Abandoned Ducklings in Pond!

[Averyb4Brooke]

Poor babies. Hate when people get impulse ducklings just to dump them where they often die. With the internet and Google, all it tales is a quick search to know you shouldn't do this. They could have at least rehomed them if they couldn't care for them.
But props to you for young to rescue they babies!

Can you set out some food for them? Try to get them to eat something so they know it tastes good, then set in in a pen or cage and close it on them. Do you have any sort of dog crate or pen? Those work well.
It would be best to catch them both at the same time, so you don't scare the other off once you catch one.

Would the net not work for catching them though? If you can't use anything else that may be your best bet, assuming its long enough and the holes wernt too big.

I know, it makes me so upset. You would think it would be common sense to not abandon babies, but I guess not. I only have one trap, so I am using that as a last resort. As far as the net, it has a short handle so it is very difficult to get close enough to actually use it.

Do you have a Walmart nearby so you could buy one of these? https://www.walmart.com/ip/Wakeman-...-Resistant-Handle-With-Carry-Bag-83/902919616

I do! That is a great idea, I might go and buy one of those. Thank you!

 

[KaleIAm]

That's my next step! I don't have any duck food available right now (just chicken feed lol!), so I will probably try fruit. I also have mealworms, but I can't remember if that is safe to give them?

Quick update on the people who abandoned them: They drove by to see what we were doing, then went back home and sent their kids to keep an eye on us.

I give my ducks mealworms everyday - they love them. Also, while I wouldn't want to feed chicken food to ducklings long term I think for a rescue mission it is absolutely appropriate.

 

[EverythingDucks]

Also, I see you're new here. Welcome to BackYard Chickens! Glad you joined. Everyone here is very kind and helpful.

Try luring them in with mealworms, and scooping them up with the net. You'll have to be quick, or they'll try to escape. It would be best if you could somehow coner them, but that may be tricky by a pond.
Good luck!

 

[WhySayWhat]

Call animal control and ask for help rounding them up? They should at least have nets or catchpoles they can use to help herd them into a crate (they should also have one if you don't)! I know my local rescue groups always jump at the chance to help, especially if you're offering to keep them and not strain an already strained rescue!

 

[Lady Clucks-a-Lot]

Use bread! Chickens, ducks, goose, no matter if it's baby or grown up, all love bread!

 

[DukesDucks]

I think you could lure them with meal worms. Try tossing from a distance first then get them closer. I had to catch a peacock that had gotten loose. Used a cage with the door open. Tied a string to cage door and around a tree so I could be out of sight. Peacock went in for the treats and I was able to slam the door shut enough to run over and finish closing it. It was like something out of a cartoon but worked.

 

[SolarDuck]

You could try a high powered laser pointer to scare them off the pond, or just wait until night time they won't be able to see as well it should be easier to catch them.

 

[Averyb4Brooke]

Update for y'all. We've had some problems with the neighbors who dumped them, so we have been having to wait around a bit. The ducklings are also scared of anything that moves, so I've decided to wait until nightfall. Hopefully, when their vision is limited, we'll have a better chance of catching them!

Call animal control and ask for help rounding them up? They should at least have nets or catchpoles they can use to help herd them into a crate (they should also have one if you don't)! I know my local rescue groups always jump at the chance to help, especially if you're offering to keep them and not strain an already strained rescue!

Also, I wanted to say that this is a great idea! Unfortunately, I already called animal control and they told me it would probably be a few days before they could help me. They just said that it was something they had never dealt with before.

 

[Averyb4Brooke]

Also, I see you're new here. Welcome to BackYard Chickens! Glad you joined. Everyone here is very kind and helpful.

Try luring them in with mealworms, and scooping them up with the net. You'll have to be quick, or they'll try to escape. It would be best if you could somehow coner them, but that may be tricky by a pond.
Good luck!

And thank you for the warm welcome!!!

 

[lacychappell4]

Welcome to BYC . Any updates ? Thank you for trying to help them . It angers me when people impulsively buy chicks or ducklings and then dump them when they are no longer"cute" .I cant imagine dumping my ducks , chickens or dogs .