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?

So causing distress to animals is ok sometimes

I don’t think there’s a humane way to raise and kill animals. Agree to disagree 🤷‍♀️

Eh?

I can’t believe parents who think it’s fine for a child to chase animals at all.

Of course it’s not okay, it’s never okay. And if an animal turns on that child and bites then it’ll be the animals fault.

Check yourself OP, never okay to chase any animals.

The geese at work were Canadian and actually quite timid but massive poopers. I think they’d come at dusk / dawn normally. Never had an issue chasing off seagulls but Im sure plenty of people have thought wtf as child launches themselves out of seat and runs around picnic table shouting and madly flapping arms.

Its enough to scatter them for a minute and then they creep closer. They are sneaky though one scared my daughter into dropping her fish and chips. So I stupidly re wrapped mines and put it on a low wall next to us then as I picked up hers to put in bin so as not to encourage the birds. It took seconds but they’d ripped it open and made off with my dinner.

I was gutted.

No it's not ok to chase animals around causing them distress. What mean kids. I'd have said something to the parents if I was there.

A listened to a talk by a hill expert and he said eat under cover or by a wall. They don’t like smaller spaces, so get your ice cream and sit by a wall.

Never had to chase a gull or shoo one.

But also most gulls are struggling to survive and populations are dropping massively because we have stolen all their food and destroyed their habitats, hence why they come into urban areas to try and eat. It’s because they’re grungy after we stole their food sources. Recent research showed they prefer to eat fish and seafood over urban crap, so it’s not like this is even what they want, they have no choice because they’re dying out.

So I get it. They’re just trying to survive. And I don’t begrudge them that and would never harm or chase one either.

I bet you would eat them though. I wouldn't, and as if I would get away with saying your poor children being raised with no moral compass eating animals

We don't scare or hurt animals, or people, for fun. It's simple.

I hate seeing this and would have told the little bastards to stop. I've always taught DS to be kind to animals (we're all vegetarian, in response to a previous comment, so it's pretty easy!).

I told a couple of older kids to stop chasing a peacock just the other day whilst their useless parents waddled behind, completely oblivious. DS was with me and I think it's important for him to see adults step in and advocate for animals.

Yes, it's fine. The ducks wouldn't come back if they were actually bothered.

Can we all get together and chase you and see if you like it? Would you pack up and move house if we did?

The ducks live there. They may even have had their wings clipped so they can’t fly away.

If they’re running away then of course they don’t like it, it’s a sign they’re scared.

Jeez.

No.

Gah voted wrong! No please don’t let children chase ducks or anything else! It’s really shit to allow this

Well having looked after ducks and chickens, I can honestly say that they're not as bothered about you or children as Disney has led you to believe 😂

Having worked with animals for decades in public and private domains, including wildfowl, yes they are.

You know nothing about animals if this is your stance. It’s extremely concerning that you would tell someone it’s okay to chase any wildlife, even if they’re privately owned.

Maybe you need to go and learn about animal nervous systems and the various reactions they can have. You clearly don’t understand them whatsoever.

I strongly disagree with you. I think you need to get a grip to be honest.

I think you need to be kept away from animals. You clearly have zero understanding of them if you advocate for chasing them.

Good job it's not up to you then isn't it. Anyway, I'd best get back to my ducks and chickens 😂

Looked after in a “mob” way presumably!

it’s not ok for them to expend valuable energy
it’s not ok to be scared by a predator
more so when that predator is doing it just for fun.

So you let the public in to your private space and chase your wildfowl do you? That would be okay, if I broke into yours and chased your animals? You’d laugh and tell me to carry on because it’s fine?

Or, do you have limited experience and find that your own animals are comfortable with you and your behaviour? Could it possibly be, that the two things are entirely different?

@Mrsdyna your attitude is incomprehensible especially as you currently own chickens and ducks. You'd let visitors and their children chase them round as much as they like, for their own entertainment? Weird and disturbing attitude. I speak as someone who has owned chickens and ducks.

Lots of space for the kids to run around - also lots of space for the ducks? Where there's plenty of space, I tend to think that the ducks or pigeons could choose to go where the kids aren't, much as they choose to go where there are no cars chasing them.

Obviously if kids are trying to hurt them, that's not on, but if it's small kids just chasing, I'm not convinced the birds are traumatised.

I wish the neighbourhood cats were traumatised when I chase them out of the garden.

I don’t believe she owns them at all. I’ve never met anyone who owns such creatures who would advocate for this. Not unless they are an extremely poor owner who is the sort of person who also thinks it’s okay to hit a dog.

I’ve worked with such animals for decades, no one would ever say it’s okay. I think she’s lying for sure. Or an extremely bad owner.

You can all rant as much as you want. No I don't think it's a big deal for little kids to chase birds for a bit.

Bring on the hyperbole, emotive language, insults and strawman arguments.