karlotta Posted January 10, 2011 Share Posted January 10, 2011 Have just watched Countryfile from yesterday and was surprised to see the RSPB nature reserve at Martin Mere feeding raw potatoes to the swans (and therefore all the other birds). I'd always assumed that raw potatoes were poisonous, but I guess they know what they are doing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyhenSG Posted January 10, 2011 Share Posted January 10, 2011 Likewise, I always thought raw potatoes were poisonous (esp the green bits) as they are part of the deadly nightshade family, and therefore a big no-no unless cooked. Perhaps they were baked potatoes?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Posted January 10, 2011 Share Posted January 10, 2011 We have an area full of swans and birds like the one in Country File, and there are always piles of potatoes there. Was also surprised when I figured out what they actually were and why a big truck came and dumped them, then saw some black swans eating them!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karlotta Posted January 10, 2011 Author Share Posted January 10, 2011 They were definitely raw, they came straight from the farm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted January 10, 2011 Share Posted January 10, 2011 Interesting, I just googled feeding raw potatoes to birds and everything I found said not to do it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jess1merlin Posted January 27, 2011 Share Posted January 27, 2011 I have seen potatoes being fed to the bewick swans at the WWT reserve at Slimbridge. They seem to enjoy them and there are people there monitoring them all the time so I presume they must be ok for them. Some have been recorded returning there every winter for 20 plus years so they seem to be doing well on their diet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
