When to start feeding pond fish?

[MamaPizza]

As the title says, can I slowly start seeing my pond goldies again? I've seen three of them up more and more in recent days, so I think they are starting to get active again.

[EauRouge]

The general rule is when it gets above 10 degrees. If they're looking more active then I'd chuck them a little bit and see what happens. If it stays this warm then they'll probably start getting frisky soon.

[MamaPizza]

Thanks Eau. I am just worried that it might get cold again late March / April as it did last year, but I suppose I can't wait forever.

Have fed them today and pleased to say that all survived the winter and three frogs have moved in with them too! Really happy, they are doing well and seemed to enjoy their first (small) meal after a long break. Can't wait to stock more this summer, only got a handful last year to get it started.

[EauRouge]

I know what you mean, I've been planting in the garden and wonder if I'm being overly optimistic! They'll be fine if it's only cold for a couple of days.

The reason you're not meant to feed them over winter is that their metabolism slows right down over a long period of cold weather, sort of like hibernation. If they eat then the food ends up rotting in their digestive system. It is good to be wary about feeding them too soon but it's almost mid-March already so probably no need to worry (unless you're in Scotland?). The forecast for the rest of this week at least all looks very mild for me in E Anglia.

Just start with small amounts and then when they're getting more active you can feed more food and more often.

[MamaPizza]

Not in Scotland, in the Midlands. Another warmish day, but I won't feed them today. Will take it slowly, every couple of days to get their digestion used to it again. Fingers crossed it doesn't freeze again, or if for not too long.