The Swans versus the Food Bank?

Sharptonguedwoman · 04/01/2026 17:30

Glad you find it funny.🙄. Obviously people a priority assuming food is actually going to be used.

Snapandfart24 · 04/01/2026 16:32

SoapyDrama · 01/01/2026 21:48

Is it food bank and bread posts day?

I feel this deserves further recognition than the mere 'applause emoji'. I second this whole heartedly. Thank you for being the voice of the people!

Beeinalily · 04/01/2026 16:16

Swans need it more in this weather, I don't think anyone can't afford bread.

Bluedenimdoglover · 04/01/2026 16:11

Bread is no good for swans and ducks.

ColinOfficeTrolley · 04/01/2026 14:59

Sharptonguedwoman · 04/01/2026 14:19

Look up what happens when swans not fed.

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😂

Bumply · 04/01/2026 14:55

My local pond has a vending machine for duck/swan food.

The general advice is that white bread is unhealthy and can cause algae growth.

https://www.historicenvironment.scot/media/4868/holyrood-and-linllithgow-bird-feeding-guide.pdf

Sharptonguedwoman · 04/01/2026 14:19

ColinOfficeTrolley · 01/01/2026 21:50

Would rather have the bread go to people than swans, who shouldn't really have it in the first place. This is all a bit Alan partridge though. Reminds me of farmers feeding beefburgers to swans 😂😂 maybe AP is too ingrained into my life.

Look up what happens when swans not fed.

Sharptonguedwoman · 04/01/2026 14:17

TheCurious0range · 01/01/2026 21:47

I thought bread was bad for swans?

I think that when people stopped feeding the swans the swans suffered.
Animal Welfare: Starving swans 'can be fed bread' - BBC News

Swans that have starved to death have been found along the Thames.

Starving swans 'can be fed bread'

A Berkshire charity says that misinformation has confused the public.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-berkshire-46440809

Poppy123xyz · 04/01/2026 14:15

Bread has little nutirtional value and should not be fed to wildfowl. Peas, corn, grains etc. Plus water pollution and algae bloom. Let the people eat it, at least it's not going to the bin.

FFSToEverythingSince2020 · 04/01/2026 14:12

mazedasamarchhare · 04/01/2026 13:53

Well that photo is showing geese not swans.
Swans like meal worms, which is much better for them than bread. And while they are largely herbivores, they will take invertebrates, frogs and small fish, processed bread isn’t going to be particularly good for them. But various grains are fine, except you don’t want to attract rats to where wild fowl is feeding. So really it’s best to let nature get on with it, and not interfere.

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Uh, yes, the photo and article was about geese. Angel wing affects ducks, swans, and geese. So… here’s a photo of a swan with angel wing. Hope that covers it.

mazedasamarchhare · 04/01/2026 13:53

FFSToEverythingSince2020 · 01/01/2026 22:15

I mean, yes, it’s better than starving but no, it definitely is NOT good for them. Too much bread and they’ll develop angel wing deformity (have attached a photo - it may take a few minutes for approval) and be unable to fly. I saw it happen at a tourist spot where obviously the swans were fed a lot of bread. Better to feed them nuts, seeds, or apparently, lettuce (I didn’t know about the lettuce so maybe others don’t either). Perhaps they could feed their leftover or imperfect lettuce to the swans, as many food banks can’t take fresh veg anyway. Bread for people; leftover lettuce for swans.

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Well that photo is showing geese not swans.
Swans like meal worms, which is much better for them than bread. And while they are largely herbivores, they will take invertebrates, frogs and small fish, processed bread isn’t going to be particularly good for them. But various grains are fine, except you don’t want to attract rats to where wild fowl is feeding. So really it’s best to let nature get on with it, and not interfere.

YourHangryPlayer · 04/01/2026 13:53

I think u need to get outside more! U think feeding swans is more important than hungry children! I bet you have a bunch of cats at home!!

Thebookofcarolagain · 04/01/2026 13:43

PassingStranger · 01/01/2026 21:54

You dont get it. How do the swans survive on an occassional bit of bread.
These volunteers were feeding them regularly with donated bread.

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Feeding swans with bread can cause angel wing in developing cygnets. This leaves them unable to fly and at risk from predators. Often they need rescue organisational to take them in. There's no justification for feeding swans copious amounts of bread.

The self righteous tone of your posts "we are saving the swans" shit Is appalling. No you arent you are interfeering to make yourselves feel good. Swans live off the greenery in thier river/lake, they don't need bread!

Needmorelego · 04/01/2026 12:36

I used to live in Stratford Upon Avon where the swans would give you the filthiest look if you dared to offer them something as pleby as bread 😂

CeciliaMars · 04/01/2026 12:32

People first, swans second.

sickleaveornot · 04/01/2026 12:20

Don't all swans technically belong to the king? Maybe he should start feeding them 😂

TheKateColumbo · 04/01/2026 12:17

There are swans living on a pond in a field near my house. It would be difficult for anyone to get near them to feed them as the pond is completely surrounded by very marshy ground and huge reeds. There have been swans living happily there for decades in summer and winter.

JoyintheMorning · 04/01/2026 12:07

I have not seen a river or lake in England that did not have an abundant weed growth which is the natural food for Water Fowl. So why feed?

Elsvieta · 04/01/2026 11:57

Is there an issue with wild swans starving to death? I've never heard of it. Like all wild animals they're pretty good at finding what they need for themselves. And if people want to feed them, Pets At Home has big bags of wildfowl food for a fiver.

MyTealZebra · 04/01/2026 11:34

PassingStranger · 01/01/2026 21:46

A well known supermarket used to donate their leftover bread in our area for the volunteers to feed the swans with.
We have a team of volunteers who look after the swans.

They stopped donating the bread and said it had to go to the foodbank.

What do you think?

Vast amounts of bread isn't good for the swans i feed swans daily with peas corn lettuce and feed for then some bread is ok like the seaded bread but white bread just causes lots of algae in the water and this then causes bacteria that they then feed on and get sick we then have to rescue them so yes I think bread being given to food bank is a good idea if you want to feed the swans get seeded bread im sure if people speak to there supermarkets they will keep a loaf or 2 back if any left at the end of the day for you maybe ask if there is any lettuce or corn to respecting our wildfoul isn't a problem its knowing what is good for them research there needs , thank you for caring

HappyFace2025 · 04/01/2026 11:30

PassingStranger · 01/01/2026 21:52

As explained its not bad for them. It just isn't the most nutritional thing they can eat. Pellets are best.

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Near where I live is a pond frequented by swans. There are notices NOT to feed them unless with pellets. So yes the bread should go to a food bank. HTH!

MidnightMeltdown · 04/01/2026 11:26

Lockdownsceptic · 02/01/2026 23:22

Bread is bad for swans.

It’s bad for humans too

Seagoats · 04/01/2026 11:15

While I think i prefer swans to the majority of people. Leftover bread should go to humans. Put a post on your local fb pages asking for donations of seeds, veg, seeded bread etc. You will be surprised

Mimzy26 · 04/01/2026 11:10

Is this a joke people over swans any day

Rhodie72 · 04/01/2026 11:05

Unfortunately, bread isn't good for any water fowl. It causes huge problems with their wings making them unable to fly... And more susceptible to predators!
Better the bread goes to humans (the bread may not be nutritionally good for them, either, though).
Feeding swans/ducks, better to get the actual feed they need, easily available from rspb and other sites, not to mention the ubiquitous amazon!
You aren't being unreasonable, just it's not good for the birds. Sorry