Can Ducks Eat Moldy Bread?
While ducks can eat bread, it’s not recommended that you feed them any bread at all. A lot of people seem to think bread is a great food for ducks, in reality, it is bad for them and does not give them any nutritional value whatsoever.
So can ducks eat moldy bread? No, absolutely not. If you have moldy bread laying around you should throw it away, never feed your ducks anything that is moldy. Mold is poisonous to ducks and can make your ducks very sick, in some cases, it can even be fatal.
Why You Should Not Feed Ducks Moldy Bread
Mold is a type of fungus, and it can hurt a variety of species in addition to ducks. These molds often flourish in warm, moist, and humid environments and are found in a variety of foods.
As previously mentioned, molds produce mycotoxins, which are naturally occurring chemicals that can seriously harm your ducks and potentially even kill them.
Mycotoxin poisoning has the following effects:
- Severe diarrhea
- Lesser egg production
- Enlarged liver
Minimizing Mold Growth
In light of the aforementioned, we know that mold is hazardous to ducks. How do you make sure your bread and other foods stay mold-free?
- Store it in a cool and dark place – By storing your bread in a dark and cool space it will stay fresh and last a lot longer. Heat, humidity, and light are ideal environments for molds to flourish.
- Properly sealed – By making sure you have properly sealed the bag or container your food will last for a longer time. This will prevent airborne mold spores from growing.
- Store it in a freezer – By keeping your bread in the freezer you can expect your bread to last up to two months.
Is Bread Good for Ducks?
Although bread is a favorite treat we frequently give to ducks, did you realize that it’s not very healthy for your ducks? Bread contains a lot of chemicals and other preservatives that are bad for ducks.
Additionally, bread has a relatively low protein content, a crucial ingredient for ducks, particularly ducklings, during their developing stages.
For instance, ducklings fed on bread may suffer from malnutrition and grow up with disorders like angel wings or spraddle bones that are difficult to treat.
The same goes for other types of similar snacks. Bread, cookies, pretzels, and donuts should never be fed to your ducks.
Summary – Can Ducks Eat Moldy Bread?
Mold contains dangerous chemicals that can be fatal for your ducks. Never feed your ducks anything moldy, especially moldy bread.
In the event that your ducks accidentally eat moldy bread, your ducks might stop eating and drink a lot more water, which leads to diarrhea and possibly enlarged liver and spleens.
