Sorry.. I don't really know what forum to put this in..

But we live next to a creek, and all the little ducklings are hatching now.
My Mum always insists on giving them tons of bread, but it's at incosistant times..
Like about once a month.. maybe less..

Is it bad to feed them? Because does it make them think that they are always going to be fed? and they lose their natural instinct for getting food?
Or something like that?

Or is it good?

Around here it's illegal to feed ducks. It interferes with their natural feeding and the bread isn't good for them- especially if it's refined bread.

I don't feed ducks but I do feed other birds with feeders. I am of the opinion that we have destroyed so much of their habitat and introduced so many dog and cats into their home that the least we can do is offer something back to them. I would choose grain over bread but hey, start somewhere. Be careful not to make them companions, they need a good healthy fear of people.

Buy binoculars.

Sorry.. I don't really know what forum to put this in..

But we live next to a creek, and all the little ducklings are hatching now.
My Mum always insists on giving them tons of bread, but it's at incosistant times..
Like about once a month.. maybe less..

Is it bad to feed them? Because does it make them think that they are always going to be fed? and they lose their natural instinct for getting food?
Or something like that?

Or is it good?
yopu should not feed the ducks...espicaly bread as it offers them no value. you need to identfy if they are divers (fish eating ducks) or dabelers insect and plant eating. thebest information I know of about this can be found at
www.ducksunlimited.com
you can visit the web site then call them via the contact link and speak to wildlife biologist and if feeding is a strong urge they may recomend something that has nutrition value...like cracked corn

I generally don't like the idea of feeding wildlife. I fear that it will make them less fearful of humans and too dependent upon us for food. Our metroparks forbid it and say they want the animals to depend on their own foraging skills for food, and that they may get an improper diet from humans throwing them food.

How does feeding harm the ducks?


NON-MIGRATION
Waterfowl migrate to search for food and a more moderate climate. Park visitors have encouraged waterfowl to remain due to abundant, unnatural feeding, causing overpopulation.
OVERPOPULATION
A concentrated population of domestic waterfowl competes with natives for the natural resources and causes damage. The crowded conditions promote avian diseases.
AVIAN DISEASES
Crowded conditions support the transmission of disease, primarily duck viral enteritis, fowl cholera and botulism. While on migratory layover, wild fowl risk contracting localized disease. When they fly out, they can spread disease to previously unaffected areas.
INTERBREEDING
When feral, domestic fowl commingle with the native population, hybridization occurs. The genetically altered offspring are often flightless, contributing to non-migration and overpopulation.
PHYSICAL DAMAGE
Domestic gees are primarily grazers. Due to their large numbers, portions of the lawns and shrubs have been sheared to the roots, leaving unsightly landscape problems. The lawns, paths, docks, picnic tables and reservoir are also contaminated with feces, which is costly to remove.
WATER QUALITY
Each goose produces one pound of feces every day. The accumulation of waste matter in the reservoir has created unpleasant odors and diminished oxygen levels, reducing the viability of aquatic live in the water.
PUBLIC HEALTH RISKS
Duck feces and its potential salmonella content brings hazards to the public. Geese are prone to aggression and have been known to bite children and adults.

Just some info that might make a difference to some. Thanks for letting me share,
Nora

[QUOTE=twobluemoons]How does feeding harm the ducks?


I like what you typed there. Cooked bread has no value to birds, ducks etc, craked corn is better, but they are best off finding food sources. if yoou want to feed ducks or any wild life create a habiate for them. A wet land or seasonal wet land is eaily created, and so on...build dont feed.

I see people feeding them so much junk food -- bread made from refined flour, friggin potato chips. I basically agree -- don't feed them. It wreaks havoc on natural balance. That said, a little sample now and then -- not enough to make them dependent, but just as an occaisional "communication" that we know they exist, and we know they need food -- can be fun. Just maybe a few pieces of whole-grain bread for a whole bunch of them -- i'm sure this won't hurt them. But for gosh sakes don't make battling gluttons out of them, battling for junk food.

I see people feeding them so much junk food -- bread made from refined flour, friggin potato chips. I basically agree -- don't feed them. It wreaks havoc on natural balance. That said, a little sample now and then -- not enough to make them dependent, but just as an occaisional "communication" that we know they exist, and we know they need food -- can be fun. Just maybe a few pieces of whole-grain bread for a whole bunch of them -- i'm sure this won't hurt them. But for gosh sakes don't make battling gluttons out of them, battling for junk food.

dont feed them bread
http://www.lakecrest.ca/grade4/IsFeeding.htm

Don't feed ANY wildlife.

Why are we so tempted to do this?

Thanks everyone for your replies. I assumed that would be the case, thus why I haven't feed the ducks in ages. And I've convinced my Mum not to feed them either.
I just read the posts out to her pretending I was just saying it :P

I felt like I should explain what people might be thinking when feeding wildlife, in response to the following comment and the thread:

Don't feed ANY wildlife. Why are we so tempted to do this?

There are probably many different reasons, but I'll go from my past point of view. I'll add though, that I once saw a guy dumping bags of stale crackers (or cereal?) into an already filthy little pond, crackers the ducks weren't even interested in. Very uncool.

We are so tempted to do this because it makes us smile (and it appears to make the animals "smile" too). Simple. Just like bird feeders for wild birds, which for whatever reason isn't frowned upon in the same way. It just doesn't dawn on you that doing something nice, is bad. You look at the animals in the winter and see them scrounging for food, the assumption is that there isn't enough to go around and they're suffering hunger. If you accidently drop a crumb, they scurry over to eat it. So, wouldn't they appreciate it if we brought them something more than just a crumb? They do, but at what cost? When you're empathetic with animals and you enjoy their company, it's quite pleasurable to be able to sit with them, have them surround you & enjoy the food you've brought them. That being said, we have mostly nixed this past time for the good of the animals. We eat higher quality bread & never eat the end crusts, that is the bread we would save up and take to them on rare occasions. It also seemed good to use it, instead of just throwing it away. I don't know about you guys, but I have fond memories all the way back to childhood of going out to feed the birds. It just has an overall peaceful vibe to it. Same with pigeons, ducks & seagulls & squirrels.

I am happy I read this post. I feed Ducks and all kinds of animals. I usually leave food on the ground....instead of throwing the food in the trash. Mostly apples, plums, etc. I really intend for the Ants to eat those fruits, but I guess other animals share in the process of eating those fruits with the Ants. But anyways I didn't realize these foods could harm the animals and could make them depend on humans even more.

Now I will stop feeding them food I love and feed them bread.

So wait, is it really better to just throw something like a piece of moldy bread out than to toss it outside for a squirrel or bird? It just seems like such a waste. Obviously it's best not to bring them food often, or to buy food specifically for them (such as the birdseed for wild birds, or as my family likes to do, buying oyster crackers for our squirrels) but if it's something we won't eat anyway, isn't it better that it go to some life form rather than taking up more space in a landfill?

basicly yes
if want to feed and stract wild life to your properity, plant an area as large as you can. Plant cover like tall grasses, and rosebushes, then plant some seed baring plants, from flowers to corn. this way they dont lose their fear of people, foriging ability. Plant for wildlife, feed your family.

So wait, is it really better to just throw something like a piece of moldy bread out than to toss it outside for a squirrel or bird? It just seems like such a waste. Obviously it's best not to bring them food often, or to buy food specifically for them (such as the birdseed for wild birds, or as my family likes to do, buying oyster crackers for our squirrels) but if it's something we won't eat anyway, isn't it better that it go to some life form rather than taking up more space in a landfill?

Yes, it is better, unless you want to continue to train animals to depend on humans for food.

Anyway, have you ever been to a landfill? There are millions of animals around them and they will likely find your moldy bread if they want to eat it.