Going to the local duck pond with a bag of stale bread and feeding the ducks is a childhood memory for many of us. Ducks are cute. Ducks are fun. And feeding them results in lots of quacking and flapping. But, feeding them isn't good for their health.
Feeding the ducks can be fatal.

I received some great information yesterday from someone at liveducks.com. Their website has lots of wonderful information about duck care and a cool "duck cam."

Here's what they have to say about feeding ducks:

1. Feeding ducks attracts rats, pests and predators that kill ducks and endanger humans.

2. Rotting food pollutes the water and breeds deadly diseases and parasites. A single outbreak of Duck Virus Enteritis (caused by artificial feeding) kills all of the ducks. Uneaten food quickly forms a deadly mold called Aspergillus that is fatal to ducks without early diagnosis and expensive treatment. Avian Botulism (caused by artificial feeding) kills entire waterfowl populations and hospitalizes people.

3. Ducks defecate at the site of scattered food or bread and bacteria in their feces creates much higher risks for illness or disease.

4. Most waterfowl die-offs in the past 10 years have been attributed to artificial feeding.

5. Ducks that are overfed create dangerous amounts of waste that harm fish and upset the ecosystem.