A successful campaign has led to a reduction in the amount of people feeding the ducks in Lincolnshire.
Many people still bring white bread to feed ducks in their local park, however, they are actually doing more harm than good as it is not healthy for them.
By exchanging the use of bread for healthier foods that are closer to a ducks diet, such as corn, peas and fruit, they will be healthier and the waterways are less polluted.
Stephen Harding, the communications manager of the East Midlands of the Canal and River Trust, said: “Too many ducks or waterfowl in one place can stress the birds and lead to their habitats being damaged.”
The ducks do not always finish the bread, leading it to rot in the water and clog the channels. “Uneaten soggy bread also causes a build-up of bad nutrients which can lead to greater algae growth and can spread disease and encourage pests such as rats,” Mr Harding said.
According to statistics collected by the UK Canal and River Trust, who oversee the East Midlands Waterways, there has been a 12% reduction in the amount of bread fed to the ducks, from 51% to 39%.
White bread has been largely stripped of its natural nutritious value and contains chemicals and sometimes bleaching agents, making it a more unhealthy option for humans as well as ducks.
A further issue found was that people are often approaching the same parks and waterways to feed ducks, meaning some are overfed and others underfed. By spreading out where the ducks are fed, they are more likely to move to different locations.
