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?

You know the answer.

Not a vegetarian nor do i eat duck because i like them, the colour of duck meat isnt appealing either nor is the taste.
I say chase the Muppets chasing ducks.
Disstressing animals is Sickening and disturbing.
Oh....i do break if i see them on the road by a nearby park also 🙂

I don’t let my children frighten or chase animals for fun, no.

I'm not vegetarian but I never eat duck. However I do eat other types of meat, but wouldn't be impressed to find kids chasing the animals. It's not 'double think' at all, grow up.

I really don't think it's the end of the world. The ducks are free to fly elsewhere yet they often come back. I personally don't think the ducks are as distressed as the perfect mns mums like to believe. Ducks welfare is more affected by the inappropriate food people feed them.

Ps: my kids never saw it as a fun thing to do run after ducks.

It's sad that you even have to ask.

My 2 year old loves to chase birds at the park. Maybe I should stop him after this thread!?

Yeah, maybe!

Totally agree.
I bet those same people are fine if it is dogs chasing birds and squirrels.

No it's not OK to chase ducks. Or pigeons, or any other wildlife either.

No 'maybe' about it....is there?

If people won't stop their children doing this out of concern for the animals- please consider that when the pigeons take off in a big agitated flock they also tend to shit everywhere. Not pleasant for the people underneath

Indeed! Mumsnet though, where the little darlings are rarely told no

Karma

@ForGreyKoala don't be so rude. I don't need to grow up. Why don't you have a think about the farming practices of animals, and then about a few kids chases a few ducks. It is double think. Maybe you need to do a bit of logical reasoning.

No.

It's not okay, the other day I saw a toddler near some ducks and the parents were saying "run and say boo!" Tot starts running towards a lake (🤦🏻‍♀️) they realise that mistake and grab hold of him then they said "that's its and say boo!!" "Boo!" some birds fly away "That's it good boy!!"

WTF!!!! I was actually speechless!

Kids chasing animals is one of the only situations where I will step in as a stranger to tell them off.

Wildlife should be let be. Chasing ducks/pigeons isn't fair on the wildlife and when they all start flapping around it's unpleasant for people around as well. I probably wouldn't have said anything directly, but would likely remind my son loudly in front of them that you don't frighten the ducks.
We had an incident recently in Richmond Park; we were coming back from our walk with a 1year old and our dog and could see a stag about a few metres away from our parked car. We hung back, put our dog on a lead and were waiting for the stag to leave as we didn't want to stress the stag. A family then came up and started feeding it!! My husband went ahead and asked them to leave the stag as it is actually dangerous and they refused. Luckily a much more forceful cyclist stopped and gave them a bit of a tongue-lashing and they did clear away. Some people just aren't brought up to have respect for wildlife unfortunately.

For those who think it's okay to chase wildlife, please could you answer - Why is okay to scare a sentient creature? Do you have children? A dog? A cat? Can I come round and chase after them until their hearts are racing and they are terrified? How about your mum (or pick any other relative or friend you care about)? Are they fair game? I'll wear a mask and carry a machete just for fun too...

You may say that's just ridiculous and over the top and obviously not okay. But would your kids / relative understand I was just having a bit of fun and don't actually want to harm them if I appeared out of the blue and ran at them waving my machete? Same kind of terror for ducks and pigeons, they don't understand it's "just" a kid having fun, something 20 times their size is running at them. They have feelings just like humans do, just because they can't express their terror does not make it okay. At all.

No - only seagulls

No it’s not. I was in St James Park a few months back and two teen girls were chasing a goose, for ages. The mother was filming them laughing. When one threw her jumper at the poor goose I shouted over to stop doing that. They both stopped, the mother didn’t say anything but she was further back at that point. I hate it and I never let any of my 3 chase animals.

@Motomum23 but you don't need to eat meat. It's for enjoyment (or, some could argue, entertainment). You eat it because you like it. Kids chase ducks because they like it. Yes, it's stressful for ducks, but so to are farm animals when they go to slaughter.
By the way, I'm not saying everyone should be vegetarian. I just don't understand the argument that some animals are more important than others.

IMO it's not OK to deliberately frighten any animal or person unless that entity is threatening you.

For all those wildlife experts here, have you considered that maybe, only maybe, the ducks find it fun?

How do you explain they come back every time to that exact same place?