Corn can be found in almost everything. Corn is a great asset, and more could benefit from adding it to their diet. It’s so inexpensive, so it’s even given to deer, cattle, horses, birds, and so on. While being inexpensive, it also provides a good amount of calories and gives everyone eating it some benefits.
Ducks can eat corn, and they really like it. There is something about that sweet taste they enjoy and can’t get enough of. However, corn should be offered in moderation since the sweet taste brings a lot of calories.
Due to the high amount of calories in corn, it would be best to always measure the corn before feeding it to the ducks. Overfeeding corn may cause overweight or even obesity. Corn comes in different ways and forms, and some should even be avoided from being offered to them.
Can ducks eat corn?
Ducks can eat corn in most ways, and almost every way benefits them. Corn has a pretty high fiber content which helps with digestion and keeping the intestines healthy. Corn is about 86kcal per 100 grams, so it’s important to feed in moderation. I never feed more than 10 grams (roughly 1/4 oz) per duck each day to avoid a calorie surplus. However, I can decrease the food from other sources and increase the amount of corn.
Ducks can eat vegetables like asparagus, bell peppers, broccoli, carrots, celery, corn, peas, potatoes, tomatoes, and many more. Corn is one of the vegetables that have the most calories. Compared to broccoli, around 40kcal and celery with only 14kcal.
Can ducklings eat corn?
Ducklings can eat corn, but not in their first four weeks of age. In their first four weeks, they should consume special duckling feed with a greater amount of protein intended for growing ducks. When they are older than four weeks, you can slowly incorporate corn into their daily diet. From an occasional treat to a daily staple, if you would like.
There are much of vegetables you can feed ducks. Check out what vegetables you can give ducks.
Do ducks like to eat corn?
Ducks like to eat corn very much. When feeding corn to ducks, it doesn’t take many seconds until everything is gone. Feeding corn and peas to ducks is fun since you can really notice how much they like it. There’s something about the small foods they really like. Perhaps the sweet taste and the ease of consuming it are the culprits.
Is corn bad for ducks?
Corn isn’t bad for ducks as long as it is served in moderation and its natural form. Feeding a duck popcorn would be bad since it doesn’t provide the corresponding nutrients to the volume it takes up in the duck’s stomach. However, sweet corn and corn kernels are fine to offer to your ducks as long as they are fed in moderation.
Ducks are omnivores and eat other animals. Check out what meat you can feed ducks.
Do wild ducks eat corn?
The ducks you can find in the local pond really like to eat corn. If you want to be kind to both the people managing the pond, as well as the ducks – I would suggest you didn’t throw the corn into the pond. Instead, you can offer the corn on land. If you throw the corn inside the pond and sink to the bottom, it may cause algae to grow easier.
Can ducks eat raw corn?
Ducks can eat the corn raw. I would advise you to put the corn in water when feeding it to the ducks. They will have much easier to eat it and the risk of it clogging their throat decreases. I usually put this corn with some water and let it soak for some minutes before serving it.
Herbs are part of the duck’s natural diet. Check out what herbs you can grow and feed your ducks.
Can ducks eat sweet corn?
Ducks can eat sweet corn, and they like it. Sweet corn has a tiny bit more calories than regular corn, but you can still offer it to them as long as it is in moderation. It would be good to rinse the sweet corn before serving it to remove some of the starch. Too much starch in a duck’s diet isn’t that good.
Can ducks eat corn kernels?
If you have some uncracked corn kernels, you can feed them to your ducks. The ducks don’t seem to like it plain. Try to add them to water and mix in with something they like, for example, peas.
If you have leftovers they can be given to ducks. There are some human food you should never give ducks. Check out which. You will be surprised.
Can ducks eat popcorn?
Ducks shouldn’t eat popcorn. Popcorn doesn’t provide any beneficial nutrients and also wastes room in the stomach. The amount of space used in the stomach with how much nutrients it provides is not worth it. If you have leftover popcorn, you can use them for baking, or why not try what they did on the Little House on the Prairie? (Switch the cereal to popcorn in your breakfast)
Can ducks eat kettle corn?
Ducks shouldn’t eat kettle corn. Kettle corn is just as bad as popcorn. They provide almost the same amount of nutrients (or a lack of them) while taking up space in the duck’s belly. The main difference between regular popcorn and kettle corn is that kettle corn is made using an iron kettle and tastes sweeter than regular popcorn.
Nuts is a great treat for ducks and you should offer it to them. Check out which nuts you never should feed ducks with.
Can ducks eat corn flakes?
Ducks shouldn’t eat corn flakes. Corn flakes have a high amount of sugar, sodium, and calories. Ducks like to eat it, but they shouldn’t. Corn flakes are 10% sugar and are double the amount suggested by WHO. Both the ducks and you should avoid eating corn flakes.
Can ducks eat canned corn?
Ducks shouldn’t eat canned corn. Canned corn has bathed in sugar, sodium, and preservatives. Drained canned sweetcorn has a calorie amount of 133. Eating too much sugar lead to the duck becoming overweight, adding numerous other health concerns.
Ducks love the sweet taste of fruit, but there are some fruits they can’t eat. Check out what fruits you can and can not feed ducks.
Can ducks eat frozen corn?
If you have frozen corn and want to give it to your ducks, you can do so if you defrost them first. Frozen corn is too hard for ducks to consume, and it requires much energy for them to digest. I would suggest defrosting them in water and then exchange the water before serving the corn to the ducks. You can use the old corn water in other ways since it carries a lot of starch and some nutrients. It can be used as an egg replacement in recipes, but also good water for watering.
Can ducks eat corn cob?
You can cut the corn from the cob, but the actual cob is too hard and doesn’t provide any nutritional value for the duck. Make sure to feed it in moderation. One cob usually holds 1/2 to 1 cup of corn, which can be too much for just one duck.
Can ducks eat moldy corn?
Ducks shouldn’t eat any food that has mold on it. You should waste moldy food. Preferably on a compost. You can notice mold growing by discolorization on the corn. The corn is losing its bright yellow bright color and turns into a more grey shade. After a while, they start to rot and become brownish and, lastly, black.
Safe ways to feed corn to ducks
I have four ways I usually feed corn to my ducks. The ducks seem to love every way just as much, and all corn disappears in a matter of seconds.
1. Feed in water
The most common way I feed my ducks is by putting the corn into a bucket of water. The water softens the corn and also releases some of the starch. I never put the corn in the pond they are bathing in since it can ease algae growth in their pond. Instead, they always get their food in a bucket or pot—both sweetcorn and kernels.
2. Cut from the cob
The ducks really enjoy fresh-cut corn from the cobble. Just look at the video above. You can also add the cuts to water, but if cut into small pieces, they are fine to serve as they are.
3. In mashed potato
One of the best things in the world is mashed potato, at least according to my ducks. They get very plain mashed potatoes without any salt, pepper, milk, or anything. Boiled potatoes, mashed with a potato masher and some of the cooking water. Sometimes I add broccoli and carrot as well. Lately, I have started to add corn to the mashed potato. It’s easy to add, and they will be full for longer. If you are interested in the mashed potato recipe for ducks, you can look here.
4. Mix with their regular food
It’s effortless to add corn to the duck’s regular layer feed. It is also possible to add to their pellets. This will force the ducks to their instincts and make them forage for food. It keeps them both busy and happy and in the end a bit more full.
What to avoid when feeding corn to ducks
There are different types of corn, and not all are suitable for ducks to eat. Here are some ways feeding corn to ducks to avoid:
- Popcorn.
Ducks shouldn’t eat popcorn. The volume popcorn takes in the belly don’t correspond to the nutritional value it returns. Unsalted and non-buttered popcorn is better, but doesn’t make it feedable. - Kettle corn.
Kettle corn are just as bad to feed ducks as popcorn. Avoid feeding it to ducks. - Corn flakes.
Corn flakes is high in sugar, sodium and calories. There are some nutritional value, but the high amount of calories that come with it doesn’t qualify it to be offered to the ducks. - Canned corn.
Canned corn contains a lot of sugar, sodium, preservatives and a lot of calories. If you don’t have any other food sources for your ducks it can be served but it is better to have various sources. - Moldy or rotten corn.
Corn that has started to lose their color should be thrown out. If it has started go black, its really bad. Do not feed any animal moldy or rotten food. - Not feeding in moderation
Calories in corn are really high compared to other vegetables. Feed in moderation to be sure the ducks don’t become overweight.
How often can I feed corn to ducks?
Many people don’t give corn to ducks as a daily staple food but instead, give them corn as an occasional treat. The reason behind this is the high amount of calories in corn. That said, you can still provide your ducks a daily amount of corn if you feed in moderation. I count the calories for my ducks and ensure they receive the correct amount of calories, macro-, and micronutrients each day. A good way to do this is to use an online calculator. You can afterward, once a week, prepare meals for them so you won’t have to calculate and measure every day.
How much corn can I feed my ducks?
You can feed how much corn you would like to your ducks. It is, however, important that you don’t overfeed them and ensure they are receiving all their required nutrients. If you want to increase the amount of corn you are feeding your ducks, you will need to decrease the amount of something else in their diet. Otherwise, they will have a surplus of calories and become overweight. I try to give 10 grams (1/4 oz) of corn each day to my ducks and many different food sources, for example, vegetables, nuts, fodders, herbs, fruits, leftovers, and meat from other animals.
Health benefits from feeding corn to ducks
There are various vitamins and minerals found in corn. Corn actually has the highest amount of Vitamin A than other types of grains. Calcium, Iron, Potassium, Vitamin A, and Vitamin C are all found in corn and are all essential in a duck’s health.
Calcium in corn for ducks
Calcium is essential in the duck’s health. Not only is it important for the production of eggs, but it’s also essential for the health of the duckling inside the egg.
Iron in corn for ducks
Iron is important in the production of hemoglobin in the duck’s body. The protein called transferrin binds to the iron and transports it through the body. It helps the body make new red blood cells, which is called hemoglobin—the hemoglobin transport oxygen in the blood to various body parts.
Potassium in corn for ducks
Potassium is important for the fluid balance in the body. It helps the duck’s nerves to function as well as the muscles to contract. It also helps to remove waste products from the cells.
Vitamin A in corn for ducks
The amount of Vitamin A in corn is actually the highest among all other grains. Vitamin A helps to protect the eye of the duck from night blindness and age-related decline.
Vitamin C in corn for ducks
Vitamin C is a water-soluble antioxidant. It may help reduce uric acid levels, strengthen the immune system, and also helps to prevent iron deficiency.
Conclusion
Ducks can eat corn, and they really like it. Corn can be found in almost anything as starch. While corn is expensive, it comes with a lot of calories. The amount of calories is the main reason for feeding it in moderation.
Both adult ducks and ducklings can eat corn. Although, ducklings shouldn’t eat corn in their first four weeks of age.
Corn itself isn’t bad, as long it’s served in moderation and is in its natural form. Feeding ducks popcorn or kettle corn is bad since it doesn’t provide the nutrients according to the volume it takes up in the stomach.
Ducks shouldn’t eat
- Popcorn
- Kettle corn
- Corn flakes
- Canned corn
- Moldy corn
You can feed ducks corn both daily as an occasional treat. It’s important to regulate their other food if you implement corn into their diet. Since corn has a significant amount of calories, it’s important not to feed them too much. I try to give my ducks about 10 grams of corn each per day.
