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Do Ducks Eat Duckweed? (All You Need to Know)

The word duckweed instantly reminds us of ducks. So, it is natural to have questions about it. What is duckweed? Do ducks like eating it?

Duckweeds are a type of plant that grows and floats on water. The plant covers the surface of the water. It is renowned for its rich nutritional value.

Keep reading to learn more about the potentials of the plant being a great source of protein for all kinds of animals.

Do ducks eat duckweed?

Domestic ducks eat duckweed. However, few species of wild ducks do not eat them. Ducks have flat beaks to help them pull up and hold waterweeds like duckweed and algae. When experimenting with a flock of ducks, scientists noted that they preferred the pond covered with duckweeds over the clear one. 

A variety of ducks eat duckweed as a source of protein. Read below to know which breeds of duck commonly devour the plant:

Mallard ducks:

The beautiful, green-headed mallard ducks are known for their love of duckweed.

They are also called dabbling ducks because of the way they eat from the water surface. Mallards eat duckweed when they are young and gradually prefer other foods later in their life.

Wild ducks:

There are many species of wild ducks. Most of the wild ducks like eating duckweed, though not as a primary food source.

Wood ducks:

Wood ducks are arguably the prettiest among waterfowls. They usually live in wooden holes or wooden swamps around ponds and lakes.

Wood ducklings mainly feed on grains or insects. But as they grow older, they begin consuming duckweed from the water surface. 

Muscovy ducks:

Muscovy ducks love fresh duckweed. These large, mostly quiet domesticated ducks are common in the Americas.

According to an experiment conducted at Cantho University, Muscovies were given duckweeds as their primary protein source, and it was received well by them.

Can baby ducks eat duckweed?

Yes. Duckweed is an excellent poultry feed. It is necessary to feed your ducklings safe and unmedicated food. From a day old to 2-week duckling, let them eat chick feed. After that, it is fine to let your ducklings eat duckweed.

Baby ducks need protein-rich food. Duckweed is known for its high protein quotient. So duckweed for baby ducks is a great choice, and they like it too.

Is duckweed safe for ducks?

Yes, duckweed is safe for ducks. There are some toxic foods, such as certain algae. On the other hand, duckweed ensures safety for ducks.

Some research showed that duckweed is more tolerant of environmental toxicity than average aquatic vegetation. So there is no doubt that you can let your ducks eat as much fresh duckweed as they like.

Can ducks survive on duckweed alone?

Duckweed is composed of protein, lipids, and fiber. According to FAO, research showed that adult poultry ducks were still healthy when duckweed replaced their vegetable protein source. On the other hand, very young poultry faces a little weight loss by the replacement.

So, yes. Ducks can survive on duckweed alone, but it is ideal not to feed them only duckweed. You want your duck to get all the vital nutrients. So, it is a must to bring variation in a duck’s diet.

What nutrients does duckweed need to grow?

Duckweed is a vascular plant. So, it needs nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, sodium, calcium, and other micronutrients. You can use aquatic fertilizer or humus to elevate mineral levels.

The most important components for duckweed growth are mineral-rich still water and direct sunlight. Duckweed cannot survive in shady areas.

Where does duckweed grow best?

Duckweed is found abundantly across North America. Naturally, duckweed grows best on the surface of freshwater or organic decaying.

They are mostly seen in ponds, which means moving water and a windy atmosphere are not desired by the plant.

The optimum temperature for the small aquatic plant is 68-36° Fahrenheit. Duckweed can handle temperature extremities. The tropical climate is the best for the plant. But they can survive in all conditions other than deserts and frozen places.

How to grow duckweed?

You can grow duckweed in ponds or aquariums. The method is pretty simple. These plants are tolerant of temperature variations. It demands less and gives back more. To grow your duckweed for your ducks and fish, you can follow the steps below.

Get the essentials:

The very first thing you will need to get is, of course, duckweed pods from your nearest pet store.

You will also need these: a 12-14 inch deep plastic tray, aquatic fertilizer, thermometer, litmus paper for monitoring pH levels, a garden net, and potassium permanganate.

Disinfect your duckweed pods:

Make a concentration of potassium permanganate and water. Use 1 teaspoon of the chemical per 12 gallons of water.

Keeping the duckweed pods in the concentration for 30 seconds will be enough. This will make your duckweed clean from bacteria.

Fill the plastic tray with water and fertilizer:

Clean your plastic tray or container. Don’t use any chemicals or soap. Add plant fertilizer and water.

Make sure the water is oxygenated, preferably taken from a pond. If you do not have access to a pond, then you can use a straw to blow in the water to oxygenate it, or use an oxygenator.

Before adding the duckweed pods, use the litmus paper to check the pH levels. Duckweeds grow best when the pH of the water is 6 to 7.5. Then, add the duckweeds to the container.

Make sure your duckweed receives enough sunlight:

Duckweed needs plenty of sunlight to grow and multiply. Keep your plastic tray or container near a window so that the plant can get at least ten hours of sunlight every day. Direct sunlight is vital for the growth of duckweed.

Wait a week for the plants to multiply and change the water with fresh water.

Transfer the duckweeds to an aquarium or a pond:

Use a garden net and move your duckweed to the location you want. After transferring the duckweed to your aquarium or pond, you do not have to do any further maintenance.

Bear in mind to keep the growth of the plant in check. The reason why you should do it is, duckweed multiplies rapidly. If duckweed covers the whole surface of the pond, it might block oxygen supply and be harmful to fish.

The method of cultivation is straightforward. Duckweed does not require too much care. Water with no visible current and direct sunlight is enough for the healthy growth of the plant.

What ducks eat algae and lilies?

Domestic ducks like Mallards, Runners, Pekins, Cayuga love algae. Duckweed and algae may look similar, but they are very different.

Ducks eat algae as well as duckweed. Most algae are good for ducks. However, blue-green algae are dangerous for ducks and other animals.

Most ducks will eat parts of water lilies. There are a handful of edible flower plants, but some are toxic for ducks: including some types of lilies and tulips.

What ducks shouldn’t eat?

Feeding ducks is without a doubt a fun activity. But a lot of us do not know which foods are harmful to duck health.

Ducks should never be given junk food or bread. Citrus fruits, such as lemon, will disrupt your duck’s calcium absorption. Spinach also behaves like citrus fruits in a duck’s body.

The digestive system of ducks can not handle dairy products. There might be an allergic reaction to dairy products and sweets in ducks.

Potatoes, tomatoes, eggplants are all highly toxic to ducks. It is suggested to never give your ducks moldy, rotten food.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, most of the duck species are fond of eating duckweed. On top of that, it is a nutritious food source for ducks. You can easily cultivate duckweed by following a few steps. Finally, we can consider duckweed as a potential replacement for traditional protein sources of poultry feed.