6 Safe Garden Scraps For Ducks That Reduce Your Feed Bill

That pile of carrot tops, slightly bruised apples, and overgrown zucchini represents a missed opportunity. Instead of heading to the compost, those garden extras could be a valuable resource for your flock. Integrating garden surplus into your ducks’ diet is one of the smartest ways a hobby farmer can close a loop on their property, turning potential waste into healthy, happy birds and reducing the feed bill in the process.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!

Supplementing Duck Feed with Garden Surplus

Feeding garden scraps is about supplementing, not replacing. Think of commercial duck feed as the complete, balanced meal that covers all their nutritional bases, especially for laying ducks who need specific levels of protein and calcium. Garden treats are the healthy, exciting side dishes.

A good rule of thumb is the 90/10 principle. At least 90% of your flock’s diet should come from their formulated feed. The remaining 10% can be a mix of healthy scraps and foraged goodies. This ensures they get the core nutrition they need to thrive, while the fresh stuff provides variety, enrichment, and supplemental vitamins.

Overdoing it with treats, even healthy ones, can lead to problems. Ducks might fill up on low-protein greens and neglect their proper feed, which can impact egg production and overall health. Moderation is the key to successfully turning your garden surplus into a flock asset.

Leafy Greens: Lettuce, Kale, and Swiss Chard

Ducks go absolutely wild for leafy greens. Tossing a few handfuls of torn lettuce, kale, or chard into their run creates an instant feeding frenzy. These greens are packed with vitamins and provide excellent hydration, especially on hot days.

For tougher greens like mature kale or Swiss chard, it’s best to chop them up. The long, fibrous stems can pose a minor choking hazard, and tearing them into smaller, bite-sized pieces makes them easier for the ducks to manage. They will happily devour every last bit.

Remember that greens like iceberg lettuce are mostly water and offer little nutritional value. While they’re a fine treat, focus on darker, nutrient-dense greens like romaine, kale, and collards. These provide a much better vitamin and mineral boost for your birds.

Root Vegetable Tops: Carrots, Beets, Radishes

The parts of root vegetables we often compost are a nutritional goldmine for ducks. Carrot tops, beet greens, and radish leaves are all perfectly safe and eagerly eaten. These greens are often richer in certain vitamins than the roots themselves.

Before you feed them, give the tops a thorough rinse. Soil clinging to the leaves is harmless, but you want to wash away any potential garden pests or residues. Finely chopping them makes them easier to eat and distribute among the flock.

One thing to watch is moderation with beet greens and spinach. They contain oxalates, which can interfere with calcium absorption in large quantities. A handful a few times a week is perfectly fine, but they shouldn’t be the only green your ducks get every single day.

Overripe Berries and Windfall Orchard Fruits

That bowl of raspberries that went soft overnight or the apples that fell after a windy day are five-star treats for your ducks. They love the natural sweetness of fruits. Berries, melon rinds with a bit of flesh left on, and chopped apples or pears are all excellent choices.

The most important rule with fruit is to remove pits and seeds from stone fruits like peaches, plums, and cherries. These contain small amounts of cyanide and are toxic. While a duck is unlikely to crack open a peach pit, it’s a risk not worth taking. Apple and pear seeds are less of a concern in small quantities but are best avoided if possible.

Never feed your ducks moldy fruit. Some molds produce mycotoxins that can be extremely harmful, causing respiratory or neurological issues. If it’s spoiled, it belongs in the compost, not the duck pen. Slightly bruised or overripe is fine; moldy is not.

Cucurbits: Zucchini, Pumpkin, and Cucumber

If you’ve ever grown zucchini, you know how quickly you can become overwhelmed. Luckily, ducks are the perfect solution for your surplus. They love all members of the cucurbit family, including cucumbers, squash, and pumpkins.

The easiest way to serve these is to simply slice them in half lengthwise and toss them into the run. The ducks will peck away at the flesh and seeds, leaving nothing but a hollowed-out skin. This provides hours of entertainment and a nutrient-rich snack.

Many old-timers swear by raw pumpkin seeds as a natural dewormer. While the scientific evidence for this in poultry is limited, the seeds are a great source of protein and healthy fats regardless. Feeding your flock your Halloween pumpkin guts is a seasonal tradition that is both practical and beneficial.

Cooked Legumes: Surplus Peas and Bean Pods

Fresh peas and green beans straight from the garden are a wonderful treat that ducks enjoy. They will happily gobble up shelled peas or nibble on tender green bean pods. These provide a nice little boost of protein and fiber.

However, you must be extremely careful with mature, dried beans. Never feed ducks raw, uncooked beans (like kidney beans, black beans, etc.). They contain a toxic compound called phytohaemagglutinin, which can be fatal. If you want to feed them any type of dried bean, they must be thoroughly cooked until soft, just as you would for human consumption.

For simplicity and safety, stick to feeding fresh, tender pods and peas from the garden. If you have a surplus you’ve shelled and frozen, you can toss the frozen peas into their water on a hot day for a fun, cooling treat.

Aromatic Herbs: Mint, Parsley, and Oregano

Don’t forget the herb garden when gathering treats. Many common herbs are safe for ducks and offer unique nutritional benefits. Chopped parsley, oregano, basil, and mint can be mixed in with other greens to add variety.

Herbs are nutrient-dense, so a little goes a long way. Mint can help with digestion, and oregano is often noted for its natural antibiotic properties. While scraps won’t replace proper veterinary care, adding these herbs provides a nice wellness boost.

Because of their strong flavors, some ducks may be pickier about herbs than others. Start with a small amount, finely chopped, to see how your flock responds. They often prefer them mixed with milder greens rather than on their own.

Toxic Garden Plants Ducks Must Always Avoid

Knowing what not to feed is just as important as knowing what is safe. Some common garden plants are toxic to ducks and should never be offered, no matter what. Keep this list in mind when cleaning out the garden or tossing weeds into the duck run.

Commit these to memory and never feed them to your flock:

• Nightshade Plants: All parts of the tomato, potato, and eggplant plant are toxic. While a ripe tomato fruit is fine, the leaves, stems, and vines contain solanine. Also avoid green potatoes and their peels.
• Rhubarb Leaves: The stalks are edible for humans, but the leaves contain high levels of oxalic acid, which is poisonous.
• Onions and Garlic: All members of the allium family can cause anemia and respiratory distress in ducks.
• Avocado: The pit and skin are highly toxic, and even the flesh is not recommended.
• Dried, Uncooked Beans: As mentioned earlier, these are extremely toxic.

When in doubt, throw it out. It is always better to compost a questionable plant than to risk the health of your entire flock.

By thoughtfully using your garden’s excess, you build a more resilient and sustainable homestead. You’re not just cutting costs; you’re reducing waste, providing your flock with a more varied diet, and getting the satisfaction of seeing your hard work nourish every part of your farm. Pay attention to what your ducks enjoy, always prioritize their formulated feed, and you’ll find a perfect rhythm between your garden and your flock.