Feeding ducks

[lovingmylife]

There is a pond that we go to on occasion and it is filled with ducks. There are no signs to not feed them so we take DS (4) to feed them bread. They flock all around us and are not aggressive at all. We went with my friend and her DS (4) and she would not let him feed the ducks because she said they could bite. Her DS was pretty sad having to sit far back and watch while our family fed them. Would you let your kids feed them or would you fear they could bite? ( They were so friendly and sweet!)

[mbm]

I would let my kids feed the ducks, as long they knew NEVER to tease the ducks.

My cousin used to taunt the ducks by offering them bread and snatching it away. That stopped when he got a nasty bite.

[lovingmylife]

Oh no we would not tease ducks either. Just throw them bread, my son wouldnt ever want to be mean to them.

[journeymom]

Well they can't bite if you toss the bread into the water, not hand it to them. My kids like tossing bread into the crowd and then tossing some further out to the slower ducks that never get there in time.

[lovingmylife]

They were not in the water. Well they were until they saw the bread and then we had a huge crowd around us lol. So were were feeding them on land right by us.

[mamadelbosque]

We feed the ducks at parks too. Yes, I suppose they could bite, in theory, but in practice as long as you arent taunting/teasing as others have said, I doubt it.

[_betsy_]

We go to a duck pond that has a bridge people throw bread from. So you're no where near the ducks.

[hibiscus mum]

Sorry to be the turd in the punchbowl, but you really shouldn't be feeding the ducks bread. It's really bad for them and feeding ducks can spread disease, lead to poor nutrition, pollution, among other problems.

http://www.duckrescuenetwork.org/duck_care.html

I know it sucks because it's a cheap, fun outing for families and kids...but it's just not a good idea.

[Limabean1975]

Originally Posted by hibiscus mum

Sorry to be the turd in the punchbowl, but you really shouldn't be feeding the ducks bread. It's really bad for them and feeding ducks can spread disease, lead to poor nutrition, pollution, among other problems.

http://www.duckrescuenetwork.org/duck_care.html

I know it sucks because it's a cheap, fun outing for families and kids...but it's just not a good idea.

[Babina's Mommy]

turd in the punchbowl? haha...

[pauletoy]

Yeah, we are duck feeders too.

[lovingmylife]

I didnt know you shouldnt feed them. Its too bad because he loves doing it and its a great free outdoor thing to do, plus we take a nature walk right after.

[MoonStarFalling]

We have had them as pets since I was a kid. I've never been bit by one. I think your friend is mistaken. Now geese and swans are different.

[prone_to_wander]

I'd also like to put my supposrt behind not feeding the ducks. They become dependent on a non-natural food source that is really not healthy for them. If your diet consisted of (mostly white) bread from an easily available source and was not meant to be eaten by you....you'd be really unhealthy too.

[SunshineJ]

Yeah I grew up feeding the ducks and geese. Really, they don't have teeth, so it's not like if a dog clamps down on your hand! I was nipped by them a couple times, it wasn't a big deal. As for the debate on if you should or shouldn't, that's something I know nothing about and will decline to engage in.

[minkleaf]

We're going to feed the ducks tomorrow. However the park has "Don't feed them bread" signs up all over. Instead they suggest getting cracked corn at the nearby fruit stand. We always toss it on the ground or in the water. I prefer to avoid actual physical contact with wild animals.

[russsk]

We don't feed the ducks because it's bad for them, but we have a wonderful time going to the duck pond and just watching them be themselves. For me it's a lot more fun watching them look for food underwater and socialize and do other ducky things rather than having them all clamor around me getting aggressive with one another.

[Bea]

concerns about feeding ducks aside...ducks don't have teeth so they can't bite since by definition, biting is using your teeth to cut into something.

Ducks peck and because they have rounded bills, if you hand fed ducks (even wild ducks) you'll find it doesn't hurt. It's one of those giggly funny sensations that you don't quite like but want to feel again Kind of nice.

[oiseau]

I'm a wildlife biologist and occasional farmer.

Ducks may not have teeth, but their bills are serrated on the inside. If they bite or nip you, it can hurt and even scratch you enough to draw blood.

I know it's fun to feed duck, but like the PPs have mentioned, it's bad for them for a number of reasons (junk food, makes them not scared of humans, etc.). They're pretty fun to just watch, without giving them any food!

[just_lily]

We only feed ducks at the zoo where they have a duck pond and you can buy feed out of a dispenser for a quarter. Never been bit, but we only throw it to them.