Brooding Mallard hen

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swampfox440 said:
I know what you mean, you are correct in what you say. Our animal rescue is so full of cats and dogs they won't except anything. The warden that works for the sheriff department brought us a 25lb. bag of cat food for rescuing a cat during the winter. We are blessed to have her for a warden. The Duke traps are not for those week at heart as you have to dispose of the animal you catch. I can't think of anything to do other than trying to find a trapper as you have already said.
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I don't want them disposed of, and that's what they will do. I just want to protect "Ducky"
(that's what I've named her....lol) The predator deterrent seems to be working well, so far.
I took a few snapshots of her today. (Yep! Found a disposable camera! Stroke of luck on that one!) I've also noticed that she gets very defensive when approached by people, but, she'll let me come up to her, which is totally....awesome!!! I check on her a few times a day since she began brooding, so maybe she's used to me. Can you tell I'm loving this??.....lol
 
Ok. Update:
Ducky was attacked again...(my nerves!!) this time by a feral cat. I made it to the door just as she was flying off, and the cat ran off. All these animals are beginning to make this thing "personal." I had just taken the solar panel in to recharge when this happened. She hasn't come back to the nest yet. Hoping and praying she's ok. Eggs are intact. I don't want to entertain my neighbors, but a duck watcher's gotta do what a duck watcher's gotta do.
*I don't know how to just sit back and 'let nature take it's course'.
Yep. I'll be up all night.
 
Update from Ducky Central:
She's making me proud! Successfully escaped the cat attack. She was back in her nest this morning. I've taken additional steps to hopefully thwart off future unwanted encounters:
Coffee grounds around her perimeter, with an addition of Cayene pepper and crushed red pepper flakes, and, an abundance of peppermint oil all around the perimeter of both flowerbeds. Held off on the vinegar....for now. I just want to see how all this works. (I did some research online, and found out what is suppose to be effective deterrents for cats and raccoons.)
Note: She kinda looked at me as if to ask "what ARE you doing??" When I finished and went inside, she got off her nest, inspected what I had done in both flowerbeds, then casually went back and resumed her place on the nest. Been there ever since.
*I might have gone a little overboard on the peppermint oil, but, hey....whatever works, right?
 
Cynthia12 said:
WELCOME! And I'm thinking..bring her and eggs into a safe place!
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Here, we're not allowed to interfere with a Mallard hen once she's established her nest, or any wildlife for that matter. Geese and ducks are protected by law. I really don't have a "safe place" on my property. Any suggestions?
And, thanks for the welcome!
 

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