Ducklings grow quickly and need a protein-rich diet to thrive. Here is what baby ducks eat in the wild and how to feed hand-raised ducklings safely.
What wild ducklings eat
In the wild, ducklings feed themselves from day one, following their mother to water. They eat small insects, larvae, tiny aquatic invertebrates, worms and tender bits of plants and algae. This natural diet is high in protein, which fuels their rapid early growth. As they mature, ducklings gradually eat more seeds and plant matter, moving toward the varied omnivorous diet of adult ducks. For more on the grown-up diet, see what ducks eat.
Feeding hand-raised ducklings
Hand-raised ducklings do best on a commercial duck or waterfowl starter crumb, which is balanced for their needs. Chick starter can be used if it is unmedicated, since some medicated feeds are unsafe for ducklings. Offer plenty of fresh water deep enough to dip their bills and clear their nostrils. You can add finely chopped greens, peas and small mealworms as treats, but the starter feed should form the bulk of their diet.
Foods to avoid
Avoid giving ducklings bread, which fills them up without real nutrition and can cause growth problems. Skip salty, sugary or processed human foods entirely. Never feed medicated chick feed unless it is confirmed safe for waterfowl. Whole seeds, nuts and large chunks of food are choking hazards for young ducklings, so keep treats small and soft. When in doubt, stick to a proper starter crumb and clean water. See our water birds hub for more guidance.