Thursday October 1, 2009, 9:06 am
This article was submitted to and published by National Wildlife Humane Society (NWHS) News by our own Care2 member (and member of NWHS) Rachel H. This article is also going to be the Lead News Story in this Saturday's NWHS Member Newsletter, along with some other very cool content.

Please check out Rachel's news article, and pass this on to friends.

Want to see the NWHS Newsletter for this and other stories? Easy, simply join NWHS.
Join National Wildlife Humane Society

Thursday October 1, 2009, 9:40 am
I might also add, that if you have joined NWHS, and are involved in wildlife in some way, please feel free to submit a story and photo (if applicable) for consideration of publishing as NWHS News. The NWHS info email address is at the bottom of every NWHS Newsletter.

Thursday October 1, 2009, 9:43 am
Thanks Cat, very interesting, espcially for "bird" people :-) WE get a tweisted feather now and then and pull it out, but have never had a twesited wing TG. Ahhhh poor Angel.
WE feed a special pellet diet.
xx

Thursday October 1, 2009, 9:58 am
Quite right Mandi. There are some commercial feeds for wild waterfowl. There are also some excellent recipes for home prepped duck and goose feed (keep under 16% protein). The important thing is not to feed them junk.

As Rachel points out, it's not a good idea to feed migratory waterfowl. It will take them out of migration if people are feeding them junk (bread, popcorn, crackers, potato chips, etc) as they might lose the ability to fly and get stuck there. There are some local waterfowl, domestic and injureds, who will never be able to migrate so people feeding them should feed responsibly.

Adversely, feeding these birds a natural wholesome feed, may enable some of those who do suffer from the bad effects of junk food, to recuperate sufficiently enough to fly again and possibly rejoin migrating flocks.

Kudos to Rachel for assisting these birds in her area, and providing education to help them in many other places. People ask what one person can do,,,, observe Rachel's efforts.

Thursday October 1, 2009, 10:00 am
I meant "alternatively" not adversely,, LOL. There is nothing adverse about replacing bread with proper nutrition.

Thursday October 1, 2009, 10:11 am
Wow I never knew that thanks for posting good to know so don't contribute to this problem

Thursday October 1, 2009, 10:13 am
This is interesting I have had 3 ducks and one goose and never saw this before. Maybe it was because their treats were always fruits and veggies? They ate worms and slugs and duck food too!
Thanks Patrick

Thursday October 1, 2009, 10:50 am
Rachel does a good job explaining why bread and other pure starch junk food hurts the waterfowl. It's well meaning people who feed them at recreation areas, parks and such, that does them harm. If they fed like Tierney describes they would benefit the wildlife. They just need educating, and that's the purpose of what Rachel is doing, and why it gets published through NWHS.

Thursday October 1, 2009, 12:44 pm
noted very interesting

Thursday October 1, 2009, 1:15 pm
Thanks

Thursday October 1, 2009, 10:37 pm
Rachael's post is right on the money. You really should feed water fowl to interupt their migratory habits. She listed very important facts for people that stand on the banks and feed "white" UGH bread and junk to the geese.
Tks for posting this important message Cat!

Thursday October 1, 2009, 10:38 pm
Mean--SHOULD NOT feed grr. Got some bad news today about my pup.

Thursday October 1, 2009, 11:23 pm
I had never seen this before. We fed the ducks (at the local park/pond) bread one time and a very kind couple stopped to explain the hazards of it to us. Now we buy the right feed for the wild birds that come to our yard.

As dry as it is here in the desert, we don't get many ducks and geese, but every once in a while we'll see a pair of ducks in the neighborhood after a couple of days of rain (rain here isn't like rain in Indiana where we came from, it's usually light and short) even though that's not much rain really. It always startles me a little to see ducks in our neighbor's yards (ours is desert landscaping, and they prefer the grass next door, naturally). Anyway, it's nice to know more about them! Thanks!

Friday October 2, 2009, 3:35 am
I never knew about this. Thanks for this informative post Patrick.

Friday October 2, 2009, 8:17 am
Thanks all, but it is Rachel's news article, I only published it. She works daily with these waterfowl, and took the photo you see, showing the "angel wing" condition.

Friday October 2, 2009, 5:06 pm
I have been feeding ducks and geese bread of all types all my life. I had no idea it was more harmful then helpful to them... I will now stop giving them bread. I always have bird seeds or some type of feeding seeds around, so I'll make note to grab a bag the next time we go to the hiking park and feed the ducks on the walk back.

Thanks very much for posting this news story, I'll make sure I go to the link posted in the first post.

Friday October 2, 2009, 5:30 pm
I am so grateful that so many have read this article. I am thrilled that the word is getting out on the proper nutrition. I fell in love with a goose that was injured and after a crash course I began the process of taking care of these dear pekins and a muscovie who were dumped in a creek. That is illegal by the way. It's like abandoning dogs and cats. Anyway thank you all for reading this and taking action.

Friday October 2, 2009, 5:57 pm
i never saw this before thanks

Friday October 2, 2009, 6:07 pm
Neither have I mary...

Big gorilly Hugs

Friday October 2, 2009, 6:32 pm
Please may I mention NO seeds. Ducks and geese LOVE cracked corn. And a pellet feed with their particular nutrition requirements is a perfect food (emphasis no more than 16% protein). They do love greens. Cracked corn is so reasonably priced. I give it for dessert lol. But a good pellet feed given to hungry ducks and geese helps me sleep at night. *smile*

Friday October 2, 2009, 6:35 pm
Oh goodness yes they do....LOL I would bring out the corn and holy moly I would get bombared by all our ducks and geese to which they would end up tripping you up and down ya went and that was all she wrote...duck feet..beaks..hineys all on top of you...such fond memeories...lol

Big Goirlly Hugs

Friday October 2, 2009, 7:02 pm
LOL yeah they do love the cracked corn just laughing. It's like ice cream or candy and it is good nourishment! Gorilly Girl you made me laugh and smile tonight!

Saturday October 3, 2009, 11:00 am
Thanks for the lead, Rachel!

Saturday October 3, 2009, 7:26 pm
Today people were feeding FRENCH FRIES to the waterfowl! Why? French fries are bad for humans! Why would they do this? I bagged up a huge bad of duck food and gave it to them. With an explanation of course! Honestly! What do people think? Totally confused!

Monday October 5, 2009, 7:33 pm
I kinda like french fries, but they don't like me. I have diabetes.
Probably from eating too many french fries all my life ... Just sayin'

Tuesday October 6, 2009, 8:47 am
Good news. Angel and her mate have a home. Angel will have his wings tied back and may heal completely and will be given careful nourishment. I think he will be okay! Big Smiles! Yay!