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Malmsy

(296 posts)
Mon Dec 28, 2020, 06:34 PM Dec 2020

Feed Ducks Frozen (thawed) Peas, Not Bread, Wildlife Organization Urges

Feeding ducks bread can even prevent them from flying. A high-carb, high-protein diet of mostly bread can cause a wing deformity known as “angel wing” or “airplane wing” that causes the end feathers to stick out sideways instead flat against the body, so that it can’t fly.

Still, humans love feeding ducks. It brings us joy to be able to connect and interact with wildlife in such a way.

Luckily, the Canal and River Trust says we can still feed the ducks, in moderation, with healthier foods that are closer to their natural diet.

The charity even conducted a taste test to see which healthy foods ducks like best. Here’s the list:

1. Frozen peas and pea shoots (don’t cook the peas, but let them thaw)

2. Sweet corn (canned, frozen or fresh)

3. Lettuce or cabbage (kale is their favorite!)

4. Oats (rolled, steel-cut, or instant, they’ll love this treat in moderation)

5. Seeds (bird seed or seeds from the health food market)

6. Rice (cooked or uncooked, in moderation)


https://returntonow.net/2020/07/26/feed-ducks-frozen-peas-not-bread-wildlife-organization-urges/
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Feed Ducks Frozen (thawed) Peas, Not Bread, Wildlife Organization Urges (Original Post) Malmsy Dec 2020 OP
Good advice Disaffected Dec 2020 #1
I guess my Peanutbutter Crackers were not good, Arne Dec 2020 #2
Cool! ProfessorGAC Dec 2020 #3
Somehow raw rice doesn't sound good Lars39 Dec 2020 #4
Agreed Mendocino Dec 2020 #9
Yeah, that would be my last choice. smirkymonkey Dec 2020 #10
it's fine. mopinko Dec 2020 #16
worms d_r Dec 2020 #5
Wondering if this list is true for all birds: for example, migratory birds? FakeNoose Dec 2020 #6
❤️ ✿❧🌿❧✿ ❤️ Lucinda Dec 2020 #7
Really good article. Throck Dec 2020 #8
DU has a Birders group (under the Recreation section) IcyPeas Dec 2020 #11
Lol! Malmsy Dec 2020 #15
Yesterday a pair of crows were picking at Grokenstein Dec 2020 #12
(1) I think so gladium et scutum Dec 2020 #13
they dont have the receptors for capsaicin. mopinko Dec 2020 #17
aww, he will live a long time. n/t Arne Dec 2020 #14
I feed mine #2 yellow shelled corn... farmbo Dec 2020 #18

Arne

(1,968 posts)
2. I guess my Peanutbutter Crackers were not good,
Mon Dec 28, 2020, 06:41 PM
Dec 2020

One of them has angel wing.
She is however happy, in a good environment, and reproducing prolifically.

ProfessorGAC

(64,425 posts)
3. Cool!
Mon Dec 28, 2020, 06:42 PM
Dec 2020

Good suggestions, I'd say.
We hardly ever see ducks around here anymore. Lots of geese & wild turkets, but ducks are super rare.
They must be nesting & feeding in different spots than they used to.

FakeNoose

(32,351 posts)
6. Wondering if this list is true for all birds: for example, migratory birds?
Mon Dec 28, 2020, 06:55 PM
Dec 2020

I'll probably share this on Facebook. It looks like good info.


Throck

(2,520 posts)
8. Really good article.
Mon Dec 28, 2020, 06:58 PM
Dec 2020

I use to raise domestic ducks as a kid. All grain but we use to let them run the garden with the chickens to clean out the bugs. They never really bothered the vegetables and we never had to use pesticides. They would eat sprouting weeds but mature vegetables they would leave alone. Higher level organic gardening.

IcyPeas

(21,747 posts)
11. DU has a Birders group (under the Recreation section)
Mon Dec 28, 2020, 07:18 PM
Dec 2020

this would, no doubt, be interesting to that group too.

NOTE: my name is IcyPeas. Please do not feed me to the birds.

Grokenstein

(5,707 posts)
12. Yesterday a pair of crows were picking at
Mon Dec 28, 2020, 07:19 PM
Dec 2020

a pair of rolled-up paper bags some dickweasel dropped in a parking space. I was stuck waiting for a crosswalk light, so I ripped open the bags for them so they could get to whatever goodies were inside. Turned out to be ranch dressing and ground red pepper bits from a pizza place. Now I have questions:

(1) Is spicy/hot stuff like red pepper safe for crows and other birds? Do they LIKE it?
(2) Ranch dressing probably isn't good for them, but same question.
(3) What's best to give to crows?

Not a crow, but adorable:

gladium et scutum

(803 posts)
13. (1) I think so
Mon Dec 28, 2020, 07:35 PM
Dec 2020

I feed birds suet cakes impregnated with cayenne pepper. The squirrels will not touch the stuff, but various species of birds eat it up without problems. A friend of mine told me she feeds her parrot habanero peppers without any ill effect. I guess birds digestive systems react different to capsicums than us mammals.

mopinko

(69,806 posts)
17. they dont have the receptors for capsaicin.
Mon Dec 28, 2020, 08:20 PM
Dec 2020

that's why a lot of parrot seed mixes contain peppers. otherwise very healthy.
ranch dressing wont hurt them.

farmbo

(3,120 posts)
18. I feed mine #2 yellow shelled corn...
Mon Dec 28, 2020, 08:41 PM
Dec 2020

I have a 100 or so ducks (mostly mallards with a few Woodies) that have been over-wintering on my pond for the past 20 years... and I have yet to hear a single complaint.

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