You probably think twice after you throw leftover apples to ducks; well, you don’t have to any more as these birds do eat apples!As long as the seeds and core of the apple are removed, feeding your ducks apples is safe. You must also cut it up into slices before letting them eat apples.Ducks can’t consume a whole apple on their own, so cutting it up into slices should make it easier for them to eat this tasty fruit. Apple is filled with a variety of nutrients and antioxidants. It contains sodium, carbs, fiber, and a good amount of water. It is the perfect summer day fruit as it is refreshing. The skin of the apple is especially healthy for ducks so ensure that you do not peel it off before feeding your ducks.While this fruit is perfectly safe for when you feed your ducks or duck (or if you feed ducks at the park), there are some factors you should look out for. Firstly, the core of the apple is quite difficult for a duck to digest so you should just remove it. Secondly, apples should be cut into small sizes and given to a duck as big slices can get stuck in a duck’s throat.Let’s keep reading to know more on can ducks eat apples! Afterward, do read that can ducks fly and can ducks eat banana?Are apples safe for ducks?In the wild, ducks are known to feed on apples as a delicious feast for them. But for domestic ducks, devouring an entire apple wouldn’t be easy and could lead to some health concerns. It should be cut up into small slices before offering your pets this delicious fruit treat. Ducks have a tough time swallowing big slices of apple treats and can’t eat the core of the apple. If you have a pet duck, please ensure that you feed your ducks apple slices as treats without any seeds present in them.The seeds of an apple contain cyanide trace amounts. For large animals and humans, this isn’t much of a problem as it is consumed by them in small quantities. However, it can be an issue for birds like ducks. Since these birds are small creatures, even a couple of these apple seeds is said to kill these birds. This is the case for baby ducklings. This goes for most of the fruits out there that have seeds present in them.This is why you see that a lot of the people who feed ducks at duck ponds don’t have any apple treats with them as it can be a source of poison for these birds if not given properly. Ducks that are under 12 weeks old shouldn’t be fed apples. This is because apples are particularly hard in nature and end up becoming toxic for these birds. Even for larger ducks, giving them apple slices in small pieces without any seeds is necessary. There is also a better option for this: giving your duck applesauce.This is so much more convenient as you don’t have to worry about the many factors to consider before feeding a duck apple. You can blend apple slices in a blender. This option is also a healthier choice as apple sauce has comparatively lesser sugar in it. Store brought apple sauce must be avoided as it is quite high in preservatives.Can ducks eat apples with seeds?Although apples are a healthy and tasty snack for a human being, they vary a little for ducks. It is totally healthy for ducks to consume them as part of their diet, but there are some factors to consider before giving birds this nutrient-dense fruit.Apples contain vitamin A which helps in developing good eyesight and a strong immune system. Without vitamin A in their diet, ducks may experience night blindness. Another vitamin in this fruit is vitamin C, which protects each system of the body against tissue and cell damage. It also improves iron absorption and collagen production, resulting in healthier bones and skin.Along with this, vitamin A works with vitamin D toward the overall growth and development of the body. Fruit (like apple) also consists of fiber, which helps in a healthier digestive system; calcium, which helps to build strong bones and teeth; and potassium which maintains the nervous system well. So the benefits of eating an apple are of numerous kinds, and your duck would benefit a lot from eating this fruit, health-wise. Niacin, protein, and calcium are also important for the growth of ducklings, so you can feed them fruits and greens rich in these nutrients as a part of their diet.But some risks must be taken care of before using apples or other greens for backyard ducks. One of the main reasons a duck enjoys eating this fruit so much is because of the sugar present in it. Apples are generally sweet in nature and ducks love the taste. Given in excessive amounts to a duck, apples can be harmful. If a duck consumes too much sugar by eating a lot of apples, it can end up gaining a lot of weight.Using excessive apples for ducks could also lead to more serious problems like cardiac stress and high blood pressure. As long as you feed your duck apple slices within limits, you don’t have to worry about this. You must also see that all the seeds and apple cores are removed before feeding this fruit in small amounts to a duck as it can be harmful to feed them with it. Feeding them apples once a week is advisable.Can ducks eat applesauce?Ducks are said to be some of the trickiest pets to keep and raise. A major reason for this is the birds’ complex eating habits. There are a lot of different kinds of food a duck can survive on out there, but there are also a lot that is harmful to them.Apples are seen as the go-to choice for pet owners as they are a duck’s favorite snack to munch on. However, there are a lot of things an owner has to ensure before tossing an apple treat towards their pet duck. A pet owner may also be wondering if applesauce is a good alternative for an apple to give your ducks once or twice a week. Let’s dive right into these!Apples are a great fruit and very healthy for both humans and animals alike as they promote a disease-free lifestyle. For ducks, apples can only be fed in small quantities and without any seeds present in them. For easier digestion, you could also feed your duck apple peel as it is packed with nutritious substances and is very healthy for them. It also becomes less of a hassle for the pet owner as they don’t have to analyze a lot of factors before feeding their backyard ducks their favorite fruit. Another great alternative a duck owner could opt for is feeding it applesauce.Since there are no apple seeds or the core of the apple present in this, it makes it much easier to feed them and for the duck to digest it as well. Applesauce is also said to have less sugar than an apple, so it becomes much healthier for them to slurp on this. Furthermore, a pet owner must feed them this applesauce by making it from scratch. They can blend an apple in the blender and it is a very easy task to do. Buying store-bought applesauce is not healthy for ducks. You also shouldn’t feed a baby duck any form of apples until they are two weeks or above in age. It is recommended to give them a free choice in terms of what they wish to eat.How often can ducks feed on apples?Apples are extremely delicious and healthy fruits that can be eaten by ducks. But along with the many factors you must consider before feeding an apple to a duck, a pet owner must also think about the quantity they are feeding to their pet.If ducks eat too many apples, they may gain weight due to the immense amount of sugar present in the fruit. They may also become lazy and sleep more. To avoid any health effects for your pet duck, keep track of how many apple slices you are feeding it every day. This fruit should be given as a treat for ducks and not be their regular source of food. Their food could be tomatoes, peas, corn, and other healthy veggies.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for ‘Can ducks eat apples?’, then why not take a look at ‘Can ducks eat mango?’ or ‘Diving duck facts’?
You probably think twice after you throw leftover apples to ducks; well, you don’t have to any more as these birds do eat apples!
