Castor beans contain ricin, a toxalbumin known to cause toxicity in humans and domestic animals. Some older varieties of rapeseed meal contain erucic acid and goitrogens at levels high enough to be harmful to poultry. Ducks are much more sensitive to erucic acid than are chickens and turkeys. However even Canola meals should first be tested in ducks before their use in duck feeds on a large scale. Duck keepers should take care not to use insect sprays or rodent poisons, that are known to be harmful to ducks, in areas accessible to ducks.
Some insect sprays are highly toxic to ducks, such as parathion and diazinon.
Always read the directions on the insecticide container carefully before using around ducks. Rat poisons that contain Warfarin, an anticoagulant, if consumed by ducks, can cause them to bleed to death. Copyright 2001, International Duck Research Cooperative, Inc., All rights reserved. Unauthorized use prohibited.