Baby ducks are hatched!!

[carcar80]

Look at 'em!!!

 

[carcar80]

Oh absolutely. We have fairly large turtles. One came out into the yard this week.. He was over a foot long and we've seen much larger!

 

[carcar80]

We have some good-sized large mouth bass also. I'm sure they might snatch one or two as well.

What I was meaning was, I'm actually interested to see if she does things different next time. Like, not taking them in deep water so soon. Our pond has a very gradual grade at the shore, so there is still plenty of choice/room to swim all the way around without being around the deeper-dwelling things. I mean, you can't tell me wild Mallard mamas don't have to worry with turtles, and they obviously have babies reach maturity.

 

[Bruin1107]

@carcar80 this is her 2nd time too. Her first round she hatched only 2 and none survived. We live on a pond, and built the ducks a house on stilts in the water. She made her nest in there and that's where she currently is with the babies. I blocked her enterance out of the house and put some food and water in. There is a 12inch drop with a ramp to the water, so I don't want the babies following her out and drowning. Right now they are safe and sound!

 

[Miss Lydia]

We have some good-sized large mouth bass also. I'm sure they might snatch one or two as well.

So what your saying is you let your ducks hatch out ducklings to feed the LM Bass and turtles? Them babies don't stand a chance.

 

[carcar80]

Miss Lydia, I guess you could put it that way if you wanted?? I mean, I could toss eggs all season and she would just keep moving her nest and laying.. Or I can let her do her thing. And no, I realize they don't stand much chance. Not a lot I can do. We tried to catch her last year along with the babies. Wow, that was an exhausting few hours. It was ridiculous. And I fear if I try to catch her while she's sitting she'll be too stressed to sit, then I'm stuck with the guilt of all those beginning-to-form babies. And I can't just incubate all spring.. I'll be run over with ducks and nowhere for them to go!

 

[carcar80]

And so that's why I'll likely incubate one "token clutch" each spring, just to feel a little better. That way I can raise them to size an find good homes for them. But mama just keeps going after that..

 

[carcar80]

Bruin the house sounds cute. I bet she loves that.

 

[Bruin1107]

Carcar the house is my profile picture if you want to have a look. The fence is gone now and we built a front porch.

 

[Miss Lydia]

And so that's why I'll likely incubate one "token clutch" each spring, just to feel a little better. That way I can raise them to size an find good homes for them. But mama just keeps going after that..

Car car sorry if I upset you, but just thinking of those li ducklings being eaten kinda upset me. Seems sad. to go through the process of being hatched just to be eaten so quick.