# What should I feed a duck? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 14, 2007, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-feed-a-duck/408058 "2007-06-14T22:36:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mint\_Julep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bc79bd/32.png) [@Mint\_Julep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mint_Julep)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2007, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-feed-a-duck/408058/1 "2007-06-14T22:36:10Z")
There is a very pretty mallard on the pond outside my apt. door. He often waddles up and asks me to feed him some treats. I have been giving him slices of bread but someone told me that diets that are too high in starch or protein can be harmful to a duck? I am not interested in making him sick or prepping him to become foie gras. I dont want poor Duckie to think I am cutting him off, I just want to feed him healthy treats…Any suggestions? ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2007, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-feed-a-duck/408058/2 "2007-06-14T22:42:05Z")
Try some cracked corn. ---
**Author:** ![Tikki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5daacb/32.png) [@Tikki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tikki)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2007, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-feed-a-duck/408058/3 "2007-06-14T22:52:00Z")
Quackers? Or if you have a feed and seed store in your area, you could get some duck or poultry chow. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2007, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-feed-a-duck/408058/4 "2007-06-14T22:52:27Z")
Soup ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2007, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-feed-a-duck/408058/5 "2007-06-14T22:53:38Z")
Why a duck? ---
**Author:** ![Mint\_Julep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bc79bd/32.png) [@Mint\_Julep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mint_Julep)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2007, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-feed-a-duck/408058/6 "2007-06-14T22:58:53Z")
I fully anticipated the spectrum of punchlines that this thread could induce. Ha ha guys. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2007, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-feed-a-duck/408058/7 "2007-06-14T23:29:44Z")
In that case try Jimmies Cracked Corn. Oh… I don’t care. :rolleyes: The Master’s gone away. He’s outside the school quacking like a duck, to see if it echoes, so do whatever you like. I’m out of here. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2007, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-feed-a-duck/408058/8 "2007-06-14T23:34:43Z")
[What do ducks eat? A real answer.](http://www.liveducks.com/faqs.html#whatdotheyeat) ---
**Author:** ![Dunderman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecb155/32.png) [@Dunderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunderman)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2007, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-feed-a-duck/408058/9 "2007-06-14T23:40:29Z")
I have it on good authority that if you feed it raw onion it will turn into a combat duck. Whether that’s desirable or not, I’ll leave up to you. ---
**Author:** ![Madd\_Maxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Madd\_Maxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Madd_Maxx)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2007, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-feed-a-duck/408058/10 "2007-06-15T00:08:53Z")
First you need a funnel… ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2007, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-feed-a-duck/408058/11 "2007-06-15T00:27:06Z")
When we had ducks, we gave them bread as an occasional treat. It’s not something that’s okay to feed them daily, but once in a while doesn’t harm them. (think of bread as being like fastfood for you). They make food specifically for ducks, and it comes in small pellets. I’m not sure what else is in it, but it seems to primarily be corn. Be warned, however, that this isn’t something you can throw in a pond for him to eat - it turns to mush in seconds. If you go that route, give him a little on the shore. If there’s **any** chance whatsoever that there could be ducklings in the area, please take care not to accidentally buy chick feed instead. The medication in it is poisonous to ducklings - unfortunately we lost a few ducklings when they broke into the chicken pen and gobbled it down. I only caution you because they look similar, though the chick feed is crumbled. Likewise, ducklings will also eat things that are spoiled and get food poisoning, so don’t be overly generous with duck feed or bread either. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2007, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-feed-a-duck/408058/12 "2007-06-15T01:28:59Z")
[QUOTE=Priceguy] I have it on good authority that if you feed it raw onion it will turn into a combat duck. Whether that’s desirable or not, I’ll leave up to you. [/QUOTE] Like [this duck](http://www.comics.com/comics/pearls/archive/pearls-20070612.html)? ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2007, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-feed-a-duck/408058/13 "2007-06-15T01:35:38Z")
In Soviet Union, State feeds _you_ to duck. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Universe\_Lashes\_Out](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8797f3/32.png) [@The\_Universe\_Lashes\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Universe_Lashes_Out)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2007, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-feed-a-duck/408058/14 "2007-06-15T01:54:03Z")
[Sun Chips](http://www.comedycentral.com/sitewide/media_player/play.jhtml?itemId=12414) (Video link) ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2007, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-feed-a-duck/408058/15 "2007-06-15T01:57:12Z")
[QUOTE=NoClueBoy] [What do ducks eat? A real answer.](http://www.liveducks.com/faqs.html#whatdotheyeat) [/QUOTE] I like the expensive landscaping as a duck food item. Seems to me, they have a bit of anger and a duck or two. ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2007, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-feed-a-duck/408058/16 "2007-06-15T02:37:19Z")
[QUOTE=Mint Julep] There is a very pretty mallard on the pond outside my apt. door. He often waddles up and asks me to feed him some treats. [/QUOTE] Perhaps the best thing for his long-term health would be to feed him nothing at all. Most mallards are more than capable of making an honest living. ---
**Author:** ![Mint\_Julep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bc79bd/32.png) [@Mint\_Julep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mint_Julep)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2007, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-feed-a-duck/408058/17 "2007-06-15T03:37:29Z")
Many thanks to all for your suggestions, both serious and humorous and **Xema** you make a very valid point. I wont always live here. It may be best to leave him alone afterall. (sniffle, sniffle) ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2007, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-feed-a-duck/408058/18 "2007-06-15T03:44:23Z")
If they have a couple generations of ducks you will become a grandfeather. ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2007, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-feed-a-duck/408058/19 "2007-06-15T04:50:06Z")
A duck waddles into a bar and asks, “Hey, do you have any duck food?” “No,” replies the bartender. The following day the duck returns and asks for duck food. “No!” says the bartender. “Come back tomorrow, and I’ll nail your feet to the bar.” The following day, the duck waddles in and asks, “Hey-have any nails?” “No!” shouts the bartender. “Good. Got any duck food?” ---
**Author:** ![ThisSpaceForRent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thisspaceforrent/32/345_2.png) [@ThisSpaceForRent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThisSpaceForRent)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2007, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-feed-a-duck/408058/20 "2007-06-15T05:42:26Z")
[QUOTE=HowieReynolds] [Sun Chips](http://www.comedycentral.com/sitewide/media_player/play.jhtml?itemId=12414) (Video link) [/QUOTE] Came in to say I would take the said duck to Subway…cause ducks eat free at Subway. RIP Mitch ☹ tsfr [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-feed-a-duck/408058.md?page=2)