Can ducks eat lentils? If you keep ducks as pets or rear them for eggs, then you really must have asked this question
Can ducks eat lentils? Yes ducks can eat lentils. It provides them necessary nutrients like protein, lysine, carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins and other essential minerals. It should however not be made a large part of their main diet.
Lentils are legumes that grow in pods and contain edible seeds.
They look like beans but are smaller and are flat.
They come in different colors like black, green, red and brown. They are nutritious and very beneficial to the health.
Humans eat them and yes your ducks can have them too.
Let’s take a look at some of the health benefits of lentils.
What are the health benefits of lentils?
The health benefits of lentils are quite many.
Lentils are good sources of protein and fiber.
They also contain B vitamins and minerals like iron, potassium, folate, magnesium, zinc etc. that are very helpful to the body. Here is why you should also eat lentils.
✓ Eating fibrous food can prevent constipation, reduce cholesterol and protect against diabetes. Lentils are high in fiber so eating them can give your body the required fibre to stay healthy.
✓ Eating lentils can also help you lose weight as it makes you feel full for a long period and unable to eat. It is also low in fat and calories. So if you are watching your calory intake and still want to eat well, lentils should be on your diet.
✓ Lentils also contain potassium which can help reduce blood pressure. Potassium also helps reduce or eradicate the bad effects of salt in the body.
✓ Lentils contain folat which helps in forming red blood cells. It is also good for you if you are pregnant as it will help the foetus develop well. Lentils also provides folic acid which your foetus needs to grow well. Lack of folic acid can lead to serious birth defects.
✓ Want healthy hair that is full and long? Then lentils are for you. The folic acid in lentils helps to grow your hair and also reduces the risk of stroke.
✓ In case you overwork like me, go through a lot of stress and find it hard to sleep, lentils just might be your saving grace. It’s been mine for years. Lentils contain magnesium which helps you sleep well.
Are lentils healthy for ducks?
Domesticated ducks are dependent creatures and will probably eat anything you give to them, including lentils. But are lentils good for them? The answer is yes.
1. Lentils are good sources of protein which is necessary for your ducks to grow well, especially if you grow them for meat.
2. Lentils are also healthy for ducks because they provide them carbohydrate which they need for energy.
3. Lentils are also very high in calcium and we all know how important that is for our ducks.
Calcium deficiency in ducks can cause them to produce eggs with soft shells and also cause other reproductive illnesses.
Ducks that lack calcium also become weak. Their bones become soft which could lead to deformity.
4. Lentils are low in fat so there’s no fear of your ducks becoming overweight if they eat them.
How many lentils can a duck eat?
Lentils are good for your ducks and can be very nutritious to them but you can’t give them too much of it.
Lentils should not replace their main feed, it should be considered a supplement or an occasional treat.
Lentils are high in fibre which isn’t a good thing for your ducks.
Eating too much of lentils can cause them to feel full thereby ignoring their main feed which contains the necessary nutrients they need to grow healthy. You don’t want that.
Lentils provide your ducks carbohydrate which they need but too much of it can lead to obesity so you want to be careful about how often you give it to them.
Make lentils an occasional treat.
Depending on their number, one or two cups scattered on the floor once a week is enough. Don’t make it an everyday thing.
Can ducks eat uncooked lentils?
Duck will eat uncooked lentils if you provide it for them but it isn’t good for their health. Why?
Uncooked lentils contain lectin.
Lectins attaches itself to digestive tracts and binds carbohydrates and all forms of sugar which can be harmful to the health of your ducks.
Lectins can also become anti nutrients in the body of your ducks fighting against or blocking the absorption of other nutrients.
Lectins block the absorption of nutrients like vitamins and minerals like calcium, iron, phosphorous, zinc etc. which your ducks need to grow healthy and well.
Can ducks eat dried lentils?
Dried lentils are also uncooked lentils, depends on what you want to call it.
And no, your ducks shouldn’t have them.
I already explained that uncooked lentils contain lectin and drying them doesn’t make the lectin go away.
Lectins can only be broken down when cooked or soaked. So before feeding your ducks lentils, make sure you cook first.
Conclusion.
Lentils are legumes and come in different colors.
They can also be cooked or served in different ways.
It is quite a delicacy. The exciting thing is, your ducks can have them too. It is quite safe for them and also highly nutritious which is the most important thing.
It provides them necessary nutrients like protein, lysine, carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins and other essential minerals.
It should however not be made a large part of their main diet.
It does not contain all the required nutrients needed to make them grow and could be harmful to your ducks if consumed excessively.
Lentils also need to be cooked before feeding them to ducks because uncooked or dried lentils contain lectin.
Lectin is toxic to ducks because it hinders the absorption of other nutrients and can also cause damage to their digestive system.
