In summer, there’s not much that beats sitting in the sun, eating strawberries, and just relaxing. Not only do humans appreciate the sun and munching on strawberries on a hot summer’s day. Most animals love the taste of strawberries.
Ducks can eat strawberries. The small berry provides a large number of antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins. Packed in a sweet, small package. However, ducks prefer the strawberry in a smaller size. It would be best if you chopped it before serving to decrease the risk of suffocation.
Strawberries contain Vitamin C, Iron, Magnesium, Potassium, and Calcium which all are essential for ducks. Check out why below.
Can ducks eat strawberries?
Ducks can and will eat strawberries. Usually, it doesn’t take long before my basket is empty. Ducks are somewhat like humans in that regard, where they can only have one. I have noticed the interest decrease rapidly when I feed them larger strawberries that haven’t yet been cut into smaller pieces. They acknowledge the strawberry but don’t care for it. They know they will have a hard time swallowing it and maybe a choking hazard. It’s important you cut, chop, shred, mash, or anything before serving the strawberries. The ducks don’t break down food in their mouth as we do. Instead, they swallow things whole and drink water to help them go down, almost like competitive eating contestants.
Ducks love to eat fruits and other sweet foods. There are however, some fruits that may be harmful to them. I wrote a resource to help you know what fruits ducks can and can not eat. You might want to check it out.
Can ducks eat the crown, green leaves and stem of the strawberry?
Ducks can eat the green leaves and stem of the strawberry. Actually, it has some benefits for their health. The leaves contain tannins which help against stomach cramps and bloating. Unlike dogs, the ducks can eat the green parts of the strawberry. Where in dogs, it’s toxic.
Do ducks like to eat strawberries?
Ducks absolutely love strawberries. Ducks like sweet fruits and preferably those who are in small packages. It’s important not to serve the strawberries too often and not make it a huge part of their diet. But instead, give it as a treat from time to time.
Is it safe to feed ducks strawberries?
It is perfectly safe to feed ducks strawberries, as long as they are served in smaller pieces and in moderation. The strawberries must be either cut, chopped, or mashed into smaller pieces before serving—otherwise, the risk of choking increases.
How many strawberries can I feed ducks with?
It is easy to make a box of strawberries disappear. For me, it usually takes a minute or two. It is the same thing when it comes to ducks. That’s why it’s important to be aware of how many strawberries you feed each duck. Since strawberries are pretty low in calories, I would suggest a maximum of five strawberries per duck is fine.
A strawberry weighs between 5 to 12 grams each, and 100 grams of strawberries are only 32,5 calories. That’s pretty low concerning how much the strawberries fill their stomach. Don’t overfeed them strawberries. Otherwise, they will not forage for other healthy foods.
Did you know ducks are omnivores and require vegetables, meat, fruits, herbs, nuts, and seeds in their diet? I have written a resource of what nuts and fodders ducks can and can not eat. You might want to check it out.
How often can I feed strawberries to ducks?
I don’t treat my ducks more than once a week with strawberries. Ducks need other healthy foods in their diet, and the space strawberries take in their stomach doesn’t correspond to the nutrients given. While strawberries are an excellent treat, you shouldn’t feed them strawberries too often. Make it a treat, not a staple.
Safely feeding strawberries to ducks
There are some safety measures to take before feeding ducks strawberries.
- Rinsing the strawberries. It’s important to clean the strawberries before eating them yourself. So why not honor the ducks by making the same effort for them. Cleaning them will remove dirt and some pesticides which shouldn’t be in the duck’s digestive system.
- Cut or mash them into smaller pieces. My preferred method is super easy. I put the strawberries in a saucepan. I then use my smashed burger press to mash them flat. The excess fluid is put in a water bottle and easily has strawberry water.
- Serve in moderation. Make sure not to feed each duck too many strawberries. A rule of thumb would be five strawberries per duck. That will still give them some space left in their stomachs for other foods and still provide them with a healthy feast.
- Defrost them before serving. If you have frozen strawberries, make sure to defrost them before serving. The cold hard strawberries will be rejected. Let them defrost in the fridge over night and the next day you can cut them up into smaller pieces.
How to feed strawberries to ducks
There are three ways I usually feed the ducks strawberries. I try to vary the ways I serve strawberries.
Strawberries are cut into thin coins.
This is very easy to do. Cut the strawberry into thin coin-shaped bits. I usually start by cutting from the bottom to the top. That way, I can hold onto the crown while chopping. The thinner slices, the better.
Mashed strawberries
This is my preferred method. This works best if you plan on passively feeding the ducks. I put the strawberries into a saucepan and press the strawberries with my smashed burger press. I then put the mashed strawberries in a wide container. If there is a public pond, I bring several containers, so all ducks get a chance to eat the strawberries, and not just the bigger ones. The excess strawberry juice received when mashing the strawberries I save in water bottles or freeze to make strawberry drinks or ice cream.
Mix with other foods
If I want to spoil the ducks, I sometimes mix the strawberries with their regular foods. I do this using my blender and add their regular foods and strawberries. Their regular foods are pellets, seeds, and freeze-dried mealworms. The result is a huge mix of nutritious food, easily eaten by the ducks they all love.
If you are interested what other foods beyond strawberries ducks can eat, I have you covered. I’ve made several resources going through a huge varety of foods. Check out: What vegetables can and can not ducks eat? – With over 60 examples.
What health benefits are there from ducks eating strawberries?
Strawberries are packed with vitamins and minerals. All packages into a small, perfect, easily accessed red, oddly shaped ball.
Strawberries contain Vitamin C, Potassium, Iron, and Calcium which all are needed by ducks.
Vitamin C in strawberries for ducks
Vitamin C in strawberries helps the ducks with heat stress from exposure to hot weather. Vitamin C also benefits egg production and helps the development of healthy eggs.
Potassium in strawberries for ducks
Potassium helps the transport of red blood cells. It also helps with the fluid balance in the body while also providing help regulating the nerve system and muscle contractions.
Iron in strawberries for ducks
Iron is made to build hemoglobin in the body. Hemoglobin is a protein that helps carry oxygen from the lungs to all other body parts.
Calcium in strawberries for ducks
Calcium makes the skeleton stronger. Calcium is more important to ducks than other birds since they use their legs more than others. Ducks mainly swim or walk and don’t use their wings as much as other birds.
Conclusion about ducks eating strawberries
We have established that ducks can eat strawberries. Ducks love the sweet taste and can eat plenty of them. However, it’s important to serve a moderate amount.
It’s also important to make it easy for the ducks to consume the strawberries. Strawberries are usually pretty large and will get rejected if they can’t fit the duck’s mouth. They will also avoid trying since it is a choking hazard.
You can make it easier for ducks by either chopping, cutting, or mashing the strawberries before serving. You can cut them into thin coins, mash them with a smash burger press, or throw them inside a blender with other foods.
Ducks will benefit from having strawberries in their diet. Although, you shouldn’t serve it too often. Strawberries don’t have all needed vitamins and minerals they need. Instead, serve them strawberries once in a while. I usually serve them once a week and keep them to a maximum of five strawberries per duck.
Strawberries are low in calories and contain vitamin a, vitamin c, iron, potassium, and calcium which is required in a duck’s diet.
Keep feeding ducks strawberries. Make sure they are cleaned, cut, defrosted, and served in moderation. Your ducks will appreciate your efforts. Both preparing the strawberries and serving them to the ducks is an excellent thing to do with your kids and will benefit you, your kids, and most importantly – the ducks.