Yes or no to bread? (2 Viewers)

[alanhill]

For many years I've observed a rule which says 'never give white bread to ducks' as it is harmful for their livers, and causes a fertility imbalance so that many more male offspring are produced.

Round here (Manchester, N.England) there does indeed seem to be a huge imbalance in the sexes of mallards, in some areas I would say around ten males for every female. This causes a great problem for the females who are constantly being pestered by the unwanted attention of all these males, who also fight over her among themselves.

I also observe most ducks in public spaces (eg ponds in parks) being fed white bread by the public.

But is there really a connection: white bread causes liver disease and breeding imbalance? Or is there another reason why there are so many more males to females? Any experts on this out there?

Alan Hill

 

[snapper]

Missed this one

Hi suzy sorry I missed this thread at the begining on the RSPB web site it states white & brown bread can be given to birds aslong as it is soaked with water first another idea of theres was to soak the bread in sunflower oil during the winter months this gives the birds a higher energy value when it's needed also the bread will not freeze I personally thought what a good idea.

Regards Snapper.

 

[Jos Stratford]

soak the bread in sunflower oil during the winter months ... the bread will not freeze ...

Depending of course where you live

Left bottle of oil in my kitchen too near the window this last winter and it semi-solidified as it began to freeze ...and that's inside!

 

[snapper]

Depending of course where you live

Left bottle of oil in my kitchen too near the window this last winter and it semi-solidified as it began to freeze ...and that's inside!

I can see your point Jos but there is no water in sunflower oil it would not freeze it would increase its viscosity making it waxy but the birds could still eat that by the way sorry its a bad habit of mine that I must correct of thinking every one is in England.

Regards Snapper.

 

[Mary Evelyn]

Hi suzy sorry I missed this thread at the begining on the RSPB web site it states white & brown bread can be given to birds aslong as it is soaked with water first another idea of theres was to soak the bread in sunflower oil during the winter months this gives the birds a higher energy value when it's needed also the bread will not freeze I personally thought what a good idea.

Regards Snapper.

Hi Snapper,
I am sure I read that during summer,bread should always be soaked in water.I think it is to do with the young but I may be wrong.
In winter the oil and fat give more energy as you said, it is to do with the nutritional value.Bread on the whole alone is not that nutritious for the birds although it really doesn't harm them either.In summer I soak with water and in the winter I soak in water with fat or oil.I think bread and milk would be good as my mum saved many a young birds life using this but I worry about it going sour.Also some of the birds round here really enjoy pecking the tops of the milk bottles to get at that lovely cream top. B

 

[oceans]

Interesting thread and a point I have found in bits of advice here and there.
Firstly always soak the bread in water and since white bread is indeed a waste of time I have the luxury of a breadmaker and so use wholemeal flower (organic) and I can add to this whatever I like. Wheatgerm, Spelt flour, Rye flour, Whole grains and seeds and my birds Love it along with bird seeds and insect mixes in the feeders, seeds on the ground and the fledglings have always got something there. But if the day is dry I go out with the watering can and dampen the bread regularly.

 

[Mary Evelyn]

On reading the RSPB it states milk can not be digested by the birds and I don't really understand that because of my previous post.
Oils and soft fats can get onto the birds coat and take away the waterproof and insulating qualities.
Sultanas and raisons should always be soaked too as they can kill young birds as they swell inside them,whilst soaked overnight, they can be fed to the young.

 

[cavan wood]

Ok, I just don't get it. Maybe I'm thick. But if raison or bread or whatever, absorbs water and swells once ingested, how does that actually cause a problem? The water that swells the food was already there. So how can the swelling be a problem? Other than the bread, there is no more in the system than was already there. Also, I agree that white bread is not very wholesome, but it still contains energy, which is what birds need, so is it "bad" for the birds? Is there a study or at least some anecdotal evidence that dry white bread causes problems? I'm not advocating that we all go out and start feeding white bread to birds, but I just can't reconcile with the notion that dry white bread (or raisons for that matter) causes any kind of problem. Why? How? Evidence? Please!

Scott

 

[oceans]

For me I think 'I' eat things that are good for me instead of simply filling so why not them. Also, wholegrains have a slow energy release so therefore more satisfying and more nutricious. Ever heard of the Glycemic Index?
The reason I soak the bread is the birds get to drink but also have you seen birds shaking bits of bread trying to tear a beakful off?!!! LOL!!!!! Not easy!
As for raisins.....hmmmmmm??? Dunno about that one.

 

[Mary Evelyn]

Ok, I just don't get it. Maybe I'm thick. But if raison or bread or whatever, absorbs water and swells once ingested, how does that actually cause a problem? The water that swells the food was already there. So how can the swelling be a problem? Other than the bread, there is no more in the system than was already there. Also, I agree that white bread is not very wholesome, but it still contains energy, which is what birds need, so is it "bad" for the birds? Is there a study or at least some anecdotal evidence that dry white bread causes problems? I'm not advocating that we all go out and start feeding white bread to birds, but I just can't reconcile with the notion that dry white bread (or raisons for that matter) causes any kind of problem. Why? How? Evidence? Please!

Scott

Hi Scott,
When dry bread is fed it can choke the young unless it is fine crumbs.(like peanuts, this time of year ,)
If sultanas and raisons are fed to the young they swell and the young bird can die.Soaked overnight they are a super food.I assume the young bird would not contain the amount of liquid in its tummy to do the job.E-mail the RSPB and ask them why??.
I soak all year round because dried bread can get so hard and like oceans said gives them liquid too.Also,I don't have to remind myself it's the breeding season and that the fledglings are in any danger.I also grind the nuts most of the year for that same reason.
I would think that the RSPB would know these things and as i said before do it for that reason.
Evidence,I just follow what the books and RSPB tell me.I think you should as i have already said e-mail the RSPB.

 

[humminbird]

Personally Scot, as long as I have ornithologists recommending against it, I am not going to feed bread in North America.

Mark
Bastrop, TX

 

[cavan wood]

Hi Scott,
When dry bread is fed it can choke the young unless it is fine crumbs.(like peanuts, this time of year ,)
If sultanas and raisons are fed to the young they swell and the young bird can die.Soaked overnight they are a super food.I assume the young bird would not contain the amount of liquid in its tummy to do the job.E-mail the RSPB and ask them why??.
I soak all year round because dried bread can get so hard and like oceans said gives them liquid too.Also,I don't have to remind myself it's the breeding season and that the fledglings are in any danger.I also grind the nuts most of the year for that same reason.
I would think that the RSPB would know these things and as i said before do it for that reason.
Evidence,I just follow what the books and RSPB tell me.I think you should as i have already said e-mail the RSPB.

Thanks Mary, thanks Mark. As I said before, I'm not suggesting anyone stop moistening or stop feeding or changing anything they do. I was just curious. For the record, I don't feed bread, or raisons, or peanuts. I did start feeding oranges to the orioles though, and that's fun.

Scott