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Original poster

The Swans versus the Food Bank?

111 replies

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?

OP posts:
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5foot5 · 02/01/2026 00:15

PassingStranger · 01/01/2026 21:58

If we want to see swans on the river and help them to live, they need regular food.

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There natural food is aquatic vegetation. They are wild animals, they should not be getting their main nutrition from bits of bread thrown to them by humans. If the place where they are living does not have enough natural food they should be moving to somewhere more suitable. Humans throwing bread are probably encouraging them to stay in an unsuitable place on a poor diet.

But apart from all that, I can't believe you think it better to give human food to swans rather than, you know, humans.

titchy · 01/01/2026 23:51

PassingStranger · 01/01/2026 23:47

Of course they need feeding by humans. They also need help by humans if they get trapped or injured.

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Why do you think they need feeding crap food by humans? They’re perfectly capable of feeding themselves nutritiously. Caring for injured ones yes, but they don’t need feeding.

I suspect any charity involved with swans knows you don’t feed them bread though….

Original poster
PassingStranger · 01/01/2026 23:51

PauliesWalnuts · 01/01/2026 22:00

Swans can get all they need from the riverbank. We’re not in the middle of a famine or drought. If humans feed them they will become too dependent and no longer wild.

Not in winter they cant. I prefer to believe people who work with them than you . Also this.

human feeding, especially in winter or harsh conditions, becomes a vital lifeline, supplementing scarce natural food and preventing starvation,

OP posts:
Original poster
PassingStranger · 01/01/2026 23:47

Applespearsandpeaches · 01/01/2026 22:35

Swans don’t need feeding by humans. They definitely don’t need large scale supermarket donations. They’re wild animals, they’re not particularly endangered and they can forage for themselves. Are you this concerned about the plight of other, actually endangered, wildlife or just the glamorous ones that you can have fun feeding?

Of course they need feeding by humans. They also need help by humans if they get trapped or injured.

OP posts:
Original poster
PassingStranger · 01/01/2026 23:45

ColdAsAWitches · 01/01/2026 22:27

Nonsense. Swans are not threatened in any way. They are increasing in numbers. They do not need to be artificially fed by us, particularly not with a low-nutrient, polluting substance like bread. You may be part of a group that feeds swans, but I'm sorry, you are not helping them . The supermarket is absolutely right to prioritize people.

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Im not part of the group. They do need people looking out for them.
They help them in all sorts of ways not just feeding.

OP posts:
Lilyhatesjaz · 01/01/2026 23:21

The river in my town is full of rats, largely caused by people feeding ducks and swans large quantities of food which they don't eat

TimeForTeaAndG · 01/01/2026 23:03

Don't they all belong to the crown? Maybe Charles could ensure some of his millions goes towards regular healthy food for the swans... Or, the humans.

Applespearsandpeaches · 01/01/2026 22:35

Swans don’t need feeding by humans. They definitely don’t need large scale supermarket donations. They’re wild animals, they’re not particularly endangered and they can forage for themselves. Are you this concerned about the plight of other, actually endangered, wildlife or just the glamorous ones that you can have fun feeding?

ColdAsAWitches · 01/01/2026 22:27

PassingStranger · 01/01/2026 21:58

If we want to see swans on the river and help them to live, they need regular food.

Show quote history

Nonsense. Swans are not threatened in any way. They are increasing in numbers. They do not need to be artificially fed by us, particularly not with a low-nutrient, polluting substance like bread. You may be part of a group that feeds swans, but I'm sorry, you are not helping them . The supermarket is absolutely right to prioritize people.

FFSToEverythingSince2020 · 01/01/2026 22:15

PassingStranger · 01/01/2026 21:50

No its not. It dosent have alot of nutritional value but its better than nothing.
Seeded bread is better.

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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.

The Swans versus the Food Bank?
Blasterplaster · 01/01/2026 22:14

People are always more important than animals. I’m always horrified that people think so little of their fellow humans. It’s grim.

JaneGrint · 01/01/2026 22:10

Our local park has signs all over the place telling people not to feed bread to the swans and ducks because it’s bad for them.

If volunteers are feeding the swans regularly then they really should be looking at getting appropriate food for the swans rather than bread.

Garroty · 01/01/2026 22:10

PassingStranger · 01/01/2026 21:58

If we want to see swans on the river and help them to live, they need regular food.

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People need regular food too. Swans are wild animals and native to this country, they can manage for themselves.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 01/01/2026 22:09

It would be something that a lot of people would donate towards in a proper, regulated fundraiser - because the leftover bread is needed for people, the swans need other sources of supplemental food.

Sounds a lot better than swans versus the food bank. And the money would enable the group to get more nutritious items.

BohoGarden · 01/01/2026 22:09

One of the reasons you're advised not to feed bread to wildfowl is that it pollutes the water and causes algae blooms. Bulk, regular supplies of bread for the swans probably wasn't doing them or their habitat any good.

Are you a charity OP? Could you put up a link so we can donate?

CatsAreCool222 · 01/01/2026 22:01

Fuck the swans, humans should get it

Needmorelego · 01/01/2026 22:01

Swans are wild animals. I'm sure they manage to feed themselves. They don't need bread.

Londonrach1 · 01/01/2026 22:01

Yabu. Better for the bread to feed people. People are really struggling at the moment to afford food. The pain of hunger is awful and I'm lucky at present not to feel it but been there and honestly I so glad bread is donated to people Rather than swans particularly as bread isn't good for swans to eat.

PGmicstand · 01/01/2026 22:01

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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Bread, as you say, is better than nothing but feeding bread regularly to waterfowl isn't good for them.
If they are to be fed weekly then it should be pellets.

PauliesWalnuts · 01/01/2026 22:00

Swans can get all they need from the riverbank. We’re not in the middle of a famine or drought. If humans feed them they will become too dependent and no longer wild.

ItsDarkNow · 01/01/2026 22:00

A bag of carrots is about 50p.

Original poster
PassingStranger · 01/01/2026 21:59

ItsDarkNow · 01/01/2026 21:58

Defrosted peas, sweetcorn, grains, carrots, cabbage are much healthier than bread.

Where would that come from in bulk though.

OP posts:
Original poster
PassingStranger · 01/01/2026 21:58

shhblackbag · 01/01/2026 21:56

If people want to feed swans regularly, they shouldn't rely on donated bread. I stand by that.

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If we want to see swans on the river and help them to live, they need regular food.

OP posts:
ItsDarkNow · 01/01/2026 21:58

Defrosted peas, sweetcorn, grains, carrots, cabbage are much healthier than bread.

shhblackbag · 01/01/2026 21:56

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.

Show quote history

If people want to feed swans regularly, they shouldn't rely on donated bread. I stand by that.