Can Ducks Eat Peanuts? Is It Healthy?

Whenever winters start approaching, we all start thinking about dry fruits. Right? Peanuts are the most loved and commonly eaten dry fruit worldwide. They are rich in protein and provide warmth during cold winters. Therefore it has become one of the people’s favorite snacks to munch on. But have you ever thought of feeding peanuts to the ducks? And can Ducks eat peanuts? Read on to know the answer to these common questions on every duck owner’s head.

Can Duck Eat Peanuts?

Yes, Ducks can eat peanuts, but you need to grind or make a paste before feeding your ducks. Otherwise, they might face difficulty ingesting large seeds. Peanuts are rich in proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Therefore they make a perfect snack for ducks but in moderation. Feeding too many peanuts to your ducks might lead to excessive weight gain in them. Also, it would be best to remember that peanut shells should not be served to ducks as they are neither good to taste nor nutritious. Peanuts in limited amounts would offer many health benefits to ducks to maintain overall health.

Can Ducklings Eat Peanuts?

Ducklings eat peanuts with the same interest as adult ducks. After four weeks, ducklings can eat peanuts and their mandatory duckling feed. Peanuts are an excellent source of protein for growing ducklings, most required for developing healthy bones. However, it is essential to remember that peanuts should only be served in small portions as overeating can make ducklings overweight, leading to bone deformities.

Do Ducks Like Eating Peanuts?

No doubt peanuts are amongst one of the most favorite snacks of ducks. Ducks can eat peanuts in any form- paste, spread, butter, or crushed. Ducks are not interested in eating peanut shells. Hence remove shells and then feed peanuts to your ducks. Apart from it, you can also add peanuts to other food items that ducks may not find tasty but are healthy for ducks.

Nutrient Content In Peanuts

Peanuts are amongst the healthiest treats for ducks. It offers several health benefits due to loads of nutrient content in it. Let’s read about the nutrient content in peanuts- 

• Protein– The protein content in peanuts ranges between 22-30%. Ducks require a lot of protein for their proper growth and development during every stage of their lives. Protein helps in repairing muscles and strengthening feathers.
• Fats– Fats in peanuts are polyunsaturated and monounsaturated. Due to the high content of fats in peanuts, they are to be fed in limited amounts to your ducks, as consuming too many peanuts would lead to obesity in them.
• Rich in vitamins and minerals– Peanuts contain Vitamin E, Vitamin B1, i.e. Thiamine, Vitamin B3, i.e. Niacin, Potassium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, and copper.
• Fiber– Fiber helps in smooth digestion in ducks. Peanuts contain little amount of fiber. However, peanut shells are high in fiber but they are not to be fed to your ducks.

See Also: Ducks Eat Oats

Can Ducks Eat Peanut Shells?

Ducks can eat peanut shells, but they don’t like eating them. Peanut shell has no nutrition content and is not even good to taste. Peanut shells are hard to digest, and consuming them can lead to various digestive issues in ducks. Therefore, it is better not to feed your duck peanut shells.

Can Ducks Eat Peanut Butter?

Additives and salt present in peanut butter may lead to poisoning in ducks. But, homemade salt-free and additive-free peanut spreads can be fed to the ducks. It cannot be given as a primary meal but as an occasional treat.

Can Ducks Eat Salted Peanuts?

Salted peanuts should not be fed to ducks as they are not designed to handle even a little amount of salt. Salt causes problems in the ducks. You can feed unsalted and sodium-free peanut paste to ducks and ducklings.

Pros and Cons Of Eating Peanuts

Peanuts are highly nutritious. But only in a limited portion. Too much intake of peanuts could lead to obesity in ducks due to high fat and carbohydrate content. If you serve peanuts as a whole to your ducks, they might choke their throat and die of suffocation. And keep in mind that never offer salted peanuts to ducks as they are high in sodium and can cause dehydration and kidney and liver problems in ducks. Only serve roasted peanuts to the ducks because unroasted peanuts contain lectin. Lectin is toxic and can cause a problem absorbing nutrients such as Calcium and Potassium.

Final Words

Peanuts are indeed an excellent snack for your ducks. They are rich in protein which ducks require in high amounts. But at the same time, you should remember not to overfeed your ducks, as peanuts have a few potential risks that can cause harm to your beloved ducks.