A duck’s diet is mostly made up of plants and animals that live in water. This can include things like algae, aquatic insects, and small fish. Domestic ducks normally eats a commercial duck diet in the form of pellets, but they can also have eat grains, seeds, vegetables and fruit. But, can ducks eat grapefruit?
No, ducks should not eat grapefruit. It is thought that citrus fruits reduce the ducks calcium absorption, which can lead to thin and fragile eggs.
Ducks love eating treats such as fruit and it’s important that you always do your research before serving them any new treats.
What Is A Grapefruit?
A grapefruit is a citrus fruit that grows on a grapefruit tree. The grapefruit tree is an evergreen tree that can grow to be 30 feet tall. The leaves of the grapefruit tree are dark green and glossy. The flowers of the grapefruit tree are white and have 5 petals. The fruit of the grapefruit tree is a large, round, yellow fruit.
Grapefruit is a citrus fruit that is rich in vitamins and antioxidants. It has a bitter, acidic taste that can be refreshing and invigorating. The fruit is popular in many parts of the world, especially in countries with warm climates.
It is believed that grapefruit was originated in Barbados and then it was introduced to Jamaica. Grapefruit is a hybrid fruit which is obtained by cross breeding of two different species of citrus fruits, namely, the pomelo (Citrus maxima) and the sweet orange (Citrus sinensis).
Grapefruit Nutritional Value
Below is the nutritional value of one whole grapefruit.
- Calories: 104
- Carbs: 26 grams
- Protein: 2 gram
- Fiber: 4 grams
It also contains several healthy vitamins and minerals such as:
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin A
- Potassium
- Thiamine
- Folate
- Magnesium
[Source]
Even tho grapefruit is packed with nutrients, it cannot be fed to ducks.
Other Fruits Ducks Can Eat
There are many other fruits that ducks can eat that is healthy such as:
It’s important that when ducks are given treats it’s not more than 10% of their overall diet. It’s important that they eat a balanced diet keep them healthy and strong. Fruits are often high in natural sugar and should only be given in moderation.
Make sure to see our thorough list of fruits ducks can enjoy.
Conclusion
To sum up, ducks should not eat grapefruit or any citrus fruits. It might cause their eggshells to become weakened and thin. It’s better to be safe and give them other fruits that you know is healthy for them.
It’s too bad that ducks can’t eat grapefruit, because they are full of healthy nutrients that are known to help strengthen the immune system, better heart health and the vitamin C would have helped the ducks with stress during hot weather.
If you want to feed ducks at the park, remember that more people might have already fed them and overfeeding wild ducks might cause them health issues. So always feed them in moderation.
Thanks for reading, take care!
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for informational purposes only. I'm not an expert or a veterinarian.
