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Everyone loves to feed the ducks. They are undeniably adorable, especially when they eat right from your hand! But of course, duck health must always come first. So, please DO NOT FEED THE DUCKS BREAD. I'm sure most of you have heard this before, and it really is important. Too much carbohydrate in their diet is bad for them, and the uneaten bread often ends up rotting and damaging their environment as a result.
It's probably best not to feed them at all but... that's not going to happen. We really want to feed the ducks. So here are a few alternatives that you can try out!
1) Oats
Ducks love oats. So far they have proven to be the most popular treat that we have given them. They are a bit dry on their own, but dropped in water they are perfect. Of course, it's important not to overdo it. A couple of the ducks have a tendency to get grumpy when such a delicious treat is on offer, and can start pecking at your clothes to get you to give them more food! They have soft beaks and are gentle, but even so bad behaviour should not be encouraged.
2) Peas (or sweetcorn)
Frozen peas work too, as long as they're defrosted first. Less popular than oats, but still pretty tasty. A brilliant way to get them to eat out of your hand, especially for people who are a bit more nervous.
3) Lettuce
Meh... alright, but not their favourite. Chopped up into small pieces, lettuce is a good option to feed ducks. Their interest in this food will probably depend on whether they are used to superior snacks - if they expect oats, lettuce is unlikely to be a welcome alternative.
4) Grapes (de-seeded and halved)
We have yet to try! But they are yet another healthier alternative to bread. We will run a taste test by the ducks and see how they respond.
5) Duck feed
It is possible to buy duck food from pet shops and online. Make sure it is suitable for ducks - standard wild bird seed isn't great for them.
These suggestions have been taken from the British Bird Lovers page. For more suggestions and advice about what to feed ducks, we recommend visiting their website, or the website of one of the many other bird-loving organisations.
Happy feeding!