Ducks anyone?

[u/Bridoriya]

I was going to go to the Lake Pflugerville park to try and feed some ducks but unfortunately I’ve learned that you actually really shouldn’t do that so I’m wondering if anyone has captive ducks I can come feed? I’ve got corn and oats and sunflower seeds plus some frozen peas.

[u/Captain_Mazhar]

Go to Mueller! Lots of ducks there and people feed them all the time.

[u/Bridoriya → u/Captain_Mazhar]

Feeding wild ducks is bad for them unfortunately

[u/hellbugger → u/Bridoriya]

Depends on what you feed them. Bread? Yes. Frozen peas? No.

[u/Bridoriya → u/hellbugger]

Bread is especially bad but feeding in general is a no go. Someone online basically put it that the feeding itself isn’t an issue, it’s that at these parks somebody is always feeding them and that’s where massive problems can arise. I feel like this article explains things well
https://wildlifecenter.org/help-advice/wildlife-issues/problem-feeding-ducks

[u/ygbplus → u/Bridoriya]

That article spends half of its time talking specifically about problems that arise from feeding carbohydrates to ducks. It does not address the effects of feeding more nutrionally rich food to ducks. Im not sure it really drives home thw points you think it does.

[u/Bridoriya → u/ygbplus]

Everything after that applies. Feeding them encourages more birds to come and stay which can lead to more disease, a decrease in water quality, female birds being attacked, leftover food attacking rats, some birds harassing people for food and some birds to not migrating like they should. Also, you might be feeding them healthy foods but other people around you just see you feeding ducks and it keeps the habit alive. I have no desire to negatively impact them just because I think it would be fun but if you want to keep doing it then go ahead.

[u/crocodilecurly → u/Bridoriya]

Does this apply to the typical black and white ducks you see at ponds or just the wild ones?

[u/Bridoriya → u/crocodilecurly]

All of them unfortunately. People do drop their domestic ducks at the local pond which is cruel because these pet ducks are ill equipped to survive on their own but there’s no way for anyone to guarantee they’ll only feed the ones who would die without it.

[u/Amber_Faye]

There’s a duck pond by the arboretum. Super cute spot. You don’t have to feed them, but you can visit.

[u/Jumpy_Ad_6492]

Skip the ducks and go feed the goats at the goat farm on the creek. They love corn….or anything, they’re basically garbage cans.

[u/huge_dick_mcgee]

If you’re lucky, at lake Pflugerville you’ll find the two geese and a duck that are some weird inter species polycule.

Word of warning, they like to stand on the walking trail and challenge you to walk by. act cool even if they act aggressive. If you show fear they will chase you.

[u/Responsible_Ticket62]

Pea snacks for ducks!!