Is it ok for kids to chase ducks?

[QuackersQuestion]

Today at a family attraction, there were quite a lot of ducks, and a big lake. Lots of space for kids to run around.

Two primary age kids were chasing ducks around. The parent was loosely with them, could see what the kids were doing, and allowed the kids to continue to chase the ducks. Probably for about five minutes. No contact made with the ducks, just chasing right behind.

Another member of the public came into view, with their own family. And called out firmly but calmly to the two kids "Don't chase the ducks, that's wrong". This was the only person to comment out of quite a few passers by.

The kids ran away, the parent was shocked but said nothing, the commenting member of public kept walking. No great drama.

But it got me thinking. So my question is, is it bad for kids to chase ducks - YABU. Or is it ok for kids to chase ducks - YANBU. If you don't think it's ok, would you tell a kid who was chasing ducks, to stop?

Well, maybe the vegan argument isn't correct, and the truth is that people know deep down eating meat is wrong ? If they care so much about ducks being chased by children ?

Of course it's not ok.

(personally, I don't care if people eat birds or chase them)

It's the same with idiots letting their dogs run into flocks of birds. Happens on a nature reserve near us, on a big sandbanks where seabirds are resting. I'm a dog owner. People are so entitled and disconnected from nature. And we are part of nature.

pigeons are descendants of domesticated animals. They are well adapted to living alongside humans in urban areas with plenty of food/ resources

No. Not all pigeons have been domesticated. Plus these pigeons are not domesticated if they’re out and about in the wild. Woodpigeons which often turn up in urban environments are not the same as a city pigeon.

Just because an animal has been domesticated doesn’t mean it is okay to chase it. Hence why we don’t chase cats and dogs and we teach our children to treat them well.

And living in urban environments doesn’t mean ‘beating repeatedly chased by big creatures’.

You keep coming up with excuses as to why it’s acceptable to let your child do this so this conversation is pointless, but as I said to someone else, spend some time looking up avian nervous systems and the impact of repeated stresses. Being c based it a stress. Having it done repeatedly has long term impact on any wild bird.

I don’t want to derail the thread by discussing eating meat but there is a huge difference between killing for fun and killing for food.

People pay large amounts of money to hunt giraffes and lions etc, simply for fun.

Other people in the same country will hunt for food to survive but only kill what they will eat.

They are not the same.

so this conversation is pointless

ok , sure, we’ll have to agree to disagree that a small child clumsily running after a pigeon while they fly off is a terrible cruelty to animals.

On the other hand, In my view factory farming and slaughter houses are desperately cruel / stress-inducing to birds, but I know I’m generally in the minority on that view too!

I remember my son at 8 or 10 chasing pigeons. t's just a cute memory to me

It’s not fine especially at this time of year when there are juveniles around. Just five minutes but another kid will be along shortly to do the same and then some idiot with an off lead dog… so it goes on all day.

Again, not relevant to this discussion. It’s not an ‘but what about’ lots of things are unacceptable abuse. That doesn’t make this better. It’s not okay but you’ve decided it’s fine so you’ll keep doing it and teaching your kids it’s okay to treat animals badly.

You’ve ignored everything I’ve said and refuse to do any sort of research so I’m done discussing with you.

Have a nice day.

It's totally relevant

I’ve engaged with your points I just disagree with them 🤷🏼‍♀️. I don’t think it constitutes animal “abuse”. Nor do I think it makes any sense that the majority of mumsnet can carry on happily eating meat whilst being enraged about small children running after pigeons in the park

No it isn’t. Otherwise we can discuss all the different types of animal cruelty and wildlife issues, of which there are many.

Just because there are worse ways of treating animals doesn’t excuse this.

No, but if you eat birds you don't get to judge

The pigeons may fly off and then came straight back but that doesn't mean they are not distressed by the chasing. They are not the brightest birds are they? Ever seen the nests they make? We get them nesting in our garage and a tree in our garden and I am amazed that a couple of twigs is meant to be a nest.

The "slow and clumsy children" in this case were 7/8 years old so not slow and clumsy.

I am repeatedly telling my DC not to chase birds. So no, not ok.

My what a lovely person you are! Shit parent too.

Well thanks a lot

Anyone who says it's acceptable to chase ducks is a massive twat.

Park birds are used to it and frankly most of them are so overfed they need the exercise and practice for actual real predators. Obviously not ok if causing genuine distress but the birds my 3 year old gently chased came straight back to him for more seed!
Oh and I'm a vegan as well.

I don’t eat birds but I do drive a car and I wear clothes and I have a house and I use gas and electricity and I don’t eat only home grown food and so on and so on

If you start this you’ll be here forever.

Same! I had no idea people were so against it. I’d never really given it any thought until now.

@Wavescrashingonthebeach , what happens when your gently chasing three year old becomes a stomping around five year old . Teach them it’s cruel to chase birds .

The pigeons may fly off and then came straight back but that doesn't mean they are not distressed by the chasing. They are not the brightest birds are they?

So they are bright enough to be distressed by the chasing (because they fear/ perceive a risk) but not bright enough to perceive the chasing as a risk?