Angel Wing
Eating bread in excess can cause nutrient and vitamin deficiencies which have been linked to the development of Angel Wing. This condition causes structural issues and strain on the muscles, causing their wings to twist and drop open. Angel Wing is an irreversible condition if not caught in the very early stages and has been more commonly associated with foods made from refined grains, such as white bread. Refined grains are those where the whole grain is finely ground and stripped of its bran and grain. During this process the elements that contain the fibre, vitamins and minerals are lost. In most cases of Angel Wing, excessive intake of carbohydrates, lack of Vitamin E and Magnesium have been present and this correlates with the lack of nutrition white bread provides.
Botulism
Sometimes, foods such as sandwiches, pizza and cakes are thrown into the waterways and an excess of protein sources found in these types of foods in the water can cause an illness called Botulism. This occurs when harmful bacteria grows on discarded food, especially in the warmer months. Botulism is fatal for swans unless they are found and treated within hours of collapse. The treatment is intensive and can take many months before recovery.
Contamination
Bread doesn’t remain accessible on the surface of the water, as it sinks very quickly. Sinking bread rots at the bottom of rivers and lakes, causing harmful changes to the natural ecosystem. It leads to algae growth, spreads disease and attracts pests such as rats to rivers. The algae can then bloom which is triggered by a release of high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus in the water. This is common where there are large flocks of birds with a main diet of bread, due to higher levels of faeces and urine present. The algae blooms also block out sunlight and oxygen. This can cause a detrimental effect on the natural water plants, which is the natural food that wildfowl forage for.
Aspergillus
Decomposing bread can also become a home for a mould called Aspergillus, which can get into the lungs of ducks and can prove fatal in some cases. Aspergillosis treatment requires long-term antifungal therapy, often required for a minimum of 8 weeks.
The future of
our wildlife
is in your
hands
Why can bread be bad?
Feeding bread to swans and ducks is a fond pastime for many of us, reminiscent of happy childhood trips to the local park. But did you know that there are healthier alternatives to bread which are much better for the birds and the environment?
Eating bread in excess can cause nutrient and vitamin deficiencies, and is linked more commonly to white bread than brown. Although fed to wildfowl for years, white bread these days is unhealthier than ever before. Made of highly-processed, simple carbohydrates, this is digested quickly without providing many nutrients. In addition, uneaten bread allows bacteria to breed and attracts rats and other vermin.
However, this doesn’t mean we have to stop our fun trips to the lake to feed the ducks. Giving birds the right food is good for both them and the environment. Plus, many can be found in your fridge or freezer, such as frozen peas, sweetcorn and lettuce leaves! So next time you go down to the pond, why not take a healthier alternative and do your bit to protect our wildlife.
Good or bad?
What do you think?
White bread
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Sweetcorn
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Frozen Peas
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Cakes
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Sandwiches
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Lettuce
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Main issues
Why excess bread can be harmful?
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How can you help?
There are lots of healthier alternatives that you can take down to your local lake, including sweetcorn, frozen peas and lettuce!
At WildThings we have specially developed our Swan & Duck Food to ensure a nutritious and wholesome alternative to bread, which:
Provides essential vitamins & minerals
Floats on the water's surface
Remains accessible to the birds for longer
An environmentally friendly alternative
Is very tasty!
Now you can do your bit by protecting our wildlife from the inside out.
Download our Better than Bread activity sheetDownload our Better than Bread colouring sheet
WildThings are working to protect our wildlife from the inside out. By feeding bread to swans & ducks, we are unknowingly harming their health and the surrounding environment. WildThings have developed a range of nutritious feeds that contain all the vitamins and minerals our wildfowl need, protecting the future of our wildlife and ecosystem for generations to come.
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