initially, the easier it becomes later when they are adults and eats almost everything you give them. However, you will still need to give them their regular duck pellets when they are adults.

Do ducks like to eat mushrooms?

Both ducks and ducklings like to eat mushrooms. As with kids, it might be a learning curve. They do prefer it in small amounts, with other foods. It doesn’t hurt if the mushrooms are cut very small or added to water. Ducks are smart and will avoid eating food that looks too big for their mouths. However, in some cases, they may have underestimated the size of the food and risk getting the food stuck in their throat. I recommend giving mushrooms to ducks at the same time you are giving them their favorite foods. For my ducks, their favorite thing is peas in water. I run the mushrooms in a food processor to make them rice-sized and then blend them into the green peas.

Can ducks eat raw mushrooms?

Ducks can eat raw mushrooms, but only the kind you can buy from the store you can eat yourself. The mushrooms don’t need to be cooked for the ducks to be able to eat them. However, it is recommended to cut them very thin, add them to a food processor. It would also help to add them to a bucket of water. The mushrooms will soften up and become more wiggly. Uncut mushrooms are too big for the ducks to eat. I like to run the mushrooms in a food processor until they are the same size as rice and then add the tiny pieces to their other food.

🥕 Vegetables are an excellent way to provide nutrients to your ducks. Find out what vegetables ducks can eat.

Can ducks eat cooked mushrooms?

Ducks can eat cooked mushrooms. You can either boil, sautee or roast them in the oven.

You aren’t required to cook the mushrooms before feeding them. You are obliged to cut them into smaller pieces first. Cooking them soften the mushrooms up and makes it easier for the duck to consume.

• Sauteeing mushrooms. If you are sauteing the mushrooms, make sure to not use any oil or butter. The ducks don’t need the extra calories. If you need something to cook with, use regular water. You can use an egg cutter to cut the mushrooms into good pieces for sautering. I use this vegetable chopper for must things and mushrooms are no exceptions. The options of small cubes or egg slices.

• Boil mushrooms. If you boil the mushrooms, aim for 10 15 minutes to soften the mushrooms. You can’t over boil mushrooms due to their cellular structure. Don’t add any salt.

• Roasting mushrooms. If you go for the third option and put them in the oven for roasting go for 450° F for 20 minutes. Don’t forget to cut them into slices, halfs or thirds. It’s also good to flip them over after 10 minutes. Please don’t use any oils or spices.

Let the mushrooms cool for at least 10 minutes before serving. Ducks may be cool, but they aren’t immune to heat.

Can ducks eat the entire piece of the mushroom?

Ducks can eat the entire mushroom. Anything from the stem, gill, cap, ring/skirt, spores, and volva. Some bits are tougher than others, but as long as you clean and chop the mushrooms before feeding them to the ducks, you are good to go.

Can ducks eat frozen mushrooms?

Ducks can eat frozen mushrooms as long as you defrost them first. You can defrost them in the fridge overnight or feed them in a bucket of water. Frozen mushrooms are often cheaper than fresh ones and also come pre-cut. Don’t feed the ducks frozen mushrooms. They are too hard, and it requires more energy for the ducks to consume them. We want to provide energy, not take it.

🐟 Ducks can eat meat from smaller animals. Do you know what animals beside slugs and insects they can eat? Find out more on what meat ducks can eat here.

Can ducks eat moldy or rotten mushrooms?

You should never offer ducks or any other animal moldy or rotten food. Mold is toxic and can be lethal for them.

You can notice if the mushroom has gone bad in different ways.

Some mushrooms grow mold, and others start to wrinkle. Something all mushrooms have in common is that they develop a slimy hue. If your mushrooms have this slimy hue, throw them out. Add them to the compost and let worms and microorganisms take care of it.

Can ducks eat pickled mushrooms?

Pickled mushrooms are popular to add to dishes. It provides that umami flavor and lifts almost any dish. Ducks shouldn’t eat pickled mushrooms. Pickled mushrooms have been exposed to vinegar, salt, and sugar-three things they shouldnätn have in their diet.

Can ducks eat canned mushrooms?

Most canned mushrooms have been floating around in water and salt. The high amount of sodium isn’t good for the ducks. It doesn’t matter if you rinse the mushrooms before feeding them to your ducks. They have soaked up a lot of the flavors inside the can.

🍟 Do you have leftovers? Check what human foods you can give your ducks here.

Food similar to mushrooms ducks can eat

If you, for some reason, would like to give your ducks a food similar to mushrooms, you can give them the following:

• Tofu
• Tempeh
• Zucchini
• Sun dried tomatoes (not in oil)
• Russet potatoes
• Chickpeas

How do you cut mushrooms for ducks?

There are different ways to cut the mushrooms for your ducks. It’s important to feed the ducks the mushrooms in smaller pieces. Otherwise, the choking hazard is too severe and may end up suffocating them. I’ve tried many ways of cutting mushrooms for my ducks, and my preferred method is the veggie chopper and food processor.

Cut mushrooms with a vegetable chopper

The quickest way for me is to use a veggie chopper when preparing both foods for the animals and my family. There are few times nowadays I cut vegetables with a knife. The hassle-free method of simply pushing down a lid has saved me so much time every day. I have so much to thank for this vegetable chopper.

Cut mushrooms with an egg slicer

A simple egg slicer is good for cutting mushrooms. However, they are intended for eggs and not hard mushrooms. There are some in stainless steel, but I would instead suggest you go with a veggie chopper. The one I recommend has a built-in egg slicer.

Cut the mushrooms with a knife

If you don’t have any machines to do the cuttings for you or prefer using your own hands, you can use a knife.

Since the size of the mushroom can differ, it’s hard to give an exact chopping method. The best would be to chop them as small as possible. If you cut the mushroom into thin slices pizza style, you are fine. If they are too big, you cut the slices in half.

Using a food processor to cut mushrooms

When I prepare a lot of food for the week, especially when there are many mushrooms to be chopped, I use a food processor. I add various foods and make them into small pieces, not bigger than a grain of rice. I often add oats, mushrooms, celery, kale, cabbage, carrots, tomatoes, and broccoli. I then put the mix in a bowl and mix those with their regular duck pellets.

🌿 Herbs is perfect food for ducks. Learn more about feeding herbs to ducks here.

Safe ways to feed mushrooms to ducks

There are some easy ways to feed mushrooms to your ducks. The most important thing to do is make sure they are cut before being offered to your ducks. The smaller, the better. The mushroom shouldn’t be bigger than your pinky finger.

1. Chopped with their favorite food

It’s easy to hide mushrooms in the duck’s regular food as long they are cut small. My ducks prefer green peas more than anything else. Hiding chopped mushrooms in a bowl of green peas is an excellent way of feeding them mushrooms without them knowing.

2. Add the chopped mushrooms in mashed potatoes

The next best thing my ducks love to eat is mashed potatoes. Ducks don’t eat dairy products. Instead of milk, they get some of the potatoes boiling water. The water contains starch which helps with the mixture. I use this hand mixer which helps the process.

Mashed potatoes with mushrooms for ducks

1. Peel the potatoes and start boiling the water. No salt.
2. Cut the potatoes into four pieces and them to the water.
3. Boil for 20 minutes.
4. During the potatoes boil, cut the mushrooms. Preferrably with a veggie chopper.
5. When potatoes are done. Move the potatoes to a bowl. Save the water.
6. Start mixing the potatoes with the hand mixer and slowly add the water until you get a mousse.
7. Add the mushrooms cuts and stir them into the mashed potatoes

Ready to serve – and don’t forget to not add any spices.

3. Add the mushrooms to water

If you are giving the mushrooms raw to your ducks, it would be a good idea to serve them in water. Adding mushrooms into a bucket of water softens them up and makes them easier for the duck to consume.

Beware not to throw the mushrooms in their bathing water, especially if there are wild ducks and swim in a public pond. Uneaten mushrooms will contribute to algae growth which can cause issues with the ecosystems below the surface.

4. Give the mushrooms on land

If you visit the park and wish to give the local ducks a treat, you can throw some mushrooms on the ground. This will stimulate their instincts to forage for food. It’s important to chop the mushrooms up first. Either with a food processor or a vegetable chopper.

Unsafe ways of feeding mushrooms to ducks

There are some ways you should avoid when feeding mushrooms to your ducks.

1. Mushrooms that are moldy, rotten or slimy

If your mushrooms have started to develop a slimy hue, it’s time to throw them away. The rotting process has started. Rotten and moldy food is dangerous to feed ducks and can end up killing them.

2. Mushroom in their bathing water

Do not throw mushrooms into their swimming water. It can cause algae growth and disrupt the ecosystems. Instead, offer the mushrooms in a bucket of water.

3. Mushrooms too big

It’s mandatory to cut the mushrooms before feeding them to ducks. Ducks don’t chew their food and swallow everything whole. If not cut, they are a huge choking hazard.

🌰 Ducks love to eat nuts. Check out which nuts ducks can’t eat here.

How often should I feed mushrooms to my ducks?

You can feed mushrooms to your duck as often as you want. Mushrooms are low in calories and the risk of them becoming overweight is small. I’m not aware of any diseases among ducks for eating too many mushrooms or too often. Some feed their ducks mushrooms daily, and others feed them more rarely. I usually have many mushrooms at home and try to incorporate mushrooms daily in my duck’s diet.

How much mushrooms can I give my ducks?

You can give your ducks how many mushrooms you like, as long as you adjust the amount of the other foods in their diet. There aren’t many calories in mushrooms, and they can eat a lot without becoming overweight. However, if they fill their stomachs with mushrooms, they don’t have room for foods with more calories and nutrients.

If you want to incorporate mushrooms in your duck’s diet, serve them with their regular food or afterward. Not before.

How to store mushrooms so they stay fresh longer

The best way, in my opinion, is to store mushrooms is in the fridge within a brown paper bag. Fold the top, and if you have a clothespin, you can use that too.

You can freeze mushrooms, but you will need to cook them first. I usually do this way:

• I chop them with a veggie chopper
• Sautee them without butter or oil
• Let them cool
• Place in plastic containers and put in freezer

I let the mushrooms defrost overnight in the fridge the day before, giving them to the ducks.

What food can I give at the same time as mushrooms?

Regardless if you want to hide the mushrooms with other foods, or if you want to give your ducks the best taste combination, there are some pairings you can do and some to avoid.

Health benefits for ducks eating mushrooms

Mushrooms are rich in nutrients, low in calories, have high antioxidants, and are a good source of fibers. They are a good source of Selenium, Potassium, and Folate.

Selenium in mushrooms for ducks

Selenium is an antioxidant that helps to lower oxidative stress in the body. It’s also good for thyroid function, fertility, and brain function. Foods ducks can eat with high Selenium:: tuna, brown rice, oats, beans, and sunflower seeds.

Potassium in mushrooms for ducks

Electrolytes like potassium and sodium regulate fluid balance. It’s important to give your ducks a potassium-rich diet. Examples of foods rich in potassium ducks can eat bananas, broccoli, brussels sprouts, peas, lentils, nuts, potatoes, and tomatoes.

Folate in mushrooms for ducks

Folate is essential for digestion, brain and nerve function, proper cell function, and much more. Examples of foods rich in folate ducks can eat corn, peas, broccoli, pasta, asparagus, sunflower seeds, and cauliflower.

Conclusion

Ducks can eat mushrooms. Not all ducks seem to like it. There’s a bit of a learning curve to like mushrooms in the duck kingdom.

Ducklings can eat mushrooms, but first after their four weeks of age. Until then, they will need to only eat their duckling feed. You can incorporate mushrooms early in the duckling’s diet, so they become fond of it early on.

Ducks can eat both raw and cooked mushrooms. The most important thing is to cut the mushroom into small enough pieces to not become a choking hazard. The best way to do it is to use a vegetable chopper.

When cooking mushrooms, you can either sauteeing, boil or roast the mushrooms.

• Ducks can eat the entire piece of mushroom.
• Ducks can eat frozen mushrooms if you defrost the mushrooms first
• Ducks can eat mushrooms raw
• Ducks can eat mushrooms cooked

The best ways to cut mushrooms for ducks are:

• Cut mushrooms with a vegetable chopper
• Cut the mushrooms with a knife
• Using a food processor to cut mushrooms

Safe ways to feed mushrooms to ducks:

• 1. Chopped with their favorite food
• 2. Add the chopped mushrooms in mashed potatoes
• 3. Add the mushrooms to water
• 3. Add the mushrooms to water

Unsafe ways to feed mushrooms to ducks:

• 1. Mushrooms that are moldy, rotten or slimy
• 2. Mushroom in their bathing water
• 3. Mushrooms too big

Mushrooms are rich in nutrients, low in calories, have high antioxidants, and are a good source of fibers. They are a good source of Selenium, Potassium, and Folate.