Swan/duck feed

[Colarris]

I just wondered if they was any food I can pick up from pet shops that I can use to feed ducks and swans etc. Maybe some type of grain?

[DMF235-Belfast]

Hi, believe it or not apparently lettuce and potatoes are supposed to be a good way to go, havent tried it myself yet

[slimrbp]

Not sure about pet shops but I get this from Amazon. Unlike grain it floats and I guess is a bit healthier than a loaf of bread

The coots and moorhens like this as well.

Wildlife Foods - Wildthings Swan & Duck Food 1.5kg: Amazon.co.uk: Garden & Outdoors

It seems quite expensive but 1.5 Kg goes a long way! I think you get smaller tubs if you look around.

[healfdan]

I take it that your birds have access to water and you are supplementing the natural foods found in a pond or stream. If this is the case mixed corn is great and in shallow water the ducks and swans will take it off the bottom. In our medium sized pond we raised a family of six cygnets on this together with a few greens.
Healfdan

[faz]

ask for waterfowl food mix if not then grain wheat corn mixed bird seed lettuce and brown bread or white if thats all u have if u can find them some worms small spiders etc

[Hobjob]

There are several threads on WAB reminding us not to feed bread - apparently fills the beauties up but not enough nutrients and they starve.

[faz]

Originally Posted by Hobjob

There are several threads on WAB reminding us not to feed bread - apparently fills the beauties up but not enough nutrients and they starve.

a little bread wont hurt as long as it is not all they have

[Jonathan]

Cheapest and easiest to feed is barley, ducks love it. Watch wild mallard flighting out to feed on arable fields in the evening, they will invariably choose barley over wheat or oats. It also sinks in water which helps to discourage rats. Throw it into water up to 18" deep and the ducks will upend to reach it. You should be able to get a 20kg sack for £8-9.

Wonder what goes into 'Wildthings Swan & Duck Food' to make it worth £10.27 per 1.5 kg?? Truffles?

Cheers
Jonathan

[Colarris]

Many thanks for all the suggestions, I'll see if my local store sells barley but will also get some lettuce as well.

[RoyW]

Originally Posted by faz

a little bread wont hurt as long as it is not all they have

True, but feeding even a little bread should be actively discouraged.

I am sure that everyone has a pond or lake near them where people regularly feed the ducks, and these feeding spots always have ducks congregating near them 'waiting' to be fed. A lot of 'little bits' soon adds up to a lot, so if people can be encouraged to try other foods (like those suggested in this thread) it means that the ducks have a far healthier diet!