Ducks can eat fries but it is not ideal for them.
It is renowned that a great deal of junk food, as well as fries, possess additives that are unhealthy for the human body.
So it’s rational to believe that ducks would also have health problems when they feed on fries.
Fries can cause a lot of health issues which could be ultimately fatal.
The cause of these health issues in your ducks that eat fries is more because of the oils used when frying instead of the potatoes themselves.
Also when your duck feed more on calories than the body requires, the surplus is kept as body fat, making the duck acquire weight.
Why are Fries Bad for Ducks?
There are many reasons why fries are bad for ducks.
Ducks should not feed or eat fries because too much intake of this food can potentially lead to lower immunity, heart problems, egg defect, digestive disturbance, weight gain.
These health issues can become potentially fatal.
The cause of these health issues in ducks that eat fries is more because of the oils used when frying instead of the potatoes themselves.
This is why purchasing potato recipes (for example, cooked potatoes) with small to no additives is much better as this is not much of a risk to your ducks.
It is a no-brainer that junk food, including fries, has a great deal of additive that is likely unhealthy for the human body, just imagine how deadly it would be to birds like ducks.
So it’s rational to believe ducks would have health problems when they feed on too much fries.
Though, a few nibbles here and there will not harm or bring health issues to your duck.
However, if a high percentage of their diet is made up of fries, then here are potential health complications your ducks may experience.
Digestive problems
The majority of fries are deep-fried, so they contain numerous quantities of fat.
It is known that fats are not quickly digested in the body compared to carbohydrates and proteins.
The fries will stay in the belly of your for an extended period than healthier food would.
Thus there is a possibility that your duck would have digestive problems such as diarrhea or a bloated belly.
Lowered immunity
Ducks’ continuous feeding on fries can potentially bring their immunity down because foods high in fat and grease can cause damage to the gut microbe by boosting unhealthy bacteria.
The gut is important in telling the immune system.
But with less amount healthy bacteria, your duck’s body is prone to diseases that can put the whole flock in danger of contracting the diseases if highly contagious.
Here is an article I wrote on feeding ducks with fish food
Risk of Heart Diseases
Compared to us humans, ducks are less likely to suffer from heart diseases: but, it does occur, especially when they stay in commercial settings.
And so it is stated that fried foods can add up to high blood pressure and increase in cholesterol, which are all components of heart diseases.
Possession of high cholesterol can lead to fatty deposits in your duck’s blood vessels.
As those materials deposited develop or grow, it becomes difficult or nearly impossible for blood to flow through the arteries.
Weight Gain
A commonly known fact of fried foods is the high-calorie content. Fries possess more calories than non-fried potatoes, mainly because of the adding of cooking oil.
Hence when your duck feeds more on calories than what its body requires the surplus is kept as body fat, making it gain fat.
The fatter the duck gets, the more health problem it may develop, mobility problems, or even heart stress.
Eggshell Defects
Salt is a common ingredient used when preparing fries, which, when eaten in the correct quantity, can help optimize duck performance in meat and egg production.
Nonetheless, producing ducks that feed on too much salty food can experience eggshell defects such as Shell-less eggs.
The excess salt (sodium chloride) causes a shortage in carbon dioxide tension, bicarbonate, and calcium concentrations in the fluid covering the egg.
With a deduction in these factors, the shell result is thin or non-existent, permitting bacteria to flow through it easily.
The shell of a duck is not supposed to be too delicate, the egg is supposed to be firm, strong, and healthy.
What Should I Do if my Duck Eats Fries?
Constantly check the health level of your duck and if it displays any sign of weakness, seek help from a veterinary doctor.
The most common items people feed to ducks and waterfowl are mostly the least nutritious and most unhealthy.
Bread, chips, crackers, donuts, cereal, popcorn, and close related bread type products or junk food scraps are not good sources of food for birds
What are the Alternatives to Feed Ducks With?
Luckily, you can offer plenty of other healthy, safe, and nutritious foods to omnivores birds like ducks, geese, and swans.
The best foods possess nutrients, minerals, and vitamins that the birds require for healthy growth and development.
Plenty of these foods are insects, mollusks, seeds, grains, and plants.
- Cracked corn,
- wheat,
- barley, or similar grains,
- Oats (uncooked; rolled or quick),
- Rice (plain white or brown, cooked or uncooked, whole or instant),
- Milo seed,
- Birdseed (any type or mix),
- Grapes (cut in two pieces or quarter if very large),
- Nut hearts or pieces (any shape but salt-free, coatings, or flavoring),
- Frozen peas or corn (defrosted, no need to cook),
- Earthworms (fishing bait or dug from the garden),
- Mealworms (fresh or dried),
- Chopped lettuce or any greens or salad mixes,
- Vegetable trimmings or peels (cut into tiny pieces). Duck eat pellets or poultry starter pellets, this is another great choice.
Can Ducks Eat French Fries with Sauce or Seasonings?
Ducks should not be allowed to feed on French fries, they can become fat and weak and develop health complications like diabetes and heart diseases.
Not just that, they may also begin to waddle round in large groups.
So don’t let your duck feed on Fries. It’s not good for them.
Bread, popcorn, French fries, and other human foods are given to waterfowl can lead to starvation, widespread disease, and can lead to deformities and result in overconcentration of birds.
Can Ducks Eat Homemade Fries?
It will be best if you didn’t offer store-bought chips to ducks. Chips contain oils, salt, and preservatives.
They contain plenty of calories and don’t bring any beneficial nutrients to the duck. However, you can create your potato chips and offer them to the ducks.
Just try to reduce as many of the harmful ingredients as possible.
Can Ducks Eat Fried Potatoes?
No! potato fries are not of benefit to your ducks in any way, same as bread and cracker.
Chips contain oils, salt, and preservatives. They are much in calories and don’t provide many beneficial or important nutrients for the duck.
Don’t give your ducks potato chips, instead mash it or have it boiled. Regular, baked, and sweet potatoes are not so bad to be given to ducks.
Also, Ducks may not enjoy the taste of the peel, it won’t be of harm to them.
Conclusion
Fries are not healthy for ducks to eat because they can cause health problems.
This type of junk food brings more harm than good in the long run, but little bites here and there won’t harm your duck.
