Page 56 - BBC Wildlife Volume 36 #10

IT’S IN

YOUR HANDS

Bread is surprisingly bad for waterfowl when fed to them

in excess – but luckily there are lots of alternatives that

are good for both animals and the environment

FEEDING BREAD TO the ducks is a fond Bread can also cause harmful
pastime for many of us, reminiscent of changes to the natural ecosystem.
happy childhood trips to the local park. Rotting bread at the bottom of rivers
But did you know that bread actually and lakes allows bacteria to breed,
poses a danger to birds, as well as the spreading disease and attracting rats
environment? Eating it can cause our and other vermin to our waterways.
feathered friends to develop a condition It can result in algal blooms and the
called Angel Wing, which is when too presence of a mould called Aspergillus
much bread makes birds’ feathers grow too, which has the potential to kill
too quickly. This additional weight puts a waterfowl and other wildlife if it gets
strain on their muscles, causing their wings into their lungs.
to twist and drop open, and if not treated But this doesn’t mean we have
fast, they can lose the ability to fly. to stop fun trips to feed the ducks.
“Angel Wing can be remedied if we Giving birds the right food – like
reach birds before it has developed too frozen peas, sweetcorn and lettuce
severely,” says Caroline Simpson, a trustee leaves – is good for both them
of UK charity Swan Lifeline, which has and the environment. So, next
rescued and treated more than 30,000 time you visit your local park,
birds over the last 20 years. “Otherwise take a healthier alternative
the repercussions can be dire – such as with you and do your
amputation of the wing.” Adult swans can bit to protect our
also develop gut and heart disease, so it’s precious wildlife.
important we do our bit to prevent this by
feeding wild birds the right kind of food.

BE A SAFE PAIR OF HANDS
WildThings Swan & Duck Food has launched the ‘Better
than Bread’ campaign to highlight the risks of a calorific
diet to water birds. The campaign advises that there are
much healthier alternatives to bread, such as vegetables and
specially developed feeds. WildThings’ nutritious Swan & Duck
Food is a wholesome option that contains all the vitamins
and minerals wildfowl need and, alongside a balanced diet 10% off
of vegetables, helps to protect our wildlife and ecosystems.
WildThings Swan & Duck Food also floats on the water’s
surface, so birds can enjoy every last bit. Stock up for your your next purchase
next trip to the park with 10% off at Pets Corner stores. of WildThings Swan

& Duck Food at any
Pets Corner store

Valid until 30/09/18

To find out more, visit spikesworld.co.uk/betterthanbread

Customer Terms: This coupon may be used for 10% off your next purchase of WildThings Swan & Duck food at any Pets Corner store. Coupon must be presented at time of purchase, can
only be used once and must be surrendered upon use. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer, promotion or discount. Only original and undamaged coupons are accepted. Void
if altered or tampered with. Not available online. Valid until 30/09/2018.