Mealworms are something that’s popular among reptile owners. These worms are very nutritious and tasty that they can be consumed by other pets as well. As for ducks, can they eat mealworms too?
Can ducks eat mealworms? Yes, ducks can eat mealworms. These worms are packed with proteins and other nutrients that ducks need to stay healthy. Mealworms can be fed to them as live or dried. Since mealworms are high in protein, you want to feed the ducks in moderation to prevent health issues.
Is It Safe For Ducks To Eat Mealworms?
Since mealworms don’t have any teeth or anything else that could hurt the ducks, it’s safe for them to eat.
There are two things you need to worry about, which is the protein and fat content in the mealworms. This insect has a high content of protein of about 46% based on dry weight. Too much protein can cause the ducks to have angel wings, which is when the wings and feathers stick up.
As for fat, mealworms also have high fat content, which is about 37% based on dry weight.
Health Benefits of Mealworms for Ducks
Mealworms are insects that are packed with a lot of essential nutrients. It’s high in protein, fiber, fats, and a good source of vitamin A and D. All of these nutrients are what the ducks need on a daily basis to stay healthy and strong.
Maintain Healthy Muscles
Mealworms are high in protein, which is important for the development of muscles in ducks. Strong muscles are needed since ducks are very active creatures. They are always foraging for feed, whether it’s in the water or on land.
Ducklings will need plenty of protein in their diet to grow strong and healthy.
Aid In Digestion
Mealworm is a good source of fiber. Fiber is vital to the health of the digestive system. Without enough fiber in the duck’s diet, they’ll have all sorts of digestive issues.
Fiber promotes regular bowel movement and prevents constipation. This will help foods move through the digestive tract smoothly.
If ducks have an issue with loose stool, plenty of fiber intake will help bulk up the stool.
Help Produce Quality Eggs
Mealworms are a rich source of vitamin D. For ducks to produce strong healthy eggs, they need a lot of vitamin D. This vitamin will help prevent the eggshell from becoming soft and brittle.
Can Duckling Eat Mealworms?
No, duckling should not be fed any mealworms. This includes both live and dried mealworms.
The worms are too large for ducklings and could cause them to choke on the mealworms.
How To Feed Mealworms To Ducks
Live Mealworms
For live mealworms, you can toss the worms onto the ground and watch the ducks eat them up. Since it’s small and similar to earthworms, they will not have any issues digesting it.
However, be sure to watch out for the ducklings. They may become curious and try to eat it. If they do, the mealworms may get lodged in their throat and cause them to choke on it.
Dried Mealworms
Feeding dried mealworms to the ducks can be as simple as grabbing a handful of the worms and toss them to the ducks.
For an extra boost in nutrition, especially protein, sprinkle some of the dried mealworms onto their food. This can be vegetables, fruits, and any treats that the ducks enjoy eating.
How Many Mealworms Can A Duck Eat?
Mealworms are very high in protein, which makes them unhealthy for the ducks. For that reason, ducks should not be fed too many mealworms.
For baby ducks, you should not feed them any mealworms. The worms could become lodged in their throat and choke them.
For adult duck, you can feed them 5-6 mealworms. This is enough for them to enjoy without risking getting angel wings.
If you’re feeding layer ducks, you can increase it to about 10-15 mealworms. They need a lot of protein to remain healthy and produce great tasting eggs.
How Often Can Have A Duck Eat Mealworms?
Ducks should not eat mealworms too often. Once or twice per week is enough for them. Any more than that, you could risk the ducks getting angel wings and other health issues due to excessive protein.
Other Worms That Ducks Can Eat
Earthworms
Earthworms are packed with nutrition, especially protein. These worms are found naturally and ducks will eat whenever they get the chance to catch them.
If you buy earthworms are catch them yourselves to feed the ducks, only feed them in moderation. Too much protein could cause the ducks to have angel wings.
Hornworms
Hornworms are usually found in the summer when tomatoes grow. Ducks are opportunistic eater so they’ll eat it whenever they see one. Hornworms are very nutritious and high in water content. They can be picked from the garden and given to the ducks.
You can also buy hornworms at pet stores, but feeding ducks can become very costly.
Superworms
Superworms are similar to mealworms, but they are just much bigger and more nutritious. They are much more expensive too so it’s something that most owners will not try to feed them with.
For egg-laying ducks, superworms can be a great supplement to their normal diet. They need the extra protein to stay healthy and produce quality eggs.
Conclusion
Mealworms are very nutritious and make a tasty treat for ducks. They eat as much as you will give them. However, due to their high content of protein, only feed them mealworms once or twice per week.
