Lonely Suzie

[Jeanie P]

My grandson - and therefore myself by default - are raising an orphaned mallard hen. She is 4 months old and seems lonely. Because of dangers from predators and well-meaning or ignorant neighborhood children we've given her a 12 x 24 foot enclosure with two small ponds, but she's worried a path along the one end of her fence. Any suggestions? Can we introduce her to other ducks her age to ease her loneliness?

 

[chickens really]

Definitely you can get her more Hens her age. She will be happy..

 

[TSOWOATNKC]

So was she an orphaned wild duck? Does your area have laws related to Mallard ownership? I know mine does. I have to pinion before a certain age and something else I don't recall (I never wanted to have Mallards because I definitely don't want to pinion).

She definitely needs a pal. Have you contacted any wildlife rehab places near you? They might have a buddy.

Edit, I just looked it up; mallard kept as pets have to be marked in a specific manner at a certain age to distinguish them from wild.