Re: Information on wild ducklings please

Mary Fisher wrote:
"JennyC" <Jenny.squirrel@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:5fh8nuF3d2jb4U1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Broadback" <wen@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:5fh3qcF3c8bhhU1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Having posted this on UK Birdwatching and not getting much response I thought that I would try here. Mind I think by being too clever and heading the question "S.O.D help please" (Save Our Ducks) may have put peeps off reading it.
So, I have about a 1/2 acre garden surrounded by rabbit proof fencing, in which I have a pond about 6x4 metres and 1 metre deep, around which I have allowed a little wild garden. There is a pool just outside my garden. A wild duck has recently hatched out nine chicks on the edge of my pond, great. While sitting she was able to fly out of the garden for feed, I assume. Now of course because the chicks are trapped so is she. Will they do ok within this area (the rest is mainly cropped lawn) or do they need more food? How long will it be before they can fly? I do not want to permanently breech the fence or the rabbits will eat my plants. If I let them out in the morning will they return well before dusk? What should I do owt or nowt? TIA
Phew - tricky one !!
I would imagine they might need some assistance with extra food......

A quick Google brought these up, which might be useful:
http://www.phelpswaterfowl.com/Duckling_Care.htm (ducklings in captivity)
http://www.callducks.net/feeding_ducklings.htm

I also found several recipes for "duck a la orange"..........but that's maybe a bit premature "~)
Jenny

A local school had the same delightful problem. It was resolved when the ducklings flew off with Mum but I don't know how old they were. A duck they THINK it's the same one) comes back to the spot every year to rear her brood in safety. Make the most of it!

Mary





Wash your mouth out Jenny!

Since posting this the duck and ducklings have disappeared. No sign that the ducklings have been eaten, yet I'm blessed if I can work out how they got out. Ducks can't carry their young like cats can they? Oh dear, I hope this does not develop into a cat thread! ;-)
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: OT - BH
    ... The ducks aren't wonderful at that either, ducklings just do their best to ... Canterbury one day when a duck wandered down the road followed by her ... a hole in a horse chestnut tree beside the pond. ...
    (uk.media.radio.archers)
  • Re: Marks Man
    ... I pulled over and watched a while as she made an occasional attempt to cross and then turned back. ... I also found in a traffic island in a five way intersection in Park Ridge, Illinois a duck with a brood of 4 that had nested in the traffic island. ... Reminds me of the children's book "Make Way for the Ducklings", where a Boston cop stops traffic so mama duck and the ducklings can cross to the Public Gardens. ... He kept them waiting for the light to turn green, then had trouble getting them to start moving. ...
    (rec.humor.jewish)
  • Re: Information on wild ducklings please
    ... which I have a pond about 6x4 metres and 1 metre deep, ... Now of course because the chicks are trapped so is she. ... ducklings flew off with Mum but I don't know how old they were. ... A duck they ...
    (uk.rec.gardening)
  • Sick Duckling Knocking on Deaths Door!!!
    ... I am all new to the country life, but we bought ... geese, 2 ducklings, and 1 sweeney duck male,,, My female sweeney got ... duck, but everyone was baffled and even the vet wouldn't see the duck ... water incase she is plugged up. ...
    (sci.agriculture.poultry)
  • Re: Non swimming ducks
    ... A friend suggested that because they had a Mom, these ducklings were ... snuggling in amongst her oily feathers. ... Have you not noticed how they just sit on top of the water. ... She usually buys ducklings, since it's too difficult keeping the mother duck ...
    (sci.agriculture.poultry)
Loading