Can Wild Mallards Raised By Humans Get By In The Wild?

[Henrik Petersson]

A friend of mine found 3 mallard hatchlings by their dead mother and is now raising them, giving them fodder, a heat source, and letting them roam around in an outdoor cage and take the occasional bath. After a very short while they started seeing my friend as their "mother" and follow her around. My friend's plan is to let them out by a lake when they are adult.

My question: Will they be able to survive when left in the wild?

Or, to phrase it differently: Are mallards instinct-driven enough to be able to survive without having been taught by a mallard mother?

Or is my friend better off giving them to someone with domesticated ducks?

 

[Isaac 0]

They may survive for for a while but will more than likely die to starvation or predation. Since they have been raised by humans they don't know how to properly find food for themselves.Since you live in Sweden they would even have a harder time finding food and keeping warm.Best to give them to someone who can care for them properly.

 

[Jpat]

Theyr gonna survive alot better than with a dead mother

Limit contact with them, feed them chick starter and nutritional yeast and see how it goes!

The responsible thing to do is contact local Depart Of Fisheries and Oceans

or Department of Natural Resources


OR A National Park Warden


Always save baby animals, its the right thing to do

 

[BantyChooks]

I raised a half-mallard some years ago. It ended up flying away for the winter and even came back the next spring. Their situation differs somewhat, but I'd say they have a fighting chance.

 

[Jpat]

I raised a half-mallard some years ago. It ended up flying away for the winter and even came back the next spring. Their situation differs somewhat, but I'd say they have a fighting chance.

Not to interupt but that is realy cool!

 

[Henrik Petersson]

Somewhat differing responses here. Interesting. Seems to be a topic without a clear-cut answer. I'd love to see some more replies.

 

[Jpat]

some people would leave a baby animal to die because its natural. i understand the logic but disagree with the action

Save a baby animal, its the right thing to do

 

[chickens really]

Yes...Rehab facilities raise Ducklings and release all the time. It's instinct they go by. They will be fine if let go once feathered...

 

[Natalie-Morgz]

I raised mallard ducklings that were abandoned and they flew off in the winter and came back in the spring. We leave a bowl of food out for them and so far they're doing great.

 

[Henrik Petersson]

some people would leave a baby animal to die because its natural. i understand the logic but disagree with the action

Save a baby animal, its the right thing to do

Why do you bring that up? No-one in this thread has suggested doing that.