While I fully understand where Jan is coming from, I believe feeding ducks can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience. You just have to make sure you are feeding them proper duck food. Who knows, maybe you'll feel so empowered as to write the next Make Way for Ducklings. That book, after all, was inspired by the very act of feeding ducks in the waterways of Boston during the 1930's. What Not to Feed Ducks The most common items fed to ducks and waterfowl are also the least nutritious and most unhealthy: bread, chips, crackers, popcorn and similar bread-type products. Feeding ducks bread is bad because the food has little nutritional value and can harm ducklings’ growth, pollute waterways and attract rodents and other pests. Similarly, ducks should not be fed any products that are spoiled or moldy; different types of mold can be fatal to waterfowl. Fortunately, there are many other types of food that can be offered to ducks, geese and swans as part of a healthy and nutritious diet.
Good Foods for Ducks The best foods for ducks are those that provide the nutrients, minerals and vitamins the birds need for healthy growth and development. Many of these foods are similar to the natural seeds, grains and plants the birds will forage on their own. The best foods to offer ducks include: Cracked corn Wheat Barley Oats Milo Birdseed Grapes (cut in half) Frozen peas or corn (defrosted) Earthworms Chopped lettuce Vegetable trimmings or peels (chopped) Duck feed pellets or poultry starter pellets are another great option, and they can be purchased from farming or agricultural supply stores. Tips for Feeding Ducks If you do choose to feed ducks and waterfowl at local ponds, the best tactic is to visit rarely so the birds are not getting excess food that would be unhealthy for them or their environment. Other tips for feeding ducks include: Stop feeding if the birds appear uninterested or are leaving the food uneaten. Be wary of birds that approach closely and remember that they can still be aggressive. Dispose of all trash properly, including bags, twist ties and unsuitable scraps. Do not allow pets or children to chase or disturb the birds. Always check city ordinances that restrict or prohibit feeding ducks or waterfowl, and obey all local laws. Feeding ducks, geese and swans at local ponds and parks can be a controversial topic, but it can also be an enchanting wildlife experience. By knowing what to feed ducks as part of a nutritious and responsible diet, birders can enjoy this activity without inadvertently harming the birds. Tim ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mitch Brindley's midterm reminders, specifically regarding ICSA's environmental initiative have prompted this email. A few weeks back I witnessed college sailors at a weekend competition feeding ducks at the lake where racing was taking place. Although this might seem to be a harmless activity, the sailors were definitely harassing the ducks. The team's coach sat close by, concerned only that he not be "shat upon" by the ducks. It was an embarrassing scene to watch. Feeding ANY wild animal creates a multitude of problems, as explained below regarding ducks. Please consider this the next time you think the animals would enjoy your pretzels, nachos, crackers, etc.: Not only can bread (carbs) be fattening to ducks and make it harder for them to fly and otherwise evade predators, feeding ducks bread can also lead to other problems. * Duckling Malnutrition: In an area where ducks are regularly fed bread, ducklings will not receive adequate nutrition for proper growth and development. Furthermore, because ducks will naturally seek out an easy food source such as human handouts, ducklings will not learn to forage for natural foods as easily. * Overcrowding: Where an easy food source is abundant, ducks and other waterfowl will lay more eggs and the pond or lake will become overcrowded. This makes it more difficult for the birds to seek out healthier food sources and increases the likelihood of territorial aggression. * Pollution: When too much bread is offered to ducks, not all of it will be eaten. The soggy, uneaten bread is unsightly and rotting bread can create noxious odors as well as lead to greater algae growth that can clog natural waterways. This concentrates the pollution and can eventually eradicate fish and other life in the vicinity. * Diseases: Feeding ducks bread can increase the spread of diseases in two ways. First, a carbohydrate-rich diet leads to greater defecation, and bird feces easily harbor bacteria responsible for numerous diseases, including avian botulism. Second, moldy bread can cause aspergillosis, a fatal lung infection that can decimate entire duck and waterfowl flocks. * Pest Attraction: Rotting supplies of food leftover from sated ducks will attract other unwelcome pests such as rats, mice and insects. These pests can also harbor additional diseases that can be dangerous to humans. * Loss of Natural Behavior: When birds become accustomed to handouts, they lose their natural fear of humans and may become aggressive in order to get more food. Their loss of fear can also cause other dangers, such as a willingness to cross busy roads in order to reach picnickers and other likely sources of food. We are all fortunate to participate in a sport that allows us to enjoy the outdoors in spectacular fashion -- please be considerate of the impact your actions have on our environment. Jan Harley _____________________________________________ From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Mitch Brindley Sent: Saturday, October 22, 2011 12:27 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [ICSA] midterm college sailing reminders Hello College Sailors, It is time for a midterm update. We have had some great college racing despite some abnormal wind around the country with too much wind or not enough. Chicago Yacht Club is ramping up for the ICSA / LaserPerformance Singlehanded National Championships, and St. Francis Yacht Club and California Maritime Academy are prepared for the ICSA Match Race National Championship. If you are near Annapolis next Saturday (hint MAISA teams), please attend and US Sailing Annual Meeting at the Lowes Hotel Annapolis. There is a special open meeting from 8:30-9:30am with the US Sailing board of Directors for college sailors and coaches. This is an opportunity where College Sailors have the ear of US Sailing directly. Sailors interested in attending need to email Katie Ouellette, [email protected], to register. There will be no charge for active college sailors as long as you register with Katie in advance. We hope to see you there! Complete information about the US Sailing AGM can be found at http://about.ussailing.org/US_SAILING_Meetings.htm. For the most part teams have done a great job following our environmental initiative about single-use water bottles; however there are a few teams that need to be reminded. The ICSA environmental initiative can be found here: http://www.collegesailing.info/blog/news/icsa-announces-environmental-initia tive/ . Please spread the word to parents too. Your help with compliance is appreciated. As you start to gear up for colder sailing, please remember the ICSA sponsors, all linked from the www.collegesailing.org or www.collegesailing.info home page. Good luck on and off the water with the rest of the fall. Best regards, Mitch Mitch Brindley President, Intercollegiate Sailing Association ________________________________________________ icsa mailing list [email protected] http://www.collegesailing.org/mailman/?listname=icsa Unsubscribe: Send a blank email to [email protected]
