A carbohydrate rich diet means ducks will defecate more often which is pretty unpleasant underfoot, and bird faeces harbour bacteria responsible for a number of diseases including avian botulism which can wipe out entire flocks of birds. Leftover bread will also attract vermin such as rats and mice that carry all sorts of nasty bacteria and parasites, some of which are dangerous to humans.

As ducks become used to being fed they will start to lose their natural fear of people and may become aggressive in order to get more food. Some waterfowl such as geese and swans can be quite dangerous when riled and have been known to attack children. Their lack of fear also means they may start to take risks to reach sources of food which makes them vulnerable to predators.

Although wild ducks and waterfowl will live longer, healthier lives eating natural food such as aquatic plants, grasses and insects, if you want to feed the ducks there are many alternatives that are much more suitable and safer than bread. Some of these include:

Grapes that have been deseeded and cut in half.

Cracked corn, oats and other grains.

Frozen peas or sweetcorn that have been defrosted.

And try to vary what you feed them, so they don’t become reliant on one single food type.

Alternatively you can buy duck and swan food that has been specially formulated for waterfowl. It even floats so the ducks can find it more easily!