Domestic ducks and geese are frequently abandoned at parks and ponds after being raised as 'Easter ducks.' These domestic animals cannot fend for themselves and suffer from inappropriate food and predation.
Domestic duck and goose welfare at parks represents a widely distributed, persistent welfare problem. The cultural practice of feeding bread to park ducks is so ingrained that changing it requires both education about harm and provision of appropriate alternatives. Domestic ducks and geese at parks suffer from nutritional deficiency causing developmental deformities, from disease that spreads rapidly in crowded conditions, and from exposure to dogs and other predators from which they cannot flee. The animals responsible for this welfare problem are the original owners who raised cute ducklings and then abandoned them when they grew into large, demanding adult birds. Pre-sale counseling about adult duck and goose needs is the most upstream welfare intervention.