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If you’re raising ducks—whether you have a backyard flock of laying ducks or you’re hand raising a few ducklings—their feed is one of the most important things to get right.

Ducks have different nutritional needs than chickens, including higher niacin needs and more protein while they’re growing. They also need access to grit and plenty of clean water. That’s why a bag labeled “poultry feed” isn’t always the best choice for ducks.

Below, we’ve rounded up some of the highest rated and best reviewed duck feeds available, organized by life stage so you can find the right option for your birds without having to guess.

Before getting into the specific picks, there are a few things worth looking for when you’re choosing duck food for your flock. Not all feeds are created with ducks in mind, so these details can make a real difference:

• Niacin content: Ducks need more niacin than chickens, especially when they’re young and growing. Getting enough niacin helps support healthy legs and joints.

• Protein for their life stage: Ducklings need more protein (around 18% to 20%) to support rapid growth. Adult laying ducks generally do well with around 16%, while ducks that aren’t laying can usually have a slightly lower protein diet.

• Pellets, crumbles, or floating feed: Crumbles are usually easier for young ducklings to eat, while floating pellets can be a convenient option for ducks that eat in the water, because they’re easier to spot on the surface and can help cut down on wasted feed.

Mazuri Waterfowl Maintenance Floating Duck & Geese Feed consistently gets high marks. It’s a floating pellet made specifically for adult waterfowl, and many duck owners say they noticed healthier and happier birds after making the switch. The floating formula is especially handy if your ducks spend a lot of time in a pond or kiddie pool. The pellets stay on the surface, making them easy for ducks to spot while helping to prevent the feed from sinking, getting soggy, and going to waste.

For growing ducklings, Mazuri Waterfowl Starter Floating Duckling & Gosling Food is a standout choice. It’s specifically formulated for the rapid growth stage, with the higher protein and niacin ducklings need to support healthy development, strong legs, and joints. The floating formula can also be easier for young birds to manage while they’re learning to eat and drink.

If you prefer crumble over floating pellets for very young ducklings, Manna Pro Duck Starter Grower Crumbles is an excellent budget friendly option. Waterfowl owners often mention that their ducklings take to it easily and that this formula does a good job supporting healthy growth during those early stages.

Once your ducks are mature and laying eggs, their nutritional needs change and calcium becomes incredibly important. Mazuri Waterfowl Layer Floating Duck & Geese Feed is formulated with those needs in mind, helping support healthy consistent egg production while offering the same convenient floating pellet format as Mazuri’s maintenance feed.

Nutrena Duck Feed is a solid budget friendly option for duck owners who want reliable nutrition without paying a premium. Waterfowl owners say that ducks that had never laid before began laying more regularly after switching to this feed, making it a popular choice for supporting healthy consistent egg production.

If you’re looking for a more natural feed, Kalmbach All Natural Duck & Goose Feed is an excellent choice. It’s made with carefully selected all natural ingredients and has earned plenty of positive reviews from duck owners. This duck food is a great option for anyone who wants to give their waterfowl quality nutrition that’s made specifically for them.

Brown’s Duck & Goose Blend is an excellent choice for casually feeding backyard or park ducks. The smaller bag is convenient for occasional feeding, while the tasty blend of ingredients makes it especially appealing to ducks. It’s an easy and enjoyable option to keep on hand when you want to treat your feathered visitors to something they’ll love.

For ducks in the growing stage, Purina 19% Protein Duck Pellets is a great option for supporting healthy growth before they move on to an adult maintenance feed. It provides a balanced complete formula with 16% protein, and reviewers give it high marks for helping ducks maintain healthy weight and development.