dsadsa Prohibition signs are often posted - but not always. And so many people feed the ducks anyway. Most of us naturally want to do something good for the animals. But unfortunately this is a misunderstood form of Animal welfare in everyday life.
Tip: I have dealt with this in a separate article, to what extent animals feel emotions and pain. Maybe this is also interesting for you.
Why you shouldn't feed ducks with bread
To ensure that as many people as possible no longer feed ducks bread without a second thought, I would like to list the reasons for this here. You'll soon realize that there's more to it than just "it's unhealthy for ducks".
Sufficient food available
Ducks usually eat Spawn, small fish, frogs, larvae or Worms. There is therefore plenty of food available in and around Germany's lakes and rivers.
But of course they also like to take the thrown bread because it is so convenient. But bread only makes ducks sluggish and fat.
Bread is unhealthy for ducks
As you may already have noticed, bread is not a suitable food for birds because it simply contains too much salt and swells in the stomach or even already in the throat. This threatens the animals with death by suffocation.
Ducks lose their shyness in front of people
When ducks have learned that they don't have to be afraid of humans, but are even fed bread every day, they naturally lose their shyness. The can become a danger to the animalswhen they get too close to a dog or a car, for example.
Oxygen consumption in water
Bread and increased duck droppings reduce the oxygen content of the water. The declining water quality increases Influence on the entire ecosystem and provokes, for example, increasing algae formation.
Feeding ducks is an administrative offense
Feeding ducks is simply prohibited and can be expensive. The respective city administration can issue a Fine of up to 1,000 euros impose.
Incidentally, the food also attracts other animals such as rats and mice, which then cost the city dearly in terms of pest control.
Why do we still feed ducks?
Because we are simply good people and, above all, our Giving children a bit of fun want. At the same time, many people see it as an exemplary measure to give children a friendly contact with animals to teach them. Most of us feed the ducks because that's what we used to do with our parents. But today we know that feeding ducks is dangerous.
We can teach children how to treat animals differently
On the one hand, anyone can lobby the respective city to put up "No feeding ducks" signs in the appropriate places. On the other hand, children can also be introduced to nature in a more animal-friendly way. For example at a Excursion with the Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU) or other animal welfare organizations. Simply observing animals a few meters away can also help children to understand how to handle ducks sensibly.
If you see people feeding ducks (with bread), you should kindly point outthat it is unhealthy for the animals.
Feeding waterfowl correctly
If you absolutely do not want to give up feeding the ducks, you should special waterfowl feed from the pet shop to the edge of the river or a lake. This is healthier for the animals and better for the water quality. Oatmeal and small pieces of fruit are also a better alternative for ducks than bread.₁
Notice: We don't need to talk about those who throw bread to ducks even though they know it's forbidden. This is of course deliberate Cruelty to animals.
Do not feed ducks - educate other people
The ducks and their chicks lose their shyness, the bread swells up in their stomachs and is life-threatening, it attracts rats and reduces the water quality in rivers and lakes. What's more, feeding ducks is not only dangerous, it is also banned throughout Germany. Good reasons not to give ducks bread carelessly and to set the wrong example for your children - usually unintentionally.
Do you have any questions or your own experiences with feeding ducks? Then simply write me a comment under this article. You are also welcome to share the link to the informative article with others.
Stay pet friendly,
PS.: In the animal welfare blog you can find out so much more about how you can do not only ducks, but also many other animals a big favor every day. For example, read the article about the Factory farming and its consequences.
References:
₁ Landesbund für Vogelschutz in Bayern (LBV) e. V.: May or should you actually feed ducks?, available at https://www.lbv.de/ratgeber/lebensraum-garten/voegel-fuettern/soll-man-enten-fuettern. [26.03.2020].
Thank you ! This is really an important contribution ! I so often observe that whole rolls of bread floating in the water !
We also did that 30 years ago as children to feed bread , but for children is also enough to observe animals and with wild animals it is also important if the children learn to keep a respectful distance, I think.