Feeding Ducks
(and other waterfowl)

Yes, these foods are safe for ducks:

• Dry oats
• Brown rice (cooked or dry)
• Small seeds
• Sweetcorn
• Peas (thawed)
• Berries
• Lettuce*
• Kale
• Dandelions
• Herbs like parsley, rosemary, oregano, and mint
• Fresh grass cuttings
• Slugs, snails, or mealworms
• Pet store duck food pellets

No, do not feed these to ducks
(entries in bold are toxic):

• Bread
• Crackers
• Crisps, chips, or any kind of 'junk food'
• Popcorn
• Breakfast Cereal
• Pastries etc.
• Citrus fruits
• Anything with a high water content (such as iceberg or head lettuce*, or celery)
• Dairy
• Duck meat or eggs
• Onions (and any related vegetables)
• Avocado
• Poppy seeds
• Dried beans
• Conkers (horse chestnuts)
• Chocolate
• Anything caffeinated, carbonated, alcoholic, fried, containing xylitol, or high in sugar or salt

For a more extensive list, see here.

Ducks swallow their food whole, so whatever you give them must be small enough not to pose a risk of choking. The food must always be unseasoned and untreated with any pesticides.

Why not bread?

Because it has very little nutritional value, and the ducks can easily fill up on it without getting any of the nutrients they need. It won't poison them, and it won't make them explode (that is a myth), so they can technically have it in moderation, but at a busy riverside, it's probably all they're getting, all day, every day. Imagine how you'd fare on just bread. So be the exception and give them something packed with goodness! Chances are they'll enjoy it more too.

If you've brought bread for the ducks today, I won't hold it against you! Now you know, and next time, you can come prepared.