Can Ducks Eat Pineapple?

I often get asked by friends what I give my ducks as a treat, and the answer is rarely the same. As someone who regularly changes his duck’s diet and trying to provide them with something new all the time, I would still say pineapple has stuck the longest.

Ducks can eat pineapples and enjoy the sweet taste. Pineapples are acidic fruits (3.5pH) and have high water content (86%). The low pH can cause acid reflux, and the high water content can cause diarrhea. You should therefore offer pineapples in moderation, occasionally and not as a daily staple.

If ducks eat too many acidic fruits, they can develop stomach pain and acid reflux. You should, therefore, be aware of the acidic levels in the foods you are giving your ducks. Pineapples have a range between 3.5 to 5.2 on the pH scale, which makes them moderately acidic.

Too high water content in foods can develop diarrhea in ducks. Diarrhea leads to dehydration, which can cause kidney failure. It’s important to be aware of the water content in foods you are giving your ducks. If you give your ducks a high water content food like pineapples, you can add inhibiting foods to their diet. Foods like oats, bananas, and tomatoes are known to inhibit diarrhea.

Nutrients for pineapples

Nutrient (unit)	Pineapple
Weight standard (g)	100
Energy (kcal)	52
Energy (kJ)	217
Carbohydrates (g)	11,5
Fat (g)	0,1
Protein (g)	0,5
Fiber (g)	1,2
Water (g)	86,4
Alcohol (g)	0
Ashes (g)	0,3
Monosaccharides (g)	6,1
Disaccharides (g)	5,3
Sucrose (g)	5,3
Sugars (g)	11,4
Total saturated fatty acids (g)	0,01
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)	0,01
Palmitic acid C16: 1 (g)	0
Oleic acid C18: 1 (g)	0,01
Total polyunsaturated fatty acids (g)	0,02
Linoleic acid C18: 2 (g)	0,02
Linolenic acid C18: 3 (g)	0,01
Arachidonic acid C20: 4 (g)	0
EPA (C20:5) (g)	0
DPA (C22:5) (g)	0
DHA (C22:6) (g)	0
Tiamin (mg)	0,08
Riboflavin (mg)	0
Vitamin C (mg)	53
Niacin (mg)	0,3
Niacin equivalents (NE / mg)	0,4
Vitamin B6 (mg)	0,1
Vitamin B12 (µg)	0
Folate (µg)	12
Retinol (µg)	0
Vitamin A (RE/µg)	2,9
β-Karoten (µg)	35
Vitamin D (µg)	0
Vitamin E (mg)	0,03
Vitamin K (µg)	0,7
Phosphorus (mg)	6
Iodine (µg)	0
Iron (mg)	0,16
Calcium (mg)	14
Potassium (mg)	121
Magnesium (mg)	11
Sodium (mg)	0
Salt (g)	0
Selenium (µg)	0
Zinc (mg)	0,1

Ducks can eat pineapples. It shouldn’t be a daily staple, but instead, a treat given occasionally. Pineapples are rich in potassium, calcium, and vitamin c, which are paramount in the duck’s diet.

I feed my ducks pineapple once a week and often with other foods. Even though the ducks love the taste of oats every morning, it can sometimes be boring. Therefore, I sometimes add a couple of chopped-up pineapple pieces and add them to the morning feed. I try to aim for 50grams of pineapple per duck. That’s one pineapple ring approximately.

Since pineapples are pretty big in size, it would be best to cut the bright-colored fruit flesh into smaller pieces. The smaller, the better. Otherwise, the choking hazard is pretty big. Ducks don’t chew their food and swallow everything whole.

You shouldn’t give ducks pineapples from a can. Canned pineapples are usually full of added sugar, salt, and preservatives which isn’t good for ducks. Sugar causes obesity. Salt causes dehydration, and the preservatives aren’t found in the duck’s natural diet.

🍍 Ducks love to eat fruits, but there are some fruits, like pineapples, you should give in moderate amounts. Learn what fruits you can give to ducks here.

Can ducklings eat pineapple?

Ducklings or baby ducks can eat pineapple if they have turned 4 weeks of age. Until then, they need to have a restricted special duckling diet made of pellets. You could start to incorporate other foods gradually after their first four weeks. However, pineapple shouldn’t be a priority. Instead, try to aim for other foods that carry more nutrients—such as oats, vegetables, and fruits.

Do ducks like to eat pineapple?

Ducks love the taste of pineapple. If you feed cut pineapples in water, they disappear in a matter of seconds. There’s something with the sweet taste in a combination of watery texture they enjoy.

🥕 Ducks also enjoy vegetables. Check what vegetables ducks can eat here.

Can ducks eat raw pineapple?

Ducks prefer raw pineapple overcooked. The fresh and sweet taste is what they enjoy the most. If you cut the pineapple fresh, ensure there isn’t any skin left, and the core has been removed. There’s always the possibility to buy canned pineapples without any added sugars that have already been cut into small enough pieces.

Can ducks eat cooked pineapple?

Ducks can eat cooked pineapple as long as there aren’t any spices, salt, cheese, or anything else added. If you dehydrated or barbequed them, you are ready to go. Fried pineapple rings shouldn’t either be offered to them since they are filled with fat.

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Can ducks eat the skin of the pineapple?

Ducks can’t eat the pineapple skin. It’s too hard, doesn’t taste good, and doesn’t provide any nutritional value. The skin is better put on your compost than in your duck’s stomach.

Can ducks eat the crown of the pineapple?

Ducks can’t eat the crown of the pineapple. The crown is bitter and doesn’t provide anything else than aesthetics. If you live in a warmer climate, you can plant the pineapple crown in the soil and have a small pineapple tree.

Can ducks eat the core of the pineapple?

Ducks can’t eat the core of the pineapple. Ducks don’t chew their food, and the core is too hard for them to swallow even if you chop it for them. The stiffness is hard to digest and doesn’t provide much value for the energy it requires to break it down. Focus on cutting the fruit flesh into smaller pieces instead and throw the core into your compost.

🌯 Ducks can eat many foods, including the things in your fridge or pantry. Get to know what human foods you can give ducks.

Can ducks eat frozen pineapple?

Ducks can eat frozen pineapple with some rules. Ducks can eat frozen pineapple if:

There aren’t any added sugar
There aren’t any preservatives
The bits are cut small enough
They have been defrosted before serving

Can ducks eat unripe pineapple?

Ducks should not eat unripe pineapple, and neither should you.

You can check a pineapple’s ripeness in three ways.

The leaves are green and looking healthy
The skin yields. A ripe pineapple skin yields to slight pressure
The smell. Sniff the base to check if there’s a strong pineapple scent.

Can ducks eat moldy or rotten pineapple?

You should never feed any animal old or rotten foods. Moldy food is toxic and can be lethal to ducks. If you wouldn’t eat it, why should the ducks do it?

🌿 Herbs is a staple food for wild ducks. Learn more what herbs you can give ducks here.

Can ducks eat canned pineapple?

Many canned pineapples have sugar added. Some brands only have pineapple and water, which is great. Dole’s crushed pineapple doesn’t have any added sugars, and they are already crushed into a sizeable to feed your ducks. Before serving, try to remove much of the liquids.

How do you cut pineapple for ducks?

There are some different ways to cut pineapples. The most common way for humans to cut is to remove the skin, top, and bottom. Slice it in half, remove the core and cut triangles. These are too big pieces for ducks.

There are many pineapple cuttings tools to buy that certainly are good to use for cutting pineapples for humans. However, since the pieces cut for humans are too big for ducks to eat. I suggest using a food processer and press out as much of the liquid before serving. That way, the pieces are small enough, some water is removed, and some of the acidic are removed.

You will still need to remove the skin, crown, bottom, and core before adding the pineapple to the food processor. And using one of these seems to simplify that process.

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Safe ways to feed pineapple to ducks

There are several ways to feed pineapples to ducks safely. I usually switch between four different ways when feeding pineapple to my ducks.

1. Serve the pineapple with their regular food

This is the most common way I feed my ducks’ pineapple. I don’t give them pineapples more than once a week, but I add them to their regular diet when I do. All duck owners should give their ducks regular duck pellets. Although pellets are good for ducks, they are dry and boring. If you are adding pineapples to it, they will enjoy it more.

2. Throw the pineapple pieces on the ground

A simple way to give your ducks or the ducks in the park some delicious pineapple would be to throw it to the ground. Duck’s instincts are to forage for foods, and why not let them look for pineapple bits. Please make sure the pieces are small enough for them to eat. A good option would be to bring some Dole’s crushed pineapple bits to give. There aren’t any sugars added to it, and it comes in good sizes. Try to push out some of the liquids before feeding the ducks to decrease the water they get. Pineapples are already high in water, and too much would increase the risk of the ducks developing diarrhea.

3. Add the pineapple pieces to a bucket of water and serve

Another easy and safe way to feed your ducks’ pineapple is to give them the pineapple pieces in a bucket of water. Please don’t throw them in the water they swim in since that would increase algae growth. Instead, fill a bucket of water and add the cut pineapple bits to it. Ducks love to eat food that is in water. Make sure the water is fresh and clean before adding the pineapple pieces. You can add canned pineapple pieces as long as they are crushed into small pieces.

4. Make a pineapple smoothie for your ducks

Smoothie bowls are an excellent way to give multiple foods simultaneously to your ducks without having the hassle of cutting them. The only thing needed is a food processor or a blender to make the smoothie.

When I make smoothies including pineapple for my ducks, I usually go for these fruits and vegetables:

🌰 Ducks need fat in their diet and nuts is an excellent food for that. Some nuts are dangerous for ducks to eat. Learn what nuts ducks can eat.

Unsafe ways to give pineapple to ducks

It’s easy to do wrong when feeding pineapple to ducks. I have made many things wrong when feeding my ducks with pineapples over the years. I will share some of the mistakes you can try to avoid when feeding pineapples to ducks.

1. The pieces are too big

The most important thing to be aware of when feeding pineapples to ducks is the size of the pieces. If the pieces are too big, the risk that the duck suffocates increases. Ducks don’t chew their food but instead swallow everything whole. A too big a piece is a choking hazard.

2. The canned pineapple has added sugar in it

There are canned pineapple suppliers who add sugars, salt, and preservatives in their cans in many cases. It’s easy to forget to read the label. However, since I found Dole’s crushed pineapples on Amazon, I’ve been hooked. They are already crushed into small enough pieces for the ducks to eat and don’t have any sugars added to them. Just remember to remove the water first.

3. Too much and too often

Pineapples are around 50 calories per 100 grams. They are on the acidic side of the pH scale and have a lot of water. Although it’s pretty sweet, tasty, and provides good nutrients, you should give it in moderation.

The high water content can lead to diarrhea, and the acidic can upset their stomachs even further. I try to give each duck one ring per week. That’s around 50 grams (1.8 oz) and enough to keep the duck and its stomach happy.

4. Giving the pineapples in their swimming water

You should never throw food in the same water the ducks are swimming in. Regardless if there’s a pond or lake or a small fishpond in your backyard. When you add food to a pond, it will cause algae growth. When one alga grows too quickly, it causes other algae to die. It would be much better to let nature control the balance of algae growth in the pond or lake.

5. Giving moldy or old pineapples to ducks

If you give ducks any moldy or old food, they will become sick. In the same way, you would get sick. But it would be more severe for them. Mold is toxic and can even be lethal for the ducks.

6. Giving food that has been exposed to something else

Giving leftovers to your ducks are always welcome and appreciated by them. However, it comes with a responsibility. If you had pineapples to your dinner last night and there are some left, they can be good to give to your ducks. It’s important to be aware of if there are any condiments added to them.

Were the pineapple pieces on yesterday’s pizza? Were they on Samuel L. Jackson’s Big Kahuna burger?

Unless the pineapple leftovers are plain and haven’t been exposed to salt, spices, or any condiments, they aren’t safe to give the ducks.

How often should I give my ducks pineapple?

You can feed pineapple as often you would like, as long as you make the proper adjustments with other foods in their diet. However, it’s important not to give pineapple too often to your ducks. If you increase the amount of pineapple in their diet, you will need to decrease something else. Pineapples are acidic and may cause acid reflux.

I give my ducks pineapple once a week in small amounts and make sure they are given diarrhea inhibiting foods like oats at the same time.

How much pineapple can I give my ducks?

When you feed ducks food with high water content, it’s always good to feed in moderation. When the food is below neutral on the pH scale, it’s always a good sign to keep it extra moderated. I try to keep the portions of pineapple very low to my ducks. One circle of pineapple is enough per week. I usually buy crushed pineapples in cans to avoid waste. The ducks can happily share one can a week as long as much of the water is removed.

Health benefits for ducks eating pineapple

Pineapples are rich in potassium, calcium, and vitamin c, which are paramount in the duck’s diet. Pineapples are also pretty refreshing on hot summer days. Pineapples are also packed with the antioxidants, flavonoids, and phenolic acids. Pineapples also contain bromelain, which helps with protein digestion.

Potassium in pineapples for ducks

Potassium is vital in the duck’s diet. Potassium regulates fluid balance. 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 are bananas, broccoli, brussels sprouts, peas, lentils, nuts, potatoes, and tomatoes.

Calcium in pineapples for ducks

Calcium is essential in the duck’s diet, especially for egglaying ducks. Eggshells are almost entirely made out of calcium. The calcium consumed by the mother duck gets transferred to the balut inside the egg. Calcium is usually found in dairy products but can also be received from vegetables. Vegetables ducks can eat rich in calcium are kale, celery, broccoli, collard greens, and edamame beans.

Vitamin C in pineapples for ducks

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that strengthens the duck’s defense system. Vitamin C may also help to lower blood pressure and the risk of heart disease. Foods rich in vitamin c ducks can eat; Broccoli, strawberries, kale, brussels sprouts, kiwis, yellow peppers, and peas.

Conclusion

Ducks can eat pineapples, and they enjoy the taste of it. Pineapples need to be served in moderation since they are high in water and are acidic. A high amount of water can cause diarrhea, and the low pH can cause acid reflux.

Ducklings can eat pineapples after they have turned four weeks of age. You can add it to their diet gradually over time, but it shouldn’t be a priority.

Ducks prefer raw pineapples and cut into small pieces. They can also eat frozen pineapples as long as they have been cut into small pieces and are defrosted. But can still eat them cooked as long there isn’t anything added to them.

Ducks can’t eat:

The skin of the pineapple
The crown of the pineapple
The core of the pineapple
Unripe pineapples
Moldy or rotten pineapple

The simplest way to cut a pineapple is to use a special tool for it.

Safe ways to feed pineapples to ducks:

Serve the pineapple with their regular food
Throw the pineapple pieces on the ground
Add the pineapple pieces to a bucket of water and serve
Make a pineapple smoothie for your ducks

Unsafe ways to feed pineapples to ducks:

The pieces are too big
The canned pineapple has added sugar in it
Too much and too often
Giving the pineapples in their swimming water
Giving moldy or old pineapples to ducks
Giving food that has been exposed to something else

You can feed pineapple as often you would like to your ducks, but it’s important to be aware of the risks. If you feed pineapples to your ducks, ensure they are given in moderation and in a safe way.

The amount of pineapples you can give is determined by the other foods in the duck’s diet. Pineapples are low in calories, but they should still be given in light amounts since they are acidic.

There are numerous health benefits of feeding pineapples to ducks. Pineapples are rich in potassium, calcium, and vitamin c.