Why You Shouldn’t Feed Ducks Bread (And What to Do Instead)

Feeding ducks at the park is a timeless activity that brings joy to both kids and adults. But despite good intentions, offering them bread may actually be doing more harm than good.

Bread Isn’t Good for Ducks

While it might seem harmless to throw a few slices of bread to the ducks, bread offers little to no nutritional value for them. It’s the equivalent of fast food—filling, but not nourishing. Ducks that fill up on bread feel full and stop searching for the natural foods they actually need, such as aquatic plants, insects, and small invertebrates.

Over time, this can lead to malnutrition, especially in young ducks that need a balanced diet to grow healthy and strong. In fact, a condition called "angel wing," a deformity that affects wing development, is often linked to poor diet and overfeeding of inappropriate foods like bread.

Environmental Impact

It’s not just the ducks that suffer. Uneaten bread can pollute the water, encourage algae growth, and attract pests like rats. Moldy bread left on the ground can also pose a risk of illness—not just to birds, but to pets and other wildlife.

What Can You Feed Ducks Instead?

If you’d like to feed the ducks, there are much healthier alternatives:

• Duck pellets or wildfowl feed (specially formulated for their needs)

• Chopped lettuce, spinach, or other leafy greens

• Peas (defrosted if frozen)

• Sweetcorn (no salt added)

• Oats or grains

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These options provide the nutrients ducks need to thrive and help support their natural behaviors.

Grab Some Duck Food From the Café!

To help you make the switch, we sell proper duck food right here in the café. It’s affordable, duck-friendly, and a great way to teach kids about caring for wildlife responsibly. Next time you head to the water’s edge, swing by and grab a bag—your feathered friends will thank you! 🦆