Beginning poultry farmers are concerned with the question: is it possible to use seeds to feed ducks? To answer this, you need to understand what the diet of poultry consists of. What elements and minerals does a duck need when growing? And only then start preparing nutritional mixtures, giving sunflower in its pure form. The benefits of this approach will be undoubted.
Do ducks eat seeds?
Ducks, both domestic and wild, enjoy eating seeds and grains. But there are differing opinions on how exactly to give sunflowers – whole, crushed, in husks.Considering that the most common oil, sunflower, is squeezed out of the seeds, introducing them into the duck’s diet will be beneficial.
Even in the cake, a by-product of oil production, quite a lot of useful substances remain. It is no coincidence that mash for poultry and cattle based on sunflower processing waste is so popular among farmers. The seed contains:
- Magnesium.
- Calcium.
- Zinc.
- Iron.
- Fluorine.
In addition, it contains vitamins A, B, E, D. Such a set for duck cannot be unhealthy. Quite the contrary. It will help poultry bred for slaughter gain weight faster. In addition to sunflowers, ducks can be fed pumpkin seeds (also rich in minerals and vitamins), cereals - wheat, corn, oats, etc.The main advantage of grains is that they contain a large amount of carbohydrates necessary for the growth of poultry and the development of young animals.
Advantages and disadvantages
In its natural habitat, a duck eats everything, not neglecting insects, larvae, and plant foods. Therefore, many poultry farmers in the summer specifically try to feed their pets by releasing them into reservoirs, ponds, and small creeks. Also, to create a balanced diet, it is a good idea to give the duck cabbage or any greens.
Primary processing occurs in the false goiter - this is a branch of the esophagus. This is where the food begins to swell. Enzymes are activated that break down fiber. The partially digested food is then dumped into the stomach.Seeds and grains in a rough shell (for example, oats) break down less easily. A duck cannot break the husk with its beak, and enzymes cannot break down the hard outer layer.
It turns out that it makes sense to crush and give exfoliated kernels to help the bird fully digest the food. Although disputes between farmers do not subside. Some people believe that a duck is able to properly digest sunflower even in the husk. And some people prefer to prepare a mash of crushed seeds, herbs, and silage.
How to give seeds to a duck?
Perhaps the most important question for every farmer is how exactly to give sunflower kernels to a duck. Peeled, crushed, or with husks. Often the seed is included in the mash along with bone meal, bran, herbs, and chopped fish.
There is a reason for this: the result is a feed balanced in terms of minerals and vitamins, which is readily eaten and quickly digested by the duck.
Supporters of the opposite point of view are confident that birds can easily digest unpeeled sunflower seeds. As an argument, it is argued that under natural conditions no one peels sunflowers for ducks, and this option does not harm the digestive system, growth and weight gain.
In what cases should birds not be fed seeds?
Restrictions on feeding grain or seed are established for young animals up to 11 days old. He is not yet able to eat fully due to the underdevelopment of his body. You should not feed grain to sick ducks that have obvious digestive problems.
Sunflowers should not be used as the main component of the diet. It is better to add the seed to other products, alternate greens and roughage.
