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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to feed the ducks?

48 replies

ImAGoofyGoober · 09/05/2018 16:58

We’ve been getting 2 feathery little visitors recently and I have been putting seeds out for them. DH thinks I am doing more harm than good as he thinks it’s making them lazy and they should be out finding their own food.
I can’t help it though! They are so cute when they come quacking at my window wanting their dinner. He’s drawn the line at making a duck house in the front garden Grin

So AIBU? Should I leave them to fend for themselves?

OP posts:
JenBarber · 09/05/2018 17:00

Awww, how nice!

Animals choose their owners. You've been adopted.

Two massive, fat pigeons have adopted me. You learn to love them.

windermerebell · 09/05/2018 17:01

Tell your DH he is a misery guts
My mum and dad have a duck who comes to lay by their pond every year

durry · 09/05/2018 17:02

We also have fat pigeons! They're huge. I love them.

I'm sure the MN duck police will be along soon to tell you off, OP, but if I were you I'd keep feeding them. 🦆

WorraLiberty · 09/05/2018 17:05

Is your DH a Mumsnetter?

He'll be suggesting the ducks need to cook from scratch, next.

YANBU. Get him to go and buy some more seeds for your feathery friends.

Els1e · 09/05/2018 17:05

They are not being lazy, they are being smart. Much nicer to call on someone who welcomes them rather fighting their own to get something to eat. I think a duck house would very reasonable thing to do.

mrsjoyfulprizeforraffiawork · 09/05/2018 17:06

About 25 fat pigeons have adopted me - it is a bit like that Hitchcock film (also 2 woodpigeons and a collar dove) - I get out of bed and they are leering through the kitchen window.

TERFragetteCity · 09/05/2018 17:06

We have a garden next to the canal and often have ducks visiting. We never feed them though. One of our neighbours puts seeds out for them in front of their house.

Original poster
ImAGoofyGoober · 09/05/2018 17:06

Ooh I’d love some fat pigeon visitors too!

I am a bit worried it will put them off finding food for themselves but don’t know enough about ducks to know if this is something that will happen or not? They are just too cute to resist

OP posts:
elQuintoConyo · 09/05/2018 17:07

You need to build them a duckhouse. And knit them little scarves for chilly days Grin

Original poster
ImAGoofyGoober · 09/05/2018 17:07

Also, are seeds ok to feed them? It’s just a wild bird mix I have but I have been looking at buying some proper duck pellets.

OP posts:
Dieu · 09/05/2018 17:08

I love ducks! Enjoy them while they're there, as chances are they'll move on anyway. I think you're lovely for feeding them!
The pigeons would totally freak me out though. Funny how I can love ducks, but not be a bird fan.

Original poster
ImAGoofyGoober · 09/05/2018 17:08

Dcat thinks I am v v v unreasonable! Grin

AIBU to feed the ducks?
OP posts:
RavenLG · 09/05/2018 17:10

As long as you're feeding a selection and not just bread. It's a lovely thing. We have some fat birds, pigeons and squirrels in our garden as I love feeding them too. We saw a heron a few days ago which was weird, then a few days later in the air but it was being chased by a crow. I love nature.

WorraLiberty · 09/05/2018 17:10

OK, I'm a bit worried about the cookery book there Grin

Dieu · 09/05/2018 17:12

Don't worry Worra, I don't think the OP will be digging out her recipe for duck à l'orange anytime soon Grin

ShowMeTheElf · 09/05/2018 17:13

Don't give them bread. They like defrosted frozen peas.
According to this link about duck diet seeds should be fine.

RuggerHug · 09/05/2018 17:23

Is he afraid of Tony Soprano style duck dreams if he becomes attached to them? 😁 YANBU

TemptressofWaikiki · 09/05/2018 17:30

Ducks have permanently moved in on my DM’s pond. First it was just a couple but then their mates turned up too. She also has hedgehogs bang dishes against the veranda doors if they are left empty and a cheeky squirrel rapping at her window. The ducks apparently really like different lettuce, corn and defrosted peas. When DM digs over her vegetable patch, they are there to eat the worms and slugs.

ErrolTheDragon · 09/05/2018 17:43

Do any other birds like peas? I'm trying to think of foods for ground feeding birds that my dog wouldn't eat (he loves the husked sunflower seeds I use in the feeders if I put those down).

I get lots of birds (inc fat pigeons and pheasants) but only once had a pair of ducks. Apart from eating, they had a nice paddle and wash in DDs sandpit which had been emptied for the winter but had filled with water. Mrs duck had a hurt leg; mr Drake seemed to be taking care of her, always letting her eat first.

mrsjoyfulprizeforraffiawork · 09/05/2018 17:44

As Temptress says - feed them lettuce, corn and defrosted peas BUT NEVER BREAD! I have an ongoing battle with the guardians of Epping Forest - all I want them to do is put up a sign saying "Don't feed the ducks (wildfowl) bread as it can make them very ill/die". Six months after my email of request (unanswered) an enormous notice went up next to the local lake (not any of the other ponds) with about 3-4 long paragraphs of smallish text and pretty pics of ducks alongside. Several lines down in paragraph 2 or 3 they did actually say it was better not to feed the ducks bread. The average visitor to this lake comes with dogs and children and no-one spends more than 30 seconds looking at this notice so I would be surprised if they ever get to that bit. Consequently, many people still feeding bread (and the rat population is increasing madly). I bet some bright young person in the office spent 3 months designing that notice and no-one had the commonsense to tell them to make it simple, concise and large and the public will read it.

NotARegularPenguin · 09/05/2018 17:47

We have two ducks in the gym car park and I take food with me for them! Which is even worse.

Leeds2 · 09/05/2018 17:50

I bet your DH won't be complaining when he is feasting on duck egg omelettes!
I think you should build them a duck house yourself.

ErrolTheDragon · 09/05/2018 17:57

I bet your DH won't be complaining when he is feasting on duck egg omelettes!
Shock

Bad taste joke, and illegal. www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/mallard/legal-status/

Original poster
ImAGoofyGoober · 09/05/2018 17:59

I must admit I was pretty ignorant about the bread thing until last year but have never done it again since I learned.
Right I will get some peas and sweetcorn ready for tomorrow’s dinner too. I’m tempted to dig some worms up too Blush

Do you think they would go in an old dog kennel? DH won’t build them a house and I am notoriously bad at diy!

OP posts:
Original poster
ImAGoofyGoober · 09/05/2018 18:01

I think they need names too if anyone wants to name them for me.

OP posts: