Can Ducks Eat Celery? (And Should They?)

There is no doubt that ducks are reared not only as pets but also as birds that lay eggs and they also can become good food if the pet-owners feel so. However, it is a fact that ducks have to be reared properly and they should be given the right food.  

Can ducks eat celery? Yes, ducks are known to eat celery and according to many experts, ducks should be fed celery regularly because it has a number of health benefits. Ducks also relish celery and they would not mind having it as a part of their daily food habit.  

Learn more about ducks in 33 Duck Questions Answered (The Ultimate Duck FAQ)

Understanding eating habits of duck 

We need to understand a few things about the anatomy of the duck. Duck does not have teeth. Therefore, it has no other option but to swallow food. However, it makes sure that it swallows only that food that can easily go through the throat and then into its digestive system.

We also need to bear in mind that it has a unique organ called gizzard and this helps to grind up the foods that ducks eat. The gizzard is an extremely strong muscle that comes with very small and tiny stones. These stones help to grind foods so that they are fit to be digested.

In fact, ducks that live in forests are known to look for small stones. However, in case you are bringing up ducks in a domesticated environment, you have no other option but to give them grit. Baby ducks and little ones would need small-sized grit and they are also known as chick grit. They have to be fed on the chick grits for the first few weeks.

Can Ducks Eat Celery?
Can Ducks Eat Celery?

RELATED: Why Do Ducks Wag Their Tails? (What Excites Them)

Which are the staple foods for ducks? 

Many people who grow and rear ducks in their homes, feed them with a number of food items. Crumbles are often considered to be one of the best foods for ducks. It would be a good idea to start the ducks with herbs and green even when they are young ducklings.

Apart from the above ducks can also be fed with other types of food like specialized pellets. There are other tasty foods that ducks also relish. They include cooked cucumbers or even raw ones provided they are tender. Other food items include sweet potato, corn, broccoli, and peas amongst others. Celery is recommended because it is rich in many powerful antioxidants apart from being a rich source of fiber, protein, and of course carbohydrates. 

Find out all about what foods ducks are allowed or not allowed to eat in our post All Your Duck Food Questions – Answered (70+ Foods Examined)

Many domesticated ducks are also fed with edible flowers, whole grains, and different types of fruits such as cut up grapes, blueberries, strawberries and watermelon. According to experts, watermelon is one of the most favorite foods for ducks and is also healthy in many ways. 

What are the benefits of Celery? 

Call ducks eating corn in a pond at the farm
Call ducks eating corn in a pond at the farm

There are many reasons for feeding ducks with celery. They are classified as superfoods and they contain a number of highly beneficial minerals and vitamins. These include vitamin C, K, and A apart from some useful minerals like potassium. However, when you feed the ducks with celery, there are a few things that you must bear in mind.

You must make sure that you remove the blends or stings from the plant. It would also be a good idea to look for organic celery that is free from pesticides and other synthetic compounds. Make sure that the celery is washed thoroughly. 

RELATED: Do Ducks Like Rain? | Bite-Sized Knowledge

Conclusion 

The vitamins and minerals and antioxidants that are available in celery can help ducks to improve their muscle strength. Furthermore, it also would have a positive impact on their nervous systems apart from helping to maintain fluid balance. On the whole, it would not be wrong to mention here that celery should be made a regular part of a duck‘s diet because it could help them to grow and keep them healthy apart from improving their immunity power.