Ducks readily eat clover, a common forage food for both domestic and wild waterfowl. This plant is a member of the legume family, often found in pastures and lawns. Ducks frequently forage on clover when they have access to grassy areas, and it is considered a beneficial supplement when offered correctly.
Nutritional Components of Clover
Clover provides a significant nutritional boost due to its relatively high protein content compared to other forages. This makes it a valuable source of amino acids, especially for growing ducklings and adult females during the egg-laying season.
The plant is also a source of essential minerals, including calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium. Maintaining a proper ratio of calcium to phosphorus is important for bone health and eggshell quality. Fresh green forage, such as clover, can also positively influence the color of a duck’s egg yolks.
Safe Feeding Practices and Potential Hazards
Clover should always be offered as a supplement, not as the primary food source, to prevent digestive issues. Ducks that consume excessive amounts of high-moisture greens may experience digestive upset, which can manifest as diarrhea or bloating. To help prevent this, it is best to offer the clover fresh and cut short, allowing for moderate consumption.
One significant hazard to avoid is feeding clover that has begun to wilt or spoil, as ducks are highly sensitive to mold and mycotoxins. Consuming moldy feed can cause severe damage to their liver and digestive organs. Never allow ducks to access clover that has been treated with herbicides, pesticides, or other lawn chemicals.
Environmental factors within the plant itself also require caution, such as the presence of phytoestrogens in red clover. These compounds are recognized as endocrine-disrupting chemicals and can potentially affect the reproductive health and growth of aquatic species. For maximum safety, any clover that is fed should be clean and untreated, sourced from an area free of chemical contamination.
Clover’s Role in a Balanced Duck Diet
Clover serves as an excellent natural supplement. Ducks naturally forage for a variety of foods, including commercial feed, insects, aquatic plants, and grit. Foraging on greens like clover provides environmental enrichment and contributes to their overall feed intake.
While clover offers valuable nutrients, it cannot replace a balanced commercial feed formulated to meet all their dietary requirements. Ducks require access to grit, which consists of small stones or coarse material, to help grind food in their gizzards for proper digestion. The incorporation of clover simply enhances the nutritional completeness of their diet.
Other safe and nutritious greens can be integrated alongside clover to provide variety and further supplementation. These options include plants like dandelion, chickweed, and lucerne, which is also known as alfalfa. A mixture of these forages provides a broader spectrum of nutrients and keeps the foraging environment interesting for the flock.