What do you feed backyard ducks?

Never feed ducks bread, crackers, chips, popcorn, or other processed human foods. These items are nutritionally empty for waterfowl and cause real harm over time.

Provide a balanced commercial feed specifically formulated for waterfowl. These pellets or crumbles are the simplest way to give ducks a complete, nutritionally appropriate diet as their primary food source.

Offer crushed oyster shell as a free-choice calcium supplement for ducks that are actively laying eggs. Place it in a separate container near their regular feed.

Supplement your ducks' main feed with fresh greens and chopped vegetables daily. This adds variety, extra vitamins, and valuable enrichment to their diet.

When waterfowl-specific feed is unavailable, use a non-medicated chick starter or grower feed and add a niacin (Vitamin B3) supplement to bridge the nutritional gap.

Offer commercial poultry grit in a separate container if your ducks do not free-range on varied terrain with natural access to small stones and pebbles.

Give ducks small portions of fresh fruit as occasional treats alongside their regular feed. Berries, watermelon, sliced apples, and bananas are all well-received options.