Ducks Feeding

Feed the ducks the right way

Feeding ducks is a lovely way to enjoy nature and spend time with family. And the good news is - you can still do it, as long as you choose the right food.

 

What’s good to feed ducks?

Ducks love a varied diet, and there are lots of safe, healthy options you can bring along:

• Sweetcorn (tinned or frozen)
• Peas (tinned or frozen)
• Oats (dry porridge oats)
• Lentils
• Fruits and berries (no citrus)
• Lettuce and leafy greens
• Special wild duck food (available in pet shops or online)

A small handful is plenty - just scatter it on the ground or water’s edge and enjoy watching them tuck in.

 

Why bread isn’t the best choice

Bread might seem like a treat, but it doesn’t give ducks the nutrients they need. It’s low in protein, fibre, vitamins and minerals - and too much of it can make them sick or cause deformities.

Leftover bread also causes problems for the environment:

• It rots in the water, using up oxygen and encouraging algae and bacteria.
• It attracts pests like rats and gulls, which can spread disease.
• It encourages overcrowding, which stresses the ducks and makes illness more likely.

 

What do ducks eat in the wild?

Wild ducks are omnivores - they eat plants and animals, depending on the season. Their natural diet includes:

• Protein and fats from insects, slugs, snails, amphibians and small fish.
• Carbohydrates from seeds and grains, which give them energy and fibre.
• Vitamins and minerals from leafy plants and snail shells, especially important for egg-laying females.

They’re great foragers and will eat whatever they can find - but they still need a balanced diet to stay healthy.

 

What to avoid

Please don’t feed ducks:

• Bread (white or brown, including seeded)
• Biscuits
• Crackers

 

Thank you for helping protect our local wildlife. By choosing the right food, you’re keeping ducks healthy and our waterways clean - and that’s something to be proud of.

Gallery

• 
• 
• 

Last Updated: 22 October 2025