Regardless if you are planning a trip to your local duck pond or raise ducks yourself, you might wonder if you can give raisins to ducks. I did as well a couple of years ago. I have heard that raisins are very toxic to dogs and cats and could even be lethal. But how about our bewinged friends?
Ducks can eat raisins, and they absolutely love it. Raisins are a perfect treat for both your pet ducks at the wild ones in the park. Raisins contain potassium, vitamin b6, iron, and magnesium which all are paramount in a duck’s diet. Due to the calorie amount, you will need to feed in moderation.
Raisins are 285 calories per 100 grams, which can be a bit too high compared to other fruits ducks can eat.
The type of grape depends on which grape is used. The most common is the Thompson seedless grape. There are different raisin varieties, and ducks eat all of them—black raisins, currants, sultanas, red raisins, green raisins, and golden raisins.
Did you know I wrote another resource just about feeding grapes to ducks? If you are interested in feeding grapes to ducks, you might want to check that one out too.
Nutrition facts about raisins
| Nutrient (unit) | Raisins |
|---|---|
| Weight standard (g) | 100 |
| Energy (kcal) | 285 |
| Energy (kJ) | 1194 |
| Carbohydrates (g) | 64.4 |
| Fat (g) | 0.5 |
| Protein (g) | 1.88 |
| Fiber (g) | 6.1 |
| Water (g) | 22.6 |
| Alcohol (g) | 0 |
| Ashes (g) | 4.5 |
| Monosaccharides (g) | 60 |
| Disaccharides (g) | 0 |
| Sucrose (g) | 1.5 |
| Sugars (g) | 61.5 |
| 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) | 0.1 |
| Riboflavin (mg) | 0 |
| Vitamin C (mg) | 0 |
| Niacin (mg) | 0.6 |
| Niacin equivalents (NE / mg) | 0.9 |
| Vitamin B6 (mg) | 0.3 |
| Vitamin B12 (µg) | 0 |
| Folate (µg) | 8.1 |
| Retinol (µg) | 0 |
| Vitamin A (RE/µg) | 0.7 |
| β-Karoten (µg) | 8 |
| Vitamin D (µg) | 0 |
| Vitamin E (mg) | 1.5 |
| Vitamin K (µg) | 12.1 |
| Phosphorus (mg) | 79.2 |
| Iodine (µg) | 90.1 |
| Iron (mg) | 1.9 |
| Calcium (mg) | 47.9 |
| Potassium (mg) | 598.4 |
| Magnesium (mg) | 31 |
| Sodium (mg) | 14.6 |
| Salt (g) | 0.04 |
| Selenium (µg) | 0 |
| Zinc (mg) | 0.16 |
| Cholesterol (mg) | 0 |
| Whole grains total (g) | 0 |
| Waste (shell etc.) (%) | 0 |
Can ducks eat raisins?
Raisins are the perfect food for ducks in addition to other foods. A great pairing with raisins is oats. I give my ducks pellets, oats, and raisins every morning. Both oats and raisins are full of energy and will give the ducks the energy they need for that day. Sometimes I also add bananas for some extra potassium in the mix. The ducks really enjoy the sweet flavor from all foods.
Can ducklings eat raisins?
Ducklings can eat raisins after they’ve turned four weeks of age. Ducklings require more protein in their first weeks, so it’s important to give them a special duckling feed. After a while, you can start to incorporate raisins gradually into their diet as they grow up. First, when they are adults, you can give them raisins as a daily staple.
🍍 Did you know that ducks love different kinds of fruits? It is important to know what fruits you can give to ducks and which fruits will harm them. I wrote a resource going through over 30 different and explained whether ducks could eat them or not.
Do ducks like to eat raisins?
Ducks love the taste of raisins. The sweet taste in combination with ease of eating them is key. Ducks don’t have a stop button when eating and will eat until there’s no food left. It’s therefore important, you do the portion control and only give the required amount each day. Otherwise, the risk of becoming obese is high for the ducks.
Can ducks eat raw raisins?
Raisins do not need to be cooked or prepared. The ducks prefer them in their natural state. They prefer the raisins served in a bucket of water to be easier for them to consume. Please don’t throw the raisins into their swimming water. The risk of algae growth will increase and disturb the ecosystem below the surface.
Can ducks eat cooked raisins?
Ducks can eat cooked raisins, but it isn’t necessary to cook them. Ducks prefer raisins as they are. Warmed raisins aren’t important for ducks. If you have made porridge and added raisins (without milk), it can be fine to give your ducks warm, but they don’t really care if the food is warm or cold.
🍅 Vegetables are mandatory in a duck’s diet. There are multiple vegetables ducks can eat, and some are bad for them. Learn more about what vegetables they can eat here.
Can ducks eat frozen raisins?
If you don’t want your raisins to spoil, it might be a good idea to freeze them. Raisins have a greater expiration span than grapes and can last for long in the pantry. If the box hasn’t been opened, it can be good even a year after the expiration date. However, it will lose some of its qualities. You can freeze raisins and feed them to ducks, as long as you defrost them before feeding them. Frozen raisins are usually really hard and have stuck together, creating a big raisin. Defrost them before serving so you can feed them individually.
Can ducks eat grapes?
Ducks can eat grapes, and they love it as much as eating raisins. I wrote an entire resource about feeding grapes to ducks. You might want to check it out.
🍒 You can also give human foods to ducks occasionally. There are some foods you should avoid giving them. Find out what human foods you can give to ducks here.
Can ducks eat moldy raisins?
You should never give food that has mold on it to an animal. Mold is toxic and can be lethal for both animals and humans. If you have moldy raisins, you can add them to your compost. Microorganisms in the compost will take care of the moldy raisins for you.
Can ducks eat pickled grapes or pickled raisins?
Ducks should not eat anything that has been pickled. Pickled food is in a jar with vinegar, salt, and sugar—three things you shouldn’t feed ducks. The vinegar is acidic and may cause acid reflux. The salt dehydrates the duck, and the sugar can make them overweight.
🌿 Wild ducks love to eat herbs. If you have ducks in your backyard, you might want to plant some herbs for the ducks to eat. Find out what to plant and which to avoid.
Safe ways to feed raisins to ducks
It is easy to feed ducks raisins safely. Raisins don’t need to be cut into smaller pieces or require cooking. You can give them as they are, and the ducks are happy.
1. Feed the raisins in water
The easiest way to feed your ducks raisins is to add them to water. Instead of throwing the raisins into the water the ducks swim in, add them to a bucket filled with water. The ducks will enjoy grabbing the raisins with their beaks.
It’s important not to throw the raisins in the pond since that will increase algae growth and disturb the ecosystem.
2. Add raisins to their food
Adding raisins to their other food is a safe way to ensure the ducks enjoy eating everything. A dry mix with pellets and oats can be quite dull, but it can really lift the entire feeding experience for them if you add raisins to it.
3. Make a salad for your ducks
Salads can be pretty fun if you prepare the salad for someone else. And especially if the receiver of the salad are foodies who enjoy most foods and appreciate almost everything.
Ducks can eat many vegetables and fruits, and you can easily add them to the salad.
Examples of foods you can give to your duck to make a perfect salad for them.
Fruit salad for ducks:
- Raisins
- Grapes
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Kiwi
- Watermelon
- Bananas
If you are making a salad for your ducks, make sure not to feed any of these foods: avocado, lemon, orange, spinach, garlic, onion, green onions, and eggplants.
4. Make porridge for your ducks
One of the best things my ducks like to eat is porridge.
Making porridge is really simple and doesn’t take much time as long as you’ve done measuring.
For my 6 ducks, I give 300 grams of oats and 300 grams of raisins. Sometimes, I even add some other fruits or vegetables. Nuts can also be a good addition. Peas, bananas, strawberries, and chopped peanuts are excellent.
I’m one of those who make porridge in the microwave. I mix the oats with raisins in a large bowl that is microwave-friendly. I add tap water to cover both the oats and raisins. I microwave on high for 2-3 minutes. When it’s done, I add some more water and stir it around. I let it cool for a bit and move it to two bigger bowls so the ducks don’t need to shove. Add some toppings, and they are ready to serve.
5. Throw the raisins to the ground
If you visit the park and want to give the ducks a treat, this one is for you. By just throwing the raisins to the ground, you encourage the ducks to their instincts and forage for food. In the wild, ducks forage for food all the time. However, you should never throw raisins to the pond where the duck swim, especially if it’s a public pond or lake. When foods are thrown into the pond, they will grow algae quicker and destroy the ecosystems below the surface.
🥜 Ducks are nuts about nuts. There are some nuts you should never feed ducks. Find out which one here. One starts with A, and it isn’t Almond.
Unsafe ways to feed raisins to ducks
There are some things to be aware of when feeding raisins to ducks and should be avoided. Feeding ducks in an unsafe way can be harmful to your ducks, and in some ways, also lethal. There are four major things to be acknowledged before feeding raisins to ducks.
1. Feeding moldy raisins to ducks
If your raisins have been in your pantry for so long they have started to grow mold; it’s important to throw them out. Feeding moldy food to ducks or any other animal is cruel and could end up killing them. Mold is highly toxic and should be thrown into your compost pile instead. The microorganisms in the compost will thankfully take it off your hands.
2. Feeding frozen raisins to ducks
Ducks can eat frozen raisins if they have been defrosted first. When freezing raisins for later use, they most likely stuck together with other raisins. It’s important to defrost and separate the raisins. An easy way to do this is to put them in a container with a lid and shake it. After some shakes, the raisins have been separated. It might help if you add a splash of water before shaking.
3. Feeding old raisins to ducks
Raisins have a very long expiration date and can often be stored several years if unopened. However, if the raisins container has been opened and they have expired, it isn’t safe to feed them to the ducks. With age, raisins lose quality and nutrients. You can’t notice an external difference, but inside the raisins, there have been some changes.
You can donate the old (non-moldy) raisins to an ant hill nearby. Ants love sugar and dried fruits. Spread some raisins around the ant hill and watch them go nuts, bringing the raisins inside to their queen.
4. Feeding too much raisins to ducks
Raisins are high in calories, and feeding them too much can lead to obesity. If adjustments aren’t made in their other feed, they will have a surplus of calories, making them overweight. When you have ducks, you will need to calculate the amount of calories they receive and how much they should have with a veterinarian.
How often should I feed raisins to my ducks?
You can feed raisins to your ducks as often as you want, as long as you adjust to the other foods in your duck’s diet. Raisins are pretty high in calories, and 100 grams are 285 calories. It’s important to beware of the other calories in a duck’s diet before adding raisins. A duck needs roughly 1400 calories per day, depending on what type of duck and its purpose. For me, who have the ducks as companions give around 1400 calories per day. They receive oats, raisins, and some fruits and berries along with their duck pellets each morning.
How much raisin can I feed my ducks?
The amount of raisin you can give your ducks is determined by the other food in their diet. If raisins fit in the duck’s calorie budget, you can add it, and should as long as your ducks receive all the required minerals and vitamins.
I have incorporated 50 grams of raisins per duck each day at breakfast with duck pellets, oats, and other fruits. This gives them a lot of energy for the day and keeps them happy until lunchtime.
🥩 Ducks are omnivores which means they can eat both plant-based and meat options. Find out what meat ducks can eat.
How to store raisins for my ducks?
I often get asked how I store my raisins safely, so they won’t go bad and can’t be accessed by unwelcomed guests. I store raisins in the bag they come in. I always buy Sun-Maids 64 oz bag, which is resealable. I shake it sometimes before getting out the raisins, so they get unstuck, pour in some in a bowl, and measure it on a scale. Super easy!
Before, I bought them in a can but would notice they weren’t kept fresh enough. But the resealable bag Sun-Maid is using is perfect.
Health benefits for ducks feeding them raisins
Raisins contain potassium, vitamin b6, iron, and magnesium which all are paramount in a duck’s diet. Raisins are almost 600mg potassium per 100 grams, which is an extraordinary amount.
Potassium in raisins for ducks
Potassium is important in the duck’s diet. Potassium helps to regulate the fluid balance and keeping the cells healthy. Beyond raisins, other foods that contain a good amount of potassium ducks can eat are bananas, broccoli, brussels sprouts, peas, lentils, nuts, potatoes, and tomatoes.
Vitamin B6 in raisins for ducks
Vitamin B6 is essential for turning food into energy (Metabolism). It helps iron with the production of hemoglobin. It’s also crucial for healthy and functioning cells. Foods ducks can eat containing vitamin b6 are peanuts, fish, oats, bananas, and soybeans.
Iron in raisins for ducks
Iron is important for the production of hemoglobin. Alongside vitamin b6, it helps produce the protein hemoglobin, which transfers oxygen from the lungs to different body parts. Iron-rich foods ducks can eat are lentils, beans, cashews, pumpkin seeds, kale, and quinoa.
Magnesium in raisins for ducks
Magnesium is often known to ensure brain, nerve, digestive and reproductive health in ducks and other birds. Without magnesium, the duck’s beaks, legs, and nerve impulses suffer greatly. Try to incorporate magnesium in the duck’s diet. Ducks can eat the following foods containing magnesium: potatoes, edamame, okra, salmon, cashews, almonds, and various cooked beans.
Conclusion
Ducks can eat raisins, and they love it. Raisins are an excellent addition to most foods you give them—especially oats. Ducklings can eat raisins but shouldn’t before they’ve turned four weeks of age. Until then, they need to eat special duckling pellets with a high amount of protein helping them grow.
Ducks can also eat grapes which also is great for them. It doesn’t matter which grape – they can eat them all.
Raisins are best to give in their natural form and not cooked in either way. It is important to feed the raisins in moderation since they are pretty high in calories. Ducks can eat frozen raisins if they are defrosted first. Defrost them in the fridge and put them inside a container with a lid, and shake until they are separated from each other.
You shouldn’t give ducks rotten, old, or moldy raisins. They are toxic and can kill your ducks. If you have old raisins without any symptoms of mold or rot – you can give them to your local ant hill.
Don’t feed the ducklings pickled grapes or pickled raisins. The vinegar, salt, and sugar aren’t good for them.
Safe ways of feeding raisins to ducks are:
- Feed the raisins in water
- Add raisins to their food
- Make a salad for your ducks
- Make porridge for your ducks
- Throw the raisins to the ground
Unsafe ways to feed raisins to ducks are:
- Feeding moldy raisins to ducks
- Feeding frozen raisins to ducks
- Feeding old raisins to ducks
- Feeding too much raisins to ducks
You can feed raisins to your ducks as often as you want, as long as you adjust to the other foods in your duck’s diet. The amount of raisin you can give your ducks is determined by the other food in their diet. If raisins fit in the duck’s calorie budget, you can add it, and should as long as your ducks receive all the required minerals and vitamins.
The best way to store raisins is to use a ziplocked bag. I buy the Sun-Maids 64 oz bag, which is resealable. I shake it sometimes before getting out the raisins, so they get unstuck, pour in some in a bowl, and measure it on a scale.
Raisins contain potassium, vitamin b6, iron, and magnesium which all are paramount in a duck’s diet.
