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?

don’t use big words you don’t understand

there you go again: just nasty.
I didn’t lie about anything at all, you are acting completely bizarre.

i never said I didn’t have children, i said I didn’t say anything about my children.

Anyway, can you stop being personal and nasty please?

ok So my cat is scared of my bothers dog. When dog comes to visit cat hides upstairs. Even though this is her home, and downstairs is where her food is . She waits upstairs until the dog leaves. See how that works ? A pigeon’s “home” and expanse over which it can gather food is much larger than my cat’s house. A small child might be roaming over a few sq metres for a v short period of time . And yet the well fed pigeon is repeatedly comes back to hang out in the direct vicinity of said small child. I don’t think it’s terrified for its life. Sorry I just don’t

🤦🏼‍♀️

shes still in her home.
Shes got a predator brain not prey brain so reacts differently
The child is a fleeting visitor in their home, as are the hands that feed them so they have to manage protecting themselves from harm whilst also getting as many calories as possible.

It’s cruel
that are not kids playthings

No, you said one thing and then when I disagreed with you, you said you had said something else entirely. Which was a lie. When I pointed that out and disagreed with you again, you said it was very clear. But it wasn't, because you said two entirely different things. Both perfectly clear, but both clearly different!

To quote you AGAIN, just to help you out as you seem to have forgotten what you said.

You first said:
"I think people on here are underestimating pigeons - thinking that they’re too stupid not to just fly a short distance (literally metres) off , if a small child is frightening or particularly bothering them"

then you said that what you had actually said was:
"I’m saying , if the birds were genuinely scared / distressed they would fly off and not come back."

Which you clearly did not and they are clearly two entirely different things. Either they will fly a couple of metres away or they will fly off and not come back.

If, as you state, the pigeon moves (whatever distance you choose, a few metres or forever) because it finds a small child frightening, you are acknowledging that the bird is doing so because it is scared. So you are knowingly happy for a child to chase pigeons which, since you acknowledge yourself they are frightening, is cruel and abusive.

I am a wildlife biologist who has spent 20 years studying animal behaviour and cognition. Wild birds feel fear and pain, it is not OK to allow a child to chase them.

I think wild animals are distressed by being chased but even if they weren't, I also think it would be a terrible lesson to teach a child that you should run at wild animals. They should be left alone to live their lives (and I don't agree with hand-feeding them either).

Farming them for food is a separate issue. None of the children chasing the birds were doing it because they were hungry. Humans eat meat. We have a responsibility towards them to make their lives (and deaths) as comfortable as possible.

Exactly I think if you can instill empathy at a young age they've a better chance of growing up to be a well rounded individual.

No, of course it's not okay.
A while back, I reprimanded a boy for chasing pigeons. As we walked away, my child advised me that the boy was in her class. The mother subsequently gave me evil looks at the school gate, but no fucks given, as I don't think it's okay for anyone to intentionally stress out birds or animals.

That is never ok (to chase ducks, I mean. Or pigeons/any other wildlife, for that matter).

Wow that's such a nasty judgemental thing to say 😳

I have thought about it. I just disagree with you. I’m not going to sit by happily while gulls peck through bags to get picnic food and I’m not going to not picnic in our garden & in the local parks.

I have no issue with them chasing away pests and think it’s a pragmatic solution to dealing with them so that’s what I’ll teach my kids. We also scare away cats who go to shit in the garden with sonic devices and by spraying them with water because again they are a nuisance.

*ncforcatquestion · Yesterday 17:31
I feel sad for all the little kids being told they can't run into a flock of birds, and that's wrong, that's cruel. How ridiculous

I think it's a perfect opportunity to teach kindness. Explain how frightening it is for something bigger than you coming chasing after you and they wouldn't ikea it if it happened to them.

No child is being treated cruelly by not being allowed to treat an animal cruelly.

It’s absolutely not ok to let children chase any animals- ducks, birds, anything.

Unfortunately there are an increasing number of parents out there who refuse to put any boundaries in place for their children. They’ll probably argue they have SEN and can’t be told not to do something.

As a previous duck mummy it's not right to chase ducks..you cause stress.

Horrified at the 10% who think it's OK to chase ducks.

And the daft, ignorant posters who say "But the ducks come back, so what's the problem?"

They have their homes and nests in a particular place, you numpties! Leave creatures alone and chase each other if that's how you get your fun. Teach your children to RESPECT animals, particularly wild ones. They are not pets and they are not toys.

Jeez! I thought this level of ignorance was a thing of the past.

No.

Sadly I voted that it's okay (when it truly isn't) as I found OP's question to be worded in a really tricky way and didn't quite understand what each option meant. I won't be alone in that.

It's not just about chasing ducks, it's about teaching them respect for other animals. My children have never chased ducks. I've seen children stomping on bees to kill them at a playground, no parents to be seen and I did tell them off!

Causing animals to be frightened for your own amusement is always wrong.

You can change your vote just be clicking on the other option. 🙂

Just a plea from an oldie...

In this age of personal screens and less whole-family viewing, please, please encourage your children to watch wildlife films and documentaries - together if possible. I grew up watching David Attenborough and others, but I'm guessing that nowadays families are not doing so much of this and children are missing out on learning about wild animals and the world in general.

Springwatch or Chris Packham - anything like that will teach them about the natural world and hopefully lead them to be curious, kind and understanding of the needs of the animals who share our world.

It's not ok to chase ducks. I'd have told the kids chasing them to stop too. I've also told kids to stop harassing a swan. They seemed completely oblivious that it could easily have broken their arm if they'd carried on!