Curious about whether or not I should allow my niece to throw goldfish crackers into our local pond, I googled my question about what ducks are supposed to eat, and was shocked at what I found!
The website below explains how by feeding ducks bread, nuts, and seeds is damaging to their systems and can shorten their lives ten-fold......so think about what all the popcorn and chips can do!
http://www.liveducks.com/wfeeding.html
The article also talks about the cruelty of people purposely tossing one small piece of bread in so that they can watch the ducks fight over it. I see people do that all the time here, and I could understand how that would make them more aggressive towards each other with time.
DID YOU KNOW THIS STUFF ALREADY???
2007-08-27 06:07:57 · 9 answers · asked by nawailohiloi 3 in Environment ➔ Other - Environment
I forgot to add this first page that mentions what they CAN eat... here is a quote "What they can eat off the menu: Aside from pelleted mash, their staple food (what they eat on a daily basis), they enjoy vegetable trimmings, algae, plants, snails, meal worms, night crawlers, coy food, feeder goldfish, and expensive landscaping.
Chopped, hard-boiled eggs are good for a treat. Some foods that are OK for adults are not particularly safe for a duckling, especially anything containing breads and certain dry foods, so check with your vet first."
from this link http://www.liveducks.com/faqs.html#eyes
And actually it may say "wild ducks" but unless the duck is your personal pet then it is still considered wild if it is living in a pond with other ducks. And that same link above says to "Avoid nuts and seeds. Duck have a different digestive system than most other birds and can't handle many of the same foods that are safe for some birds."
2007-08-27 06:34:06 · update #1
After seeing this post, I read that Ducks get fat, and malnourished, when feeding of bread. They tend to go for the bread first and their original food, which is more rich in nutrients, second. The younger ducks also don't learn to feed of the wild food.
Here are some friendlier alternatives then bread: "Substitute cheerios, grapes cut in half, a thawed bag of frozen peas or corn, or kale, romaine or other leafy greens (not iceberg lettuce)."
Nice post.
2007-08-27 07:10:34 · answer #1 · answered by Anders 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I do interpretation and can't tell you how many times I've engaged people about feeding ducks and wildlife. Even after being informed about the problems and consequences, some people will still feed the ducks because it makes them feel good and they get a good close look at the ducks.
It's kind of sad but very encouraging to see you did your homework and have broken the cycle with your niece. Thank you for sharing that!
2007-08-27 14:16:45 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you read carefullly, the problem has to do with feeding WILD birds. The problem is that they lose their ability to find their own food, fly well, and avoid humans. It is not damaging their health otherwise. So if you are feeding the resident ducks in the pond of your town, and not wild animals, it is OK.
Similarly, it is wrong to feed the wild birds, especially pigeons, because if they all eat together they get one another's disease more easily. But it is not a problem to throw seeds dispersed around for them to eat!
2007-08-27 06:17:32 · answer #3 · answered by cpinatsi 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I find that hard to believe. I would need more proof than a statement on the Internet from some source I don't know. Feeding any wildlife can cause them to become too tame and dependent on people, but bread actually being so bad for them that it kills them in a short time is just too much for me to accept unchallenged.
2007-08-27 08:40:50 · answer #4 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It makes a lot of sense; it's not like you see ducks out baking bread.
2007-08-27 07:17:53 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think its the duck's fault. The ducks should be intelligent enough to know what's good for them and what's not.
2007-08-27 14:11:27 · answer #6 · answered by Mr. Cheese 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Awww that's so sad. I never really thought about it that way in regards to making them more agressive :(
I'll make sure I bring planty next time.
So what are we supposed to feed them instead?
2007-08-27 06:16:57 · answer #7 · answered by mrs.v259 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
nope i did'nt kno this.some ppl even feed birds wid bread.
2007-08-27 06:58:11 · answer #8 · answered by jessica c 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no but very interesting to know so what should we feed them ? and why dont the park rangers put signs up or let us know that it can harm them i have not seen such thig
2007-08-27 06:16:34 · answer #9 · answered by *********** 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋