Leisure
Lough Lannagh Castlebar
By Johnny Oosten
10, Jun 2012 - 16:46

Why is Bread bad for the lake?

If you are going to feed the swans it is best to give seed or brown bread.

A lack of nutrients in white bread can leave the birds crippled with a condition similar to rickets in humans. Their limbs become so weak that the birds are unable to dive for food.

Leftover bread in the water can lead to poisonous blooms of blue-green-algae, posing another danger to the birds. I advise anyone who wishes to take down food to take along brown bread instead. Potatoes, bird seed and carrots are also a much better choice.

The bottom line is there are no nutrients in bread for swans or ducks, it simply fills their tummies!

There are currently people feeding the wildlife in massive quantity. If you cared for the swans and ducks you would not do this?

"Although ducks seem to love bread, it is not nutritious. White bread in particular is made from refined flour and is not proper for avian nutrition. Many ducks suffer from degenerative liver disease because they eat too much. Also, leftover bread and duck droppings pollute the water. The uneaten bread turns into a deadly mould, Aspergillus, which can be fatal to ducks, fish and other animals. Rotting bread can also breed other deadly diseases and parasites, particularly a duck virus Enteritis.

Feeding Swans and Ducks bread is like feeding your dogs chocolate.

I am no expert on wildlife but my attention was drawn to this matter and just like to share with you. Thank You.

You can join in the debate and share your observations regarding the impact of feeding the swans and ducks on Lough Lannagh by posting on the Castlebar.ie bulletin board in response to this thread.