Feeding the Ducks

[Stinky Bob]

Not that I do anyway, have read conflicting reports about feeding bread to ducks, is it bad for them as some has suggested or is it a load of old tosh. Personally I would have thought feeding them corn would be better as they would taste a lot nicer (especially with some roast spuds done in goose fat).

[Jason Green]

Hi Bob,

From what I've heard, when a bird eats bread thrown for it, it often swells inside the stomach and gives the bird a feeling as though it's fuller, when in fact it isn't. Subsequently it eats less, with the bread then being less nutritious than what it would usually go for as well. Young birds/chicks/goslings can apparently choke if it swells in the throat. Thirdly, bread thrown into the water can stagnate and in doing so, uses up oxygen. With less oxygen I believe you then get a greater prevalence of algae which covers the surface, and slows down photosynthesis of some aquatic plants in a worse-case scenario! These are the things I've often read - but as you say, conflicting view points.

That said, I think feeding ducks - with bread being the most often used - is an essential way of introducing kids to wildlife, and in some cases hopefully they keep their interest throughout life from it.

Take care,

Jason

[loripo]

There is another 'feeding the ducks' thread from a couple of months back

Feeding the ducks

Have a look thru that. Though some seem only to go for bread. I've tried green stuff and that gets a mixed reaction - some funny looks from the birds

[AndrewB]

I too dont often feed ducks, but if I do, I at least make sure its brown or wholemeal bread. White bread must be the worst thing you could possibly feed them.

[sunnydale]

While I agree that feeding the ducks can be a good way of introducing young children to wildlife, I don't think it should be done with bread. (for all the reasons stated in Jason's post).
I'm all for places that provide bags of seed/grain etc. I think bread is used because it's easy for little hands to hold.....but parents/grandparents really need to change their ways and stop encouraging it!

At weekends/school holidays during the Spring/Summer, the river that flows through Bakewell is often full of bread, pastry, cake etc. I've even seen doughnuts floating along! After a few beak fulls, the ducks just lose interest anyway!

It annoys the life out of me and apart from the fact it looks disgusting, I dread to think what harm it does to the river over a period of time.

[Jason Green]

Originally Posted by sunnydale

At weekends/school holidays during the Spring/Summer, the river that flows through Bakewell is often full of bread, pastry, cake etc. I've even seen doughnuts floating along!

...wow, sounds like a nice river! Must come down, check it out, have some for lunch

[sunnydale]

Originally Posted by Jason Green

...wow, sounds like a nice river! Must come down, check it out, have some for lunch

[pegasus]

Originally Posted by AndrewB

I too dont often feed ducks, but if I do, I at least make sure its brown or wholemeal bread. White bread must be the worst thing you could possibly feed them.

Hi Andrew--I know wholemeal sounds ok[and is marginally better]---but it is'nt good for em mate.

[riggy]

Just be careful the litter police are not watching

BBC News : Park duck feeding fine withdrawn


Paul

[AndrewB]

Originally Posted by pegasus

Hi Andrew--I know wholemeal sounds ok[and is marginally better]---but it is'nt good for em mate.

Noted, Pegasus. It does seem strange though that I have never seen specialist duck food on the shelves in shops that sell wild bird food, e.g Wilkinsons. I'm sure people would buy it if it was more widely available.

[sunnydale]

Originally Posted by AndrewB

It does seem strange though that I have never seen specialist duck food on the shelves in shops that sell wild bird food, e.g Wilkinsons..

I think that's because we wouldn't normally feed wild ducks, as they spend most of their time on rivers, lakes etc. The shop keepers know there's not much money to be made from selling it. How many people would actually go to a river/lake to feed ducks with seed/grain on a daily basis?

Regarding wild birds, we are encouraged to feed them and attract them to our gardens and this is where the shops can make a killing.
They know we'll be out in the garden topping up the feeders and hanging up fat balls, every day come rain or shine!

Tracey.

[cherrywaff]

in my local park we have two lovely ponds , lots of ducks swans and geese. now ive lived played and fed ducks here for about 55 yrs. a couple of years ago they brought out a no bread policy and started selling grain from the restuarant on site. and suddenly the rat population exploded, they were everywhere, and very bold. i think personally that the harm bread does to the local duck population isnt as harmful as wheals disease could be to children playing and fishing in the area .the grain attracted the rats more than the bread did. i have a photo somewhere of a rat diving for the grain as i fed the ducks with my grandchildren.