Feeding Ducks

David · Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Posts: 79

My wife and I used to really enjoy going down to the lake to feed bread to ducks, until we found out there are lots of reasons not to do it.
1) The bread expands in their stomach, and they lose their appetite for more nutritious foods.
2) If the feeding is done in one area repeatedly, there tends to be a problem with mixing of dung and food leading to avian botulism
3) If you take your dog with you, the ducks may become accustomed to feeling safe around animals, and then not run away when real predators are around
4) The ducks may not fly South for the Winter, because they become dependant on humans, and then when it is cold and the humans are not around, they may die.
5) If a lot of bread sinks to the bottom of the lake, it can get moldy and cause chemical changes in the water that cause problems for all of the wildlife and fish that live in the lake.
6) Ducks will start to eat other things that look like bread including styrofoam.
7) They will get overfed, and can literally drown in their own fat.

They say that it is best not to feed ducks at all, and if you are going to do it, to use cracked corn.

I hope this wasn't too disturbing, but I wanted to make sure people realize the harm they can cause by feeding ducks.

Peor · Joined: 12 Aug 2004 Posts: 45

I knew it wasn't good to feed ducks, but not for the reasons you mentioned. It's very informative. I only knew that if ducks are fed, they don't go searching for food anymore (they already have their belly full) and go kill time by mating... Yeah, sounds strange, huh? But when ducks mate they tend to pull out the feathers out of the neck of the females, leaving them with ugly bold spots, if it happens too often.

Sounds weird, but I once saw a woman on tv, explaining that as reason why you shouldn't feed ducks...

But I think your reasons sound better as explanation, David :)

Jonathan · Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Posts: 208 Location: San Diego

Important information there David, and much of it translates across to feeding any wild animals as well!

David · Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Posts: 79

We also went down to the apartment leasing office armed with this information, and ask them to either print our article in the newsletter or post a sign not to feed the ducks.

salsachinita · Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2004 7:59 am Post subject:

Jonathan wrote: it translates across to feeding any wild animals as well!

Yep, we have a famous parrot-feeding spot where colourful parrots come landing on you to feed........for similar reasons, not allowed to do it any more.

We also got possums begging for food around the parks in the city :shock: .....! They are cute but can scrach & bite. Luckliy we don't have rabis down here.

Jonathan · Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Posts: 208 Location: San Diego

salsachinita wrote: ....we don't have rabis down here.
You don't??? :shock:

:wink: :lol:

salsachinita · Posted: Sun Oct 31, 2004 2:49 am Post subject:

Jonathan wrote: salsachinita wrote: ....we don't have rabis down here.
You don't??? :shock:

No, and we'd like to keep it that way 8) !

cocodrilo · Joined: 07 Aug 2004 Posts: 93 Location: Japan

YES- great post! I hate to hear about scuba diving expeditions where the guide will "chum" with human food(like frozen peas) which are NOT good for sea life! The locals in Hawaii never stop short of reminding visitors of this! Let the fish eat what fish should eat. If you don't spot any fish on your dive, go again on another day!

Jonathan · Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Posts: 208 Location: San Diego

cocodrilo wrote: If you don't spot any fish on your dive, go again on another day!
Yes, or, at the least, feed them food that's natural to them! :x

bmason · Joined: 28 Jul 2005 Posts: 77

Jimmy cracked corn and fed it to the ducks. :lol:

darskayairene · Joined: 20 Mar 2005 Posts: 148

Hm, I never thought feeding ducks is harmful. Very informative article. And it is very good you are going to print it in the newspaper.

bmason · Joined: 28 Jul 2005 Posts: 77

darskayairene wrote: Hm, I never thought feeding ducks is harmful. Very informative article. And it is very good you are going to print it in the newspaper.

I did not think it did anything either because so many people do it. Any idea if the same goes for seagulls? I used to feed them when it would rain and they would hang around public areas.

darskayairene · Joined: 20 Mar 2005 Posts: 148

bmason wrote: darskayairene wrote: Hm, I never thought feeding ducks is harmful. Very informative article. And it is very good you are going to print it in the newspaper.

I did not think it did anything either because so many people do it. Any idea if the same goes for seagulls? I used to feed them when it would rain and they would hang around public areas.

I think most of the points refer to seagulls also.

bmason · Joined: 28 Jul 2005 Posts: 77

darskayairene wrote: bmason wrote: darskayairene wrote: Hm, I never thought feeding ducks is harmful. Very informative article. And it is very good you are going to print it in the newspaper.

I did not think it did anything either because so many people do it. Any idea if the same goes for seagulls? I used to feed them when it would rain and they would hang around public areas.

I think most of the points refer to seagulls also.

Well I have not done that in over 10 years but it was something that came to mind. I don't think most people do it to hurt them, I think they are just trying to be nice.

I would hope anyway