Can Ducks Eat Cilantro? (Is Coriander Safe for Them?)
Yes, ducks can eat cilantro in moderation. Cilantro adds variety to their diet, is packed with a range of nutrients, and best of all tastes good. Cilantro is perfectly safe for your ducks to consume, and makes an excellent addition to their regular feed.
Is Cilantro Safe for Ducks?
If like me, you love noodle dishes, pasta, and different kinds of soup, chances are that you’re familiar with cilantro. Similar to most other herbs, it has an aromatic smell, is easy to grow, and is very affordable if you wish to get it from your local store.
There’s always some confusion around whether cilantro is the same plant as coriander and vice versa or whether they’re different. I’ll admit I didn’t know they were different before doing some research. The fact is that depending on the part of the world you’re from, the names may differ.
In the United States, cilantro refers to the leaves while coriander refers to the seeds of the Coriander plant. In most other parts of the universe, both the leaves and seeds are called coriander. Other names you may hear referring to the same plant are dhania and Chinese parsley.
Now that we’ve cleared that up, all parts of cilantro are safe for ducks to eat. There aren’t any toxic elements that could potentially cause health problems to your birds.
The main difference between coriander leaves and seeds is the taste. The seeds have a soil-like taste while the leaves have a soapy taste.
Health Benefits of Cilantro to Ducks
You may be acquainted with cilantro as a culinary condiment but it’s much more than that. It’s rich in vitamin K, vitamin A, antioxidants, and other nutrients that are beneficial to your flock. Here are some benefits that your ducks will have when they ingest cilantro:
Better immunity – Cilantro contains antioxidants that will help destroy harmful particles (free radicals) that are responsible for damaging your ducks’ cells. This herb also contains antimicrobial compounds that can fight bacteria that cause common poultry infections like Salmonella.
Improved digestion – We all know that ducks will eat just about anything edible when they’re hungry which means that they’re prone to digestive issues such as bloating and constipation. Feeding them cilantro will help alleviate some of these issues thanks to the fiber present in it.
Better vision – Vitamin A, which is present in cilantro, enhances your ducks’ vision. This means their eyesight will be better, especially at night.
Stronger bones and Better clotting – You may know that calcium strengthens your ducks’ bones but so does Vitamin K. Common symptoms associated with vitamin K deficiency include blood spots in duck eggs, leg hemorrhages, and failure of blood clotting.
How to Feed Cilantro to Ducks
There’s no best way to feed cilantro to your ducks. Here are a few methods you can try:
The first way is you can cut fresh cilantro and throw some out in the duck coop and run.
The second way is you can take bundles of cilantro and hang them at different locations in the duck run and coop for your flock to peck away at.
The third way is you can chop cilantro into small pieces and then add them to their water.
Although you can also dry this herb and feed it to your feathered friends at a later date, I’d recommend sticking to fresh herbs.
Do Ducks like Cilantro?
Ducks like eating cilantro, yes. All duck owners I’ve interacted with over the years have confirmed the same. They’ll eat as much as you provide them.
It’s worth noting that you should not feed your flock too much cilantro. Their feed should account for about 90% of their diet to ensure they get all the nutrients they require for optimal health.
Would you like to see ducks eating cilantro? I thought so. Here’s a video you’ll enjoy:
Can Baby Ducks Eat Cilantro?
Yes, baby ducks can eat cilantro. However, you should start feeding it to them when they’re about 8 weeks old just to be sure that their digestive system can handle it.
The other concern is choking. Make sure you cut cilantro into small pieces that ducklings can consume without causing a choking hazard.
What Other Herbs Can Ducks Eat?
In addition to Cilantro, the following herbs are also safe for ducks to eat:
- Dill
- Mint
- Oregano
- Rosemary
- Thyme
Summary – Can Ducks Eat Cilantro?
Cilantro is okay for ducks to eat. It’s a good source of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that they can benefit from.
Ducks love eating cilantro. So, if you can spare some, you should definitely share it with them.
