Our duck feeding guide is not a substitute for professional poultry treatment. This is a tool for informational purposes only, please use with caution. A toxic or allergic reaction may not be visible or immediate. Harmful foods can take time to show symptoms. 


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No! Do not feed your duck yogurt. It can be harmful. Ducks do not have the digestive system to process dairy. While some ducks appear to have no issue with small amounts of dairy, we do not recommend feeding it in any amount. Dairy can cause life threatening inflammation of the intestinal tract and diarrhea.

No! Do not feed your duck cow’s milk. It can be harmful. Ducks do not have the digestive system to process dairy. While some ducks appear to have no issue with small amounts of dairy, we do not recommend feeding it in any amount. Dairy can cause life threatening inflammation of the intestinal tract and diarrhea.

No! Do not feed your duck any cheese. It can be harmful. Ducks do not have the digestive system to process dairy. While some ducks appear to have no issue with small amounts of dairy, we do not recommend feeding it in any amount. Dairy can cause life threatening inflammation of the intestinal tract and diarrhea.

No! Do not feed your duck kefir. It can be harmful. Ducks do not have the digestive system to process dairy. While some ducks appear to have no issue with small amounts of dairy, we do not recommend feeding it in any amount. Dairy can cause life threatening inflammation of the intestinal tract and diarrhea.

No! Do not feed your duck butter. It can be harmful. Ducks do not have the digestive system to process dairy. While some ducks appear to have no issue with small amounts of dairy, we do not recommend feeding it in any amount. Dairy can cause life threatening inflammation of the intestinal tract and diarrhea.

No! Do not feed your duck ice cream. It can be harmful. Ducks do not have the digestive system to process dairy or sugar. While some ducks appear to have no issue with small amounts of dairy, we do not recommend feeding it in any amount. Dairy can cause life threatening inflammation of the intestinal tract and diarrhea.

No! Do not feed your duck azalea flowers. They are toxic and can be harmful.

Yes! Borage is a beneficial flower full of calcium, Vitamin A, Vitamin B-3, beta carotene, omega 6 and fatty acids. The blue and sometimes pink flowers are a nutritious treat for ducks. Annual | Full Sun | Bloom: Summer

No! Do not feed your duck buttercup flowers. They are toxic and can be harmful.

Yes! Calendula flowers are a great addition to a duck’s diet. The bright yellow and orange petals are full of vitamins and health beneficial properties. Calendula flowers can help with inflammation, ringworm, wounds, scrapes, dermatitis as well as hot spots. 
 Annual | Full Sun | Bloom: Summer

No! Do not feed your duck clematis flowers. They are toxic and can be harmful.

Yes but with caution! There is some debate about if you should feed ducks clover and clover blossoms. While the plant and blossoms are highly nutritious with calcium, niacin, potassium, Vitamin A + B, protein and iron, they do contain coumarin. The controversy is that this a natural blood thinner. While in small, fresh amounts, it appears to be okay. The issues arise in dried, tightly compact bales when the clover might become moldy, allowing certain fungus to change the coumarin from a health benefit to a toxin. Proceed with caution. Perennial | Full Sun | Bloom: Spring

No! Do not feed your duck daffodil flowers. They are toxic and can be harmful.

Yes! This common lawn “weed” is a great addition to a duck’s diet. Dandelion leaves and flowers are one of the more nutritious plants out there. They work as a natural detoxifier while containing high amounts of Vitamin A, protein, calcium and iron. Dandelions also aid in digestion. Perennial | Full Sun | Bloom: Spring

Yes! Echinacea flowers are full of antioxidants that can help improve a duck’s respiratory health and immune system. The petals, leaves and stem are all edible. Perennial | Full Sun | Bloom: Summer

No! Do not feed your duck foxglove flowers. They are toxic and can be harmful.

No! Do not feed your duck honeysuckle flowers. They are toxic and can be harmful.

No! Do not feed your duck hyrangea flowers. They are toxic and can be harmful.

No! Do not feed your duck iris flowers. They are toxic and can be harmful.

No! Do not feed your duck jasmine flowers. They are toxic and can be harmful.

No! Do not feed your duck lily of the valley flowers. They are toxic and can be harmful.

No! Do not feed your duck lobelia flowers. They are toxic and can be harmful.

No! Do not feed your duck lupine flowers. They are toxic and can be harmful.

Yes! This brightly colored flower is full of antioxidants and helps to promote new skin tissue growth. Feeding ducks marigolds will result in brighter yellow or orange yolks. Annual | Full Sun | Bloom: Spring, Summer, Fall

No! Do not feed your duck narcissus flowers. They are toxic and can be harmful.

Yes! This easy to grow plant boasts peppery edible leaves and flowers containing high levels of Vitamin C. Annual | Full Sun | Bloom: Summer, Fall

No! Do not feed your duck oleander flowers. They are toxic and can be harmful.

No! Do not feed your duck periwinkle flowers. They are toxic and can be harmful.

No! Do not feed your duck rhododendron flowers. They are toxic and can be harmful.

Yes! Rose petals are edible but are 95 percent water so they offer little nutritional value. They do contain a trace amount of Vitamin C. Perennial | Full Sun | Bloom: Summer

Yes! These delicate blossoms are a source of iron, calcium and Vitamin A. Harvest some of the male flowers, leaving the female flowers to produce the squash. The male flowers often develop first and have a straight, narrow stem. The female blossoms have a swollen stem. Annual | Full Sun | Bloom: Summer

No! Do not feed your duck St. John's wort flowers. They are toxic and can be harmful.

No! Do not feed your duck sweet pea flowers. They are toxic and can be harmful.

No! Do not feed your duck tulip flowers. They are toxic and can be harmful.

Yes! This plant boasts edible heart-shaped leaves and petitepurple flowers. Violets contain Vitamin C, Vitamin A and phytocompounds prized for helping to treat skin and respiratory issues, improve circulation, as well as reduce inflammation and anxiety. Biennial | Part Shade | Bloom: Spring

No! Do not feed your duck wisteria flowers. They are toxic and can be harmful.

Yes! Yarrow flowers have been shown to repel parasites as well as kill mosquito larvae. Their anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties are great for ducks digestive and respiratory health. Perennial | Full Sun | Bloom: Summer

No! Do not feed your duck avocados. They are toxic and can be harmful. No part of the avocado is safe (skin, flesh or pit). It can cause a heartattack.

Yes

No! Do not feed your duck clementines. There is some debate about if you should feed ducks citrus fruits. While some have ducks appear to have no issue (or desire to eat it) we recommend avoiding it. Eating citrus fruit may disrupt a duck’s ability to properly absorb calcium. When a duck’s calcium content is low her egg laying habits will likely decrease and the shells will be thin and break easily.

No! Do not feed your duck grapefruit. There is some debate about if you should feed ducks citrus fruits. While some ducks appear to have no issue (or desire to eat it) we recommend avoiding it. Eating citrus fruit may disrupt a duck’s ability to properly absorb calcium. When a duck’s calcium content is low her egg laying habits will likely decrease and the shells will be thin and break easily.

No! Do not feed your duck lemons. There is some debate about if you should feed ducks citrus fruits. While some have ducks appear to have no issue (or desire to eat it) we recommend avoiding it. Eating citrus fruit may disrupt a duck’s ability to properly absorb calcium. When a duck’s calcium content is low her egg laying habits will likely decrease and the shells will be thin and break easily.

No! Do not feed your duck mandarins. There is some debate about if you should feed ducks citrus fruits. While some ducks appear to have no issue (or desire to eat it) we recommend avoiding it. Eating citrus fruit may disrupt a duck’s ability to properly absorb calcium. When a duck’s calcium content is low her egg laying habits will likely decrease and the shells will be thin and break easily.

No! Do not feed your duck oranges. There is some debate about if you should feed ducks citrus fruits. While some ducks appear to have no issue (or desire to eat it) we recommend avoiding it. Eating citrus fruit may disrupt a duck’s ability to properly absorb calcium. When a duck’s calcium content is low her egg laying habits will likely decrease and the shells will be thin and break easily.

Be Careful.

No! Do not feed your duck tangerines. There is some debate about if you should feed ducks citrus fruits. While some ducks appear to have no issue (or desire to eat it) we recommend avoiding it. Eating citrus fruit may disrupt a duck’s ability to properly absorb calcium. When a duck’s calcium content is low her egg laying habits will likely decrease and the shells will be thin and break easily.

Yes

Yes

Yes! Generally ants are safe for ducks to eat. Fire ants can be a hazard for ducks.

No! A duck might try to eat a bee which could result in an injured throat or stomach or the bee stinging the duck.

Yes! Black soldier fly larvae (BSF) are a great source of sustainable protein. They're full of essentiasl nutrients and calcium. BSF have 85x more calcium than mealworms. They contain 36-42% protein, 25-30% healthy fat as well as phosphorus, fiber, lysine and dietary fat.

Yes but with caution! Do not feed smaller ducks banana slugs. It can be harmful. Banana slugs excrete a sticky substance as defense that can make it difficult for smaller ducks to swallow. Larger ducks and geese sometimes roll the slugs in soil to bypass the slime.

Yes! Crickets are a great source of sustainable protein. They're a complete protein that include all 9 essential amino acids. Crickets are packed with vitamins, nutrients and minerals such as vitamin B12, A and B2. They also contain magnesium, iron, calcium and zinc.

No! While ducks "can" eat fire ants they should not. Fire ants can be a bigger issue for ducklings and young ducks. Fire ants inject a venom that can cause the duck severe pain, swelling and localized necrosis.

Yes! Flies are safe for ducks to eat.

Yes! Garden slugs are safe for ducks to eat.

No! A duck might try to eat a hornet which could result in an injured throat or stomach or the hornet stinging the duck.

Yes! Mealworms are a great source of sustainable protein. They're full of important nutrients, iron and contain all essential amino and fatty acids.

Yes! Mosquitos and mosquito larvae are safe for ducks to eat.

Yes! Spiders are safe for ducks to eat. As long as the duck is not bitten, the posion from a poisious spider (example: black widow) will not have any effect when ingested.

No! A duck might try to eat a wasp which could result in an injured throat or stomach or the wasp stinging the duck.

Yes! Worms are safe for ducks to eat and a favorite garden snack.

No! A duck might try to eat a yellow jacket which could result in an injured throat or stomach or the yellow jacket stinging the duck.

This is a personal preference if you'd like to feed your duck animal protein. Feeding your duck cooked, unprocessed and unspoiled beef meat is safe.

This is a personal preference if you'd like to feed your duck animal protein. Feeding your duck cooked, unprocessed and unspoiled chicken meat is safe.

This is a personal preference if you'd like to feed your duck animal protein. Feeding your duck cooked, unprocessed and unspoiled deer (venison) meat is safe.

This is a personal preference but we do not recommend feeding your duck any type of duck meat (cooked, unspoiled or unprocessed).

This is a personal preference if you'd like to feed your duck animal protein. Feeding your duck cooked, unprocessed and unspoiled pork meat is safe.

Yes! Both black oil and striped sunflower seeds are ok to feed to ducks. With or without shell is okay. Please make sure to only feed sunflower seeds without salt or added flavoring.

Yes! Pumpkin seeds both raw or roasted without salt are a great treat for ducks. Raw pumpkin seeds are also a natural way to help kill internal parasites such as worms.

Yes! Ducks can eat raw and roasted walnuts. They're rich in protein, fiber and many vitamins and minerals.

Yes but with caution! Chia seeds are safe for ducks eat but make sure to either soak the chia seeds before feeding them or have lots of available water to drink to prevent dehydration.

Yes but with caution! Hemp seeds are safe for ducks but do not feed hemp seeds in large amounts to avoid fatty liver issues. They are highly digestible and can help improve egg quality. Ducks that eat hemp seeds have been shown to have increased levels of omega-3 fatty acid in their eggs.

Yes but with caution! Watermelon seeds are safe for ducks to eat. Make sure to have free choice grit available to help them break down the hard, fiberous hull.

No! Apple seeds are not safe for ducks to eat. They contain trace amounts of cyanide that can be harmful to ducks even in small amounts.

No! Do not feed your duck any stone fruit pits. They contain trace amounts of cyanide that can be harmful to ducks even in small amounts. Pits can also pose a crop impaction if many are eaten at once, which can cause serious health issues or death.

Yes! Ducks can eat pomegranate seeds. They're high in antioxidants as well as vitamin E and magnesium.

Yes! Squash seeds are safe for ducks to eat.

Yes! Cucumber seeds are safe for ducks to eat.

Yes! Safflower seeds are safe for ducks and are commonly found in wild birdseed mixes.

Yes but with caution! Sesame seeds are safe for ducks but should be fed sparingly because they are very high in fat. Hulled seasame seeds have an increased amount of calcium and fiber.

Yes! Poppy seeds are safe for ducks to eat. They're commonly found in wild birdseed mixes and do not contain any opium. Avoid Mexican Prickly Poppy as all parts of this plant are toxic to ducks.

Yes! Papaya seeds are safe for ducks and are a great natural deworker. They can help bacterial and parasitic infections as well as inflammations in ducks.

Yes but with caution! Peanuts are high in carbohydrates and protein. Ducks can eat peanuts but not the green skin which contains solanine that can be toxic. It's best to avoid peanuts just to be safe.

Yes! Dry or fresh basil is a great herb to feed to your duck. It's full of antibacterial properties. Basil can help their respiratory system as well as their immune system.

Yes! Bee Balm is a member of the mint family with both edible flowers and leaves. They contain antibacterial properties that are especially helpful for treating respiratory issues. Perennial | Full Sun | Bloom: Summer

Yes! Lemon balm is safe for ducks. This member of the mint family can help relieve stress and is full of antibacterial properties.

Yes! Rosemary is a great addition to a duck’s diet. This common herb can help with pain relief as well as aiding in respiratory health. It is also a natural insecticide that can help repel insects.

Yes! Ducks can eat catnip. It's a natural insecticide and contains compounds that can help with relaxation and reduce stress.

Yes! Ducks are omnivores and will eat small fish. The size of the fish depends on the breed of the duck. Most ducks will be able to eat smaller, feeder fish, guppies or minnows.

Yes! Bok Choy is a nutritious vegetable that is safe to feed ducks. It’s thick white stalks are full of gut-healthy fiber. Studies have shown bok choy’s anti-cancer properties which may be tied to the folate it contains. Folate can help support the production and repair of DNA which in turn might help prevent cancer cells from developing. Bok choy also contains beneficial vitamin C, E and beta-carotene, all which help protect against cellular damage. It’s also one of the rare vegetables that contain selenium.

Yes but with caution! Broccoli is full of health benefits, boasting many vitamins and minerals. Broccoli fed in excessively large amounts could be harmful to ducks.

Yes! Brussel sprouts are safe for ducks raw or boiled. This miniature cabbage-looking vegetable is packed with lots of health beneficial vitamins and antioxidants. Brussel sprouts have tons of vitamin C, a water-soluble antioxidant that helps protect cells against damage and can help improve their immune system. They’re also high in vitamin K that can help support bone health, including protecting against bone loss.

Yes! Red and white cabbage are safe for ducks to eat. Cabbage is a cheap and healthy treat for ducks. It has a variety of health beneficial vitamins like vitamin K, C, B6, folate, manganese, calcium, potassium and magnesium. All colors of cabbage are high in fiber and contain antioxidants and polyphenols that can help reduce chronic inflammation. Cabbage can be served raw or cooked. We recommend rough chopping into bite sized pieces. Pro Tip → Feeding a duck red cabbage may cause discolored poop, such as bright turquoise or deep blue. There’s no need to panic (like I did the first time) they’re okay!

Yes! Cooked or raw, carrots are safe for ducks. They’re an excellent source of antioxidants, potassium, beta carotene, fiber and vitamin K1. Carrots are 88% water so they can help hydrate, too. We recommend cutting into smaller bite sized pieces.

Yes! Chicory is a great addition to your duck’s diet. Their leaves are packed with Vitamin A, B6, C, E and K along with magnesium, zinc, calcium, folic acid and iron. Chicory also contains protein. It’s a great addition to any laying duck’s diet.

Yes! Cucumbers are safe to feed ducks. They're another easy vegetable to grow and readily available at the grocery store. Cucumbers are a low calorie, high hydration treat for ducks. Because their 96% water, cucumbers can be a great treat to help trim an overly chonky duck if needed. Hydration is important for a duck’s overall health, especially on hot summer days. Water plays a critical role in how a duck’s body functions and can help regulate their internal temperature. Cucumbers also contain vitamin C, K, magnesium, potassium and manganese.

No! Do not feed your duck eggplant. They are toxic and can be harmful. Eggplant is a member of the nightshade family which are toxic plants for ducks.

Yes! English peas are safe for ducks. Frozen, fresh, or boiled peas are another favorite vegetable of ducks. Ducks will devour a bowl of peas in water in no time. English peas are readily found in the grocery store and are an affordable, healthy snack. Ducks have keen eyesight and peas can help support their eye health with the carotenoid pigment lutein. This has been shown to reduce the risk of cataracts as well as loss of vision due to old age.

Yes but with caution! Fennel is known to help reproductive health in ducks and works as a laying stimulate. We recommend not pushing your duck to lay more than she naturally would, especially in the off season. Ducks need this time to rest their body. Forcing more eggs to be laid when they normally would not be can lead to a shorter and lower quality life.

Yes! Fresh or powdered ginger is safe to feed ducks. Ginger root is full of antioxidants and is known to help blood flow as well as the overall circulatory system.

Yes but with caution! Ducks can eat lettuce but the type of lettuce fed is important. Iceberg and romaine are high on the list of lettuce to avoid or limit the amount given. They are extra high in water content and can cause diarrhea in your ducks. Look for the deeply pigmented to dark leafy greens like arugula, butter, coral, watercress, mâche or sorrel. Lettuce contains calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium and vitamin A and C.

No! Do not feed your duck onions. They are toxic and can be harmful. Onions contain thiosulfate, a toxin known to kill red blood cells. This can be fatal for a duck in large amounts.

No! Do not feed your duck white, red or yellow potatoes. They are toxic and can be harmful. Potatoes are a member of the nightshade family which are toxic plants for ducks. Sweet potatoes are not part of this family and are a member of the morning glory family. Sweet potatoes are safe to feed ducks in small amounts.

No! Do not feed your duck rhubarb. They contain oxalic acid that is toxic and can be harmful. It can cause thin shelled eggs.

No! Do not feed your duck shallots. They are toxic and can be harmful. Shallots contain thiosulfate, a toxin known to kill red blood cells. This can be fatal for a duck in large amounts.

Yes but with caution! There is some debate about if you should feed ducks spinach. While some ducks appear to have no issue we recommend only feeding your duck extremely limited amounts of spinach. Oxalic acid may disrupt a duck’s ability to properly absorb calcium. When a duck’s calcium content is low her egg laying habits will likely decrease and the shells will be thin and break easily.

Yes! Sweet potatoes are not part of the nightshade family and are a member of the morning glory family. Sweet potatoes are safe to feed ducks in small amounts. Do not feed ducks any white, yellow or red potatoes. They are toxic and can be harmful.

Yes! Swiss chard is safe for ducks to eat. It’s full of beneficial nutrients such as magnesium, iron, folate, vitamin A, K, E, phosphorus and calcium. Phosphorus is key to helping create eggs with thick, sturdy shells as well as improving a ducklings hatchability.

Yes but with caution! There is some debate about if you should feed ducks tomatoes. Tomatoes are a member of the nightshade family which are toxic plants for ducks. They contain the toxin solanine that is known to kill red blood cells and may cause heart failure. A rare red tomato chopped up may be safe but ducks should never be fed any amount of green tomatoes, stems or leaves.

Yes! Zucchini are safe for ducks. Falling under the summer squash family, zucchini is a quick growing garden vegetable your ducks will love to eat. There’s a laundry list of healthy vitamins included in zucchini. This popular squash contains vitamin A, C, K, B6, manganese, potassium, fiber, folate, copper and thiamine. It also contains small amounts of zinc, calcium, iron and several other B vitamins. Zucchini is also packed with cancer fighting carotenoids that have been shown to support eyes, skin and heart health.

No! Do not feed your duck bread. There is some debate about if you should feed ducks bread. While ducks do love bread we recommend avoiding it. Bread has very little nutritional value. Mainly made up of carbohydrates, bread can result in overweight ducks and possibly malnutrition if its their main source of food.

No! Do not feed your duck any candy. It contains a high level of sugar and can be dangerous for a duck’s digestive system which may lead to vomiting or diarrhea.

No! Do not feed your duck wet or dry cat food. It can be harmful. Cat food is high in methionine which can hurt ducks and stunt their growth.

No! Do not feed your ducklings medicated chick starter. Many chick starter food contain medication that is not safe for ducklings. This can be fatal for ducklings. Triple check that the chick starter is non-medicated when feeding to ducklings.

No! Do not feed your duck chocolate. It contains caffeine and theobromine. It can be dangerous for a duck’s digestive system and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, seizures possibly death.

No! Do not feed your duck any caffeinated drinks like coffee. This can be dangerous for ducks and can cause anemia or cardiac issues.

No! Do not feed your duck crackers. There is some debate about if you should feed ducks cracker. While ducks do love crackers we recommend avoiding it. Crackers, like bread, has very little nutritional value. Mainly made up of carbohydrates, crackers can result in overweight ducks and possibly malnutrition if its their main source of food.

No! Do not feed your duck any type of donuts. It contains a high level of sugar and can be dangerous for a duck’s digestive system which may lead to vomiting or diarrhea.

No! Do not feed your duck dry or uncooked beans. They are toxic and can be harmful. Dry beans contain the chemical hemagglutinin and phytohemagglutinin known to harm ducks.

No! Do not feed your duck marshmallows. It contains a high level of sugar. Marshmallows can be a choking hazard as well as dangerous for a duck’s digestive system which may lead to vomiting or diarrhea.

No! Do not feed your duck any food that is moldy or rotten. The mold spores would potentially cause vomitting, diarrhea or other health issues.

No! Do not feed your duck cooked or uncooked pasta. There is some debate about if you should feed ducks cooked pasta. While ducks do love pasta we recommend avoiding it. Pasta has very little nutritional value. Mainly made up of carbohydrates, pasta can result in overweight ducks and possibly malnutrition if its their main source of food.

No! Do not feed your duck popcorn. It does not contain any nutritional value for a duck besides carbohydrates. It can also pose a risk of choking because a duck might have issues swallowing the hard kernels.

No! Do not feed your duck any type of potato chips. Potatoes are toxic and can be harmful. They're a member of the nightshade family which are all toxic plants for ducks. They also contain a high level of oil and salt that can be dangerous for a duck’s digestive system which may lead to vomiting or diarrhea.

No! Do not feed your duck any caffeinated drinks like tea. This can be dangerous for ducks and can cause anemia or cardiac issues.