#feeding ducks

[typhlonectes]

Don't feed bread to ducks!

Find out more:

4 Reasons Why You Shouldn't Feed Bread to Ducks (treehugger.com)

Wild Birds Unlimited - Nature Shop (wbu.com)

Do's and Don'ts of Duck Feeding - Maine Audubon

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[orangutansoda]

I brought some frozen veggies while in Germany to feed the ducks at a pond in the city my fiance lives.

My fiance and I went over to the edge of the water and began throwing some corn and peas into the water. They didn’t seem to care much but I had fun watched the ducks swim around.

Then I saw some kids (around age 8-10) throwing rocks at the ducks and into the water and I began to complain to my fiance how pissed I was that they were doing that. I normally wouldn’t mind if there was no ducks, but they were aiming FOR the ducks and that bothered me. It can also be damaging to throw larger rocks into the water or even pick up larger rocks as they can be home to many key points to an ecosystem.

I kept giving them dirty looks when they’d throw in rocks, but didn’t say anything in hopes a parent would be there.

Then, the little boy of the group picked up a BRICK and went to go throw it in. The two girls he was with protested but he proceeded to CHUCK the brick into the water with a huge splash. I couldn’t stop myself from letting out an “AH-“ as if I was about to start yelling at this kid. I looked at him with the most anger and disappointment my face could muster up. I threw my hands up like “why did you do that dude?”

The kids noticed and ran away in shame and I shook my head and complained to my fiance who also said he too had given a look.

Then, to my surprise, the kids came over to US. They asked us if we had a lot of the food we were throwing in and I smiled and welcomed them to join. I let them take massive handfuls and then my fiance told them it was okay for them to throw the food but to not throw rocks. Which I giggled at.

Then I watched as they laughed and played and had fun throwing the corn into the water. I smiled and then after a bit, I decided I wanted to go home since I was cold and hungry. So, when the kids came over for more food, my fiance offered them the rest of what we had. He told them to take it and have fun.

They thanked us and we left. As we walked down the way, we saw them at the edge of the river throwing corn and peas into the water and the little boy yelled to us “DANKE!” (Thank you) And I answered back “Natürlich!” (Of course!)

And I smiled as the kids enjoyed the day.

It was a moment that I think I will remember for years to come. We not only helped them redirect their behaviors to a more positive one, but also rewarded them for asking for something from a stranger, for asking help, and for being kids.

Kids deserve to have fun and be silly and we can help them by redirecting that energy into other, less harmful, ways of that.

Idk, it was super cute and my fiance was such a dad in the moment which made me laugh as well. I love kids so much man…

[bring-nature-back]

One thing I love to do is feed the ducks, pigeons, gulls and whatever birds show up, but it is important that you feed them correctly!

My favourite thing to feed them is sunflower hearts, because the hard shells of sunflower seeds don't digest entirely.

You shouldn't feed ducks bread. It is not nutritional and acts as empty calories, preventing them from getting the proper nutrients they need from foraging. Mouldy bread can cause fatal infections, and a lack of nutrients can cause many diseases, such as angel wing. If it is the only thing you have available, it will not kill them, however making that small change to healthier alternatives makes so much difference!

There are many alternatives that are healthier for ducks and other birds, such as rolled oats, seeds, chopped leafy greens, peas, corn, cut grapes and many more! I encourage you to research before feeding any wild animals and make sure to wash your hands! 🫧

[jean-luc-thiccard]

Thank you @abumperprize for the suggestion

[custardfist]

[thegoodmorningman]

Actually, have a Good Morning this and each Day🌞

[chestersbraincell]

Thinking about that one time when, as a wee child, I was chased by a swan that wanted more bread(I had no more bread left). It was hissing a lot as it chased me and so I was very frightened of such looking birds for a while

Turn forward about 2 years, still quite traumatised and small, we go feeding ducks again. But they begin to move closer and closer to us. So, fuelled by pure adrenaline, I throw the bread I was holding at my dad who was standing next to me, and bolt it down the shoreline of the lake. I fall over once, only to immediately get back up again only to keep running, because I was just so scared.

Turns out the ducks never did take chase, now imagine how funny that must’ve looked to bystanders

[docdust]

Writer's Strike Day 668

As the Writers Guild of America strike continues, an apparently homeless person was seen feeding ducks in St James Park. His dishevelled and unkempt hair and worn clothing give the impression of deep despair, even desolation.

Passers-by occasionally pick up fragments of a monologue that sound like "ever asking questions", "could have been us" and "no nightingales".

The police were informed but Inspector Constable @muriel-not-the-dim-one took no notice as they was too busy with a cupperty to bother.

(Reporters have asked around, but nobody seems to know this person)