Can Ducks Eat Grapes? Should They?

When it comes to the health and wellness of our domestic ducks, their diet usually revolves around duck feed for optimal health and a little bit of forage if they’re allowed to free-range or have a large run.

Our ducks can actually eat a surprisingly varied diet, though, including many veggies and fruit. Fruit, particularly, can make a great treat for them and give them energy. How about something like grapes? Can ducks eat grapes?

Yes, ducks can eat grapes safely as long as they get them only in moderation as a treat or occasional supplement. They’re a good source of energy and packed with needed minerals that can boost their health, but too sugary for regular consumption.

Grapes are in truth a pretty inspired choice when it comes to feeding fruit to your flock. They are easy to eat, surprisingly nutritious, and very easy to serve.

As with all kinds of fruit, you’ll have to be careful about not overdoing the quantity, but this is a small concern for the most part. Keep reading and learn how you can incorporate grapes into the diet of your ducks.

Do Ducks Like Grapes?

Yes, they really do! It might seem a little bit surprising – because how many opportunities do ducks actually get to eat grapes in the wild? – but they really enjoy them.

If you make it a point to give your flock grapes as a treat every now and then you’ll soon see that they come running when they see you with them.

This can be a bit of a problem also because if you let them, or if you give in to those pleading eyes, they will easily overeat on them and that can cause issues.

Are Grapes a Nutritious Option for Ducks?

Yes, definitely, but they aren’t something they should eat all the time or in unlimited quantities.

Grapes are a good source of easily accessible and quickly-digesting energy for ducks and they’re also a surprisingly good source of essential nutrients that they need, particularly minerals.

Let’s look at the minerals first: Grapes are a good source of iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, copper, and a little bit of zinc calcium, and even selenium. Not bad at all for what Ducks will consider a sweet treat!

But they also have some vitamins that can benefit our birds, mostly B-complex ones in the form of riboflavin, thiamine, and vitamin B6 with a lot less pantothenic acid, niacin, and folate. Other vitamins include vitamin C, vitamin E, choline, and vitamin K.

When you tally up all of these nutrients, you’ll find that they are quite beneficial for ducks and can improve circulatory health, organ and cellular function, growth, healing, feathering, and a lot more.

As far as healthy treats go, it’s hard to do better than grapes as long as you mind the amount that you feed your flock.

Are Grapes Okay for Ducks Raw?

Yes, and more than being okay it is the ideal way to serve grapes to your ducks. Raw grapes are easy to digest and also contain the best possible amount of nutrition.

Can Ducks Eat Green Grapes?

Yes, they can. Green grapes are just fine for ducks.

Can Ducks Have Red Grapes?

Yes, ducks can have red grapes with no issues.

Are Black Grapes Okay for Ducks?

They sure can. Black grapes are fine for ducks the same as any other variety.

Can Ducks Eat Raisins?

Yes, they can, but only very sparingly. And I mean rarely and a few at a time! This is because raisins contain considerably more sugar by weight compared to grapes. It’s because all of the moisture is gone…

Yes, they are an even more concentrated source of energy and nutrients, too, but that sugar is problematic. Ducks that eat the same weight of raisins will get way, way, way more sugar than ducks that eat the same weight in fresh grapes.

Are Cooked Grapes a Good Idea for Ducks?

No. Ducks don’t need grapes to be cooked for them to be digestible or palatable. If you cook grapes all you’re going to do is significantly reduce the amount of vitamins and minerals they have, and that means they are less beneficial for your flock overall.

Don’t waste your time!

Are Grape Seeds Bad for Ducks?

No, grape seeds aren’t harmful to ducks and are easily digestible. You don’t have to get seedless varieties necessarily or go through the annoying chore of seeding them prior to feeding.

Are Grapes Harmful or Toxic for Ducks in Any Way?

Yes, but the only real hazards that grapes pose to ducks are if they eat too many of them and one serving, if they get them too often in their diet, or if they choke on them.

And the first regard this is mostly an issue of not paying attention or trying to give them too much of a good thing.

Grapes are indeed nutritious and good for ducks, but they aren’t nutritionally complete and should not replace other staples in their diet.

Giving ducks too many grapes can easily lead to sour crop, indigestion, diarrhea, and other problems, some of which can be quite severe. Plus, they will miss out on other foods that they need more.

The other issue is something that is shared with many other foods, and that is a choking risk. Large grapes that aren’t cut have a tendency to get caught in duck’s throats more often than smaller, crumbly foods that are easier to swallow.

How Often Can Ducks Eat Grapes?

I prefer to give my ducks grapes once a week, in a small serving, no more than that. However, I know plenty of folks who give them two small servings a week with no ill effects. Be careful about giving them too much sugar!

Whether you want to make them a rare treat or an occasional supplement to their diet, just keep the portion size small and don’t feed them to your flock every day. Do that, and you won’t have any issues.

Preparing Grapes for Your Ducks

Any grapes that you’re going to serve to your flock should be washed and then cut in half to make them easier for them to handle and then swallow.

As always, you need to keep fresh, clean water nearby for your ducks to dabble the grapes in like they will with any other food.

Cleanup Leftover Grapes and Scrap Grapes

Grapes are sweet and fragrant, and if you leave them behind in the run or elsewhere assuming your ducks don’t eat them all up, they’re likely to attract mammal and insect pests, some of which can be troublesome or dangerous.

Another consideration is that grapes and grape scraps that are allowed to rot or ferment can make ducks sick if they come around later and nibble on them some more. Don’t risk it; clean up after your ducks when they’re done with the grapes if they don’t eat them all!

Never Give Ducks Grapes if They are Slimy or Rotting

One more thing to keep in mind is that you shouldn’t give your ducks any grapes if they spoiled in any way.

Although it’s tempting to try and repurpose produce that you’re planning on throwing away by turning it into animal feed on your homestead, remember that ducks can catch foodborne illnesses just like people and other animals, and spoiled grapes might be the thing to do it!

Are Grapes Safe for Ducklings to Eat?

Yes, but cautiously. Ducklings should only get small tidbits of grapes very occasionally once they’re old enough to start eating supplementary foods in addition to their starter feed, never before.

Grapes are simply too sugary to be good for ducklings who are already prone to getting an upset stomach and diarrhea. That is a lot harder on them than it is on adult ducks.