Farmers often wonder whether domestic ducks will eat frogs if they add amphibians to their diet. In nature, waterfowl are almost omnivores: they feed on toad eggs, tadpoles, and readily eat fish, diving deeply. But is it worth feeding domestic ducks with frog meat? Or can I get by with other protein substitutes? Let's settle the issue once and for all.
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Do wild ducks eat frogs?
Many could observe how ducks on reservoirs, within the city, happily feast on all kinds of living creatures. They do not disdain tadpoles, adult frogs. For waterfowl, such “delicacies” are a source of proteins, especially necessary during the period of molting or feather growth.
The duck enjoys eating plant foods - coastal and underwater plants, roots, foliage. Spending almost all their time on the water, adults and young animals periodically dive, plunging to a depth of several meters. There, crustaceans, mollusks, and any small living creatures become their prey.
Birds dive to depths of up to 7 meters, swimming considerable distances underwater. It is believed that the diving duck is capable of swallowing fish up to 20 centimeters long. Therefore, eating a frog is a piece of cake for her. Adults teach their cubs to swim and hunt from an early age. Month-old ducks begin to fish on their own. Before this, caviar, fry, and tadpoles are suitable for them.
Still a preference wild duck gives plant food found on the shore or in the depths to various roots. Frogs cannot be considered a constant component of their diet.
Is it possible to give frogs to domestic ducks?
The digestive system of domestic ducks differs little from that of their wild counterparts. They also easily get used to eating fish, whole or crushed, and various plants.
Some farmers even specifically collect algae and coastal plants to feed the birds.
And you should be careful about frogs. And here are the reasons:
- In nature, the duck feeds on amphibians in extreme cases.
- Poultry meat will acquire a specific swamp smell if you feed it everything.
At the same time, for variety and to increase egg production, during the molting period, it is sometimes allowed to give domestic ducks caught or purchased frogs.
