Ducks enjoy feeding on a lot of things, including fruits, vegetables, and, believe it or not, insects. And among the most nutrient-rich insects available in pet stores are mealworms, which are the larvae of the mealworm beetle.
So, can ducks eat mealworms?
Yes, they can! Ducks enjoy eating these squirmy creepy-crawlies. Even better, they benefit from the broad array of nutrients these creatures offer.
Let’s find out why mealworms are good for ducks!
Why Are Mealworms Good for Ducks?
Ducks need to consume a range of vitamins, minerals, and other substances to stay healthy.
Thankfully, both live and dry mealworms are rich in such substances, as you’ll see below.
Protein
Mealworms contain an impressive amount of protein, with live mealworms being around 20% protein, and dried mealworms being a jaw-dropping 53% to 55% protein.
Protein is essential for the development and maintenance of muscles, blood, skin, feathers, tendons, cartilage, and ligaments.
Protein is also broken down to generate amino acids, which keeps the duck alive and provides it with the energy necessary for movement.
A diet lacking in protein can lead to a weaker immune system, leaving a duck vulnerable to illnesses and diseases. It can also contribute to the inferior health of cells and organs. Other problems include poor skin and feathers, weight loss, anemia, neurological problems, and more.
This nutrient is particularly crucial for the healthy growth of ducklings, so much so that a lack of protein can lead to stunted growth and a weaker body.
Fat
Mealworms are high in healthy fats. In fact, mealworms are around 28% fat.
Ducks need fat as it helps them absorb fat-soluble vitamins including vitamins A, D, and E. In addition, fat is a source of crucial fatty acids that provide ducks the energy they need to move around.
Potassium
Ducks require potassium – and mealworms are rich in potassium.
Potassium is a mineral that supports healthy heart and muscle contractions. It activates nerve impulses so that the duck’s brain can transmit information throughout the body, thus allowing movement and a wide range of bodily functions.
By playing a role in fluid balance regulation, potassium also prevents dehydration.
Without enough potassium in its diet, a duck can experience difficulty walking, lethargy, and decreased eating.
Phosphorus
Phosphorus is another mineral that ducks need to remain healthy.
This nutrient is essential for many biological processes, including protein and amino acid synthesis, cell growth, energy use, and energy storage. It’s also a vital structural component of bone, DNA, and RNA.
Deficiencies can lead to bone fractures, decreased growth, and other problems.
Calcium
Calcium is crucial for the development and maintenance of strong, healthy bones. In addition, it can keep egg shells rigid.
Ducks that are calcium deficient are susceptible to osteoporosis, reproductive illness, and the production of soft-shelled eggs.
Iron
Mealworms contain more iron than sirloin beef.
One of the most important minerals, iron plays a key role in the creation of hemoglobin, a protein that red blood cells use to transport oxygen from the lungs to every other part of the duck’s body. Oxygen, in turn, converts food into energy, allowing the duck to move around, stay healthy, and survive.
A lack of iron can result in anemia, lethargy, stunted growth, and other health concerns.
Vitamin B3 (niacin)
Also known as niacin, vitamin B3 plays a crucial role in the maintenance of healthy skin and nerves. In addition, it promotes the proper production of energy and is involved in numerous physiologic and enzymatic reactions in the body.
Deficiencies can result in anorexia or decreased eating, bloody diarrhea, stunted growth, and unhealthy skin. It can even kill a duck.
Vitamin D3
Vitamin D, especially vitamin D3, is essential for ducks, as it keeps their bones and eggshells strong by helping their intestines absorb calcium. For these reasons, it’s especially important for young, growing ducks.
This vitamin also regulates the absorption and elimination of phosphorus.
A deficiency in vitamin D3 can contribute to osteoporosis and the laying of eggs with soft shells.
Choline
Choline is a compound that’s necessary for blood clotting. It also helps with various biological functions.
Deficiencies can cause issues such as prolonged blood clotting times, anorexia or decreased eating, kidney problems, and stunted growth.
Fiber
Mealworms are a fairly good source of fiber.
Fiber supports healthy digestion and keeps the digestive tract in excellent condition. In addition, it facilitates elimination, thus preventing problems such as constipation and diarrhea.
As fiber is also filling, it prevents a duck from overeating, which in turn helps it avoid growing obese. This is important, as obesity raises the risk of serious chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. Obesity also puts extra pressure on the bones, which can result in joint pain; this pain then discourages a duck from moving around, preventing it from enjoying the health and weight loss benefits of physical activity.
Live vs. Dried Mealworms
As mentioned above, mealworms can be eaten either live or dried.
In general, ducks love chowing down on living mealworms. Keeping live mealworms can be challenging, however, as you need to feed them regularly and ensure they enjoy the appropriate environmental conditions to keep them breathing. You’d also have to make regular trips to a pet store to acquire additional live mealworms.
Your other option is to feed your feathery friend dried mealworms instead. Because dried mealworms are already dead, you’ll have an easier time with them as you don’t need to feed them or ensure they remain healthy. Dried mealworms also tend to be cheaper and can even be conveniently purchased online. For all these reasons, using dried mealworms is the more affordable and comfortable method of feeding your pet this insect.
Also, take note that live mealworms are about 20% protein while dried mealworms are around 53% protein. If you think your duck is suffering from a protein deficiency, it’s a good idea to feed it the latter. Make sure, however, to ask your vet for advice regarding what type of mealworm is best for your pet, as they can determine how much protein it really needs.
Can Ducklings Eat Mealworms?
Yes, ducklings can eat mealworms as long as you make sure they eat other foods as well. Mealworms are nutrient-dense foods that can support a young duck’s healthy growth and the development of a strong body and immune system.
However, too much of a good thing can be bad; in fact, feeding a duckling too many mealworms often can result in a dangerous wing deformity known as angel wing. For this reason, feed your duckling only a single mealworm per week. It’s also a good idea to wait at least two to four weeks before giving your duckling mealworms.
You should also consider chopping up the mealworm before giving it to your duckling. As a whole mealworm may be too large for it to swallow, it could cause discomfort going down the bird’s narrow throat. It may even cause choking.
In addition, a live mealworm may bite your duckling, which can irritate its sensitive esophagus.
FAQs About Mealworms for Ducks
Let’s answer some other questions about mealworms for ducks!
How often should ducks eat mealworms?
While a duck’s main diet should be its regular commercial, vet-approved feed, we recommend feeding ducks mealworms around once to thrice per week. These mealworms can be given as treats or as an addition to said feed.
As it’s best for ducks to have a varied diet, don’t feed your pet mealworms only. Ensure it eats a wide range of foods including fruits, veggies, and other meats.
How many mealworms should a duck eat?
It depends on the duck’s age.
An adult duck can eat around five to six mealworms per week.
Layer ducks can eat around 10 to 15 mealworms per week. This is because they need extra protein to stay in good health and produce high-quality eggs.
You should wait between two and four weeks before feeding a young, growing duck a single mealworm per week.
How much protein should ducks consume?
How much protein a duck needs in its diet depends on its age. In general, however, these birds should enjoy a diet that’s between 14% and 22% protein.
Consult a veterinarian to determine the exact amount of protein your duck needs.
Are mealworms the best food for ducks?
Mealworms may be nutritionally dense, but they don’t contain all the nutrients ducks need to enjoy excellent health. For this reason, you should feed your duck a rich variety of foods that includes not just mealworms but also fruits, vegetables, and other meats. Never replace a duck’s main diet of commercial feed with mealworms.
What other types of meat can ducks eat?
In addition to mealworms, ducks can eat earthworms, hornworms, and superworms, which are all protein-rich worms.
Conclusion
Ducks can indeed eat mealworms. And the best thing about these larvae is that they offer ducks an assortment of valuable nutrients, such as protein, fat, and various vitamins and minerals. You can even feed mealworms to older ducklings, as this food can benefit the development of strong bones, an efficient immune system, and more.
While you have the option of feeding ducks either live or dried mealworms, you might find going the dried mealworm route more affordable and less of a hassle.
With all that in mind, we definitely recommend feeding your ducks mealworms – they’ll thank you for it!