Feeding bread to ducks is a common habit, but it does them more harm than good. Here is why bread is bad for ducks and what to offer instead.
Why bread is bad for ducks
Bread is essentially junk food for ducks. It fills them up without providing the protein, vitamins and minerals they need, so ducks that rely on bread can become malnourished. Uneaten bread rots in the water, encouraging algae and harmful bacteria that damage the pond and its wildlife. Feeding lots of bread can also draw too many ducks to one spot, spreading disease. For a fuller picture of a healthy duck diet, see what ducks eat.
What to feed ducks instead
There are plenty of healthy foods that ducks love. Good options include cracked corn, oats, rice, birdseed, chopped lettuce and other greens, peas and halved grapes. Offer these in small amounts so leftovers do not pollute the water. Scatter food at the water edge rather than dumping it in one pile. These treats are closer to a duck natural diet and far kinder than bread. Learn more at our water birds hub.