Can Ducks Eat Bananas?

Bananas for ducks? Today marks the first anniversary of keeping ducks at our farm, it’s been quite a fun journey. Being with them for 365 days, we get to know a lot about the ducks, what they like to eat, how they are like, what makes them cranky, and more. If you are thinking of keeping them as pets, get all the essential information before diving in.

Apart from humans, bananas are a favorite treat of many pets and animals like horses, goats, and other livestock.

It is quite natural to feed your pets with different treats, well, they convince you to give them treats with their cute antics. Ducks are not picky eaters they will eat almost anything they get their beaks on. As a pet owner, it is your responsibility to make sure they are eating healthy food items.

Belonging to the waterfowl family Anatidae, ducks are closely related to swans and geese. Being omnivorous, ducks will not hesitate to feed on insects, fish besides aquatic plants, grass, fruit, and seeds.

Ducks love water and you will mostly find them living near ponds and streams. One cool fact about ducks is that they have waterproof downy underlayer feathers.

✔️ Banana is not only popular for being a convenient snack food but also because of its nutritional value.

Being a healthy source of fibre, potassium, vitamin B6, vitamin C, antioxidants, and phytonutrients, bananas are fed to many animals. However, not every animal should be fed bananas, just the ones it is useful for.

Now, you know plenty about the ducks and bananas, it is time to know would this association sit well with the duck’s stomach. Should you feed ducks with bananas?

Can Ducks Eat Bananas?

Is it okay to feed ducks bananas? Good news, yes. Bananas are just as healthy for ducks as for humans. It lives up to the nutritional needs of the ducks and they can not seem to get enough of this delicious treat. 

In addition to the layer feed, duck owners keep treating ducks with different fruits and veggies to provide all the essential dietary supplements. Bananas do not have seeds or pits which is a major plus. Duck enjoy this mushy soft fruit as it is easy to devour.

Can Ducklings Eat Bananas?

Ducklings, being young, can only eat a specific variety of food items and treats, banana gets an entry pass. Bananas are soft and mushy, when given in small amount, ducklings will fall in love instantly. 

Banana, unlike many other fruits, is not hard or have pits and seed, being soft makes it easy to chew for the ducklings. There is no choking hazard involved when feeding bananas, whereas one has to be careful when feeding hard fruits.

Can Ducks Eat Banana Bread?

Just because they eat bananas does not mean you should feed banana bread to ducks or other market-based banana products, fresh bananas would do.

In general, avoid feeding any type of bread to the ducks, it is not necessarily harmful but it just fills them up, leading to bloating and no desire to eat anything else.

It holds no nutritional benefits, if fed on bread alone, ducks may die due to malnutrition. Avoid giving bread, chips, crackers, cereal, and sweets, popcorn to the ducks. Read more about Can Ducks Eat Cheese?

Can Ducks Eat Banana Peels?

Eating banana peels may sound disgusting to humans but ducks love banana peels just as much as the flesh. Feed them banana skin from time to time but thoroughly wash it before exposing your ducks to it. 

Farmers use pesticides and other chemicals to kill pests and other insects that affect banana growth and overall production. So, it is likely that those chemicals might stay on the banana peels even after harvest. Therefore, to make it safer, just wash it well to remove the dust and pesticides before serving your precious ducks. 

How Much you Should Feed Bananas?

Moderation is the key, learn this phrase by heart when it comes to feeding animals with treats. It is advised to give this treat in a small amount and every two weeks or so. 

Banana contains a significant amount of natural sugar, and ducks have a hard time digesting sugar, therefore, it is advised not to feed bananas daily, every two weeks’ fine. Remember, feed treats in smaller amounts along with the regular diets.

Do Ducks Eat Banana Tree Leaves?

It is quite unusual to feed ducks banana tree leaves as the leaves are not juicy or succulent enough to be consumed by the ducks. These banana tree leaves are better left to be eaten by goats, cattle, and the likes. Also, it is not known whether they will be compatible with the duck’s digestive system. 

Can Ducks Eat Banana Chips?

Ducks are a sucker for banana chips, and they will demand this tasty treat from time to time.

It is your responsibility to make sure they are getting the right ones, homemade banana chips. Do not buy the banana chips available in the market for ducks as they have gluten and preservatives in them.

❌ Gluten and preservatives are unhealthy for the ducks, so, stick to the homemade banana chips. Just follow a recipe and prepare them yourself.

Feeding Bananas to Ducks – Nutritional Profile

Bananas do not just ace in taste but also nutritional benefits. They got an impressive nutritional profile making them one of the best treats for many pets.

• Magnesium – Magnesium is an essential nutrient for ducks responsible for plenty of functions. Bananas provide ample Magnesium to help increase energy levels, promote a healthy heart, and provide other major health benefits like better sleep and calm presence. (Source)

• Potassium – Potassium is one of the abundant nutrients in bananas, it helps in improving the metabolic system and also enhances the electrolytic function. Balanced Potassium level in ducks leads to reducing stress and laziness.

• Vitamin B6 – This essential vitamin helps with the nervous system and brain functions.

• Vitamin B12 – Vitamin B12 is a necessary and important nutrient that improves duck’s health in more than one way. Vitamin B12 supports nerve function, liver and skin health, metabolism, and boosts energy levels. It also plays a vital role in improving eyesight.

That’s just not it, there are many other nutrients present in bananas in small amounts known for several health benefits.

How to Feed bananas to ducks?

Here are some tips that may come in handy when you start feeding bananas to ducks.  

• Avoid feeding bananas to ducks every day. Also, a smaller amount is recommended, take a medium-sized banana, which is sufficient to feed six birds.

• Cut the banana into small digestible sizes and feed them small chunks so that they can easily devour the small bits.

• Hang the slices or chunks so that other birds can get a taste of this treat as well.

Banana – A Healthy Treat

Bananas are an absolute favorite of the ducks as they do not have to go the extra mile to chew the fruit. It is soft and mushy, which does half of the duck’s job.

Ducks need a varied diet of healthy food to stay healthier and get their egg more nutritious. Bananas are nutrients-packed and easy to feed, just toss them to the duck, how hard is that.

Fruits with pits and seeds like cherries, pear, apple, apricots, etc can only be fed once the seed is removed as their seed and pits are quite dangerous for the naive birds because it contains traces of cyanide. Read also can Can Ducks Eat Sunflower Seeds?

Ducks love bananas and will thank you with many happy quacks. Excess of everything is bad, when given in access, it may get their digestive system all wonky.

Putting it all together, Ducks love bananas to the point they will come to you asking for it in their own language. To be clear, it is not an alternative to the main diet, and should only be given as a treat.