We used to feed the ducks bread, but a few years back we learned that bread is not a great food for ducks. It is like junk food, they like it but it isn't healthy for them. My kids still like feeding the ducks so this summer we will make food (teaching kitchen skills too, bonus!).
Our favorite two spots are Alice Keck Park Memorial Gardens and Lake Los Carneros. At Alice Keck, just head down to the pond in any which way. (On a side note, did you know that the name of the woman who donated the land to the city actually Alice Keck Park which is why they needed to add Memorial Gardens.) At Lake Los Carneros, we take the paved path from La Patera and head down toward the water before the fence starts.
The recipe we make came from my older daughter's Girl Scout troop and is based on this one, created with input from a zookeeper.
Healthy Duck Food Recipe
Ingredients:
1 cup Brown Rice
Greens (I used broccoli, carrot and apple)
2 hard-boiled eggs (with shells)
2 tablespoons of wholemeal flour
Directions:
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
Cook the rice, according to the package instructions.
Finely chop the broccoli. Grate carrot and apple.
Smash eggs and ensure they are crushed and/or chopped well. The egg shells need to be very small.
Place all ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
Roll the mixture into small marble-sized balls and place onto an oven-proof tray.
Cook in the oven for 10-13 minutes.
The mixture should hold its shape but still be soft.
Want to know more about ducks and bread? Pop Sci or a goofy PSA video
Other duck food suggestions: Chopped lettuce, peas, cracked corn, oats, rice, bird seed, mealworms, earth worms, shelled and unflavored nuts or Quack Snacks/duck pellets. Generally things that float will get eaten more than ones that sink.
Ingredients:
1 cup Brown Rice
Greens (I used broccoli, carrot and apple)
2 hard-boiled eggs (with shells)
2 tablespoons of wholemeal flour
Directions:
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
Cook the rice, according to the package instructions.
Finely chop the broccoli. Grate carrot and apple.
Smash eggs and ensure they are crushed and/or chopped well. The egg shells need to be very small.
Place all ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
Roll the mixture into small marble-sized balls and place onto an oven-proof tray.
Cook in the oven for 10-13 minutes.
The mixture should hold its shape but still be soft.
Other duck food suggestions: Chopped lettuce, peas, cracked corn, oats, rice, bird seed, mealworms, earth worms, shelled and unflavored nuts or Quack Snacks/duck pellets. Generally things that float will get eaten more than ones that sink.
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| Lake Los Carneros |
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| Lake Los Carneros |
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| Alice Keck Park Memorial Gardens |
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| Alice Keck Park Memorial Gardens |
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| Alice Keck Park Memorial Gardens |
Related Posts: Lake Los Carneros and Kids World
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