Feed & Fence Duck Nest?

[DuckNestNewbee]

Weeks ago I found a duck nest...started with one egg. Now about 11. I think it's Mallard. She made her nest at the top of of slope up to my sunroom wall, with my tall purple sage around it. She is quite comfortable and I can view it from my kitchen window. The eggs will probably hatch in a few weeks. I have heard to put out food. Is cracked corn and wild bird seed fine when the eggs hatch? Problem is, we get a lot of chipmunks which will devour it in no time flat. Also, do I need to fence in the ducklings? Very hard to do on that slope. We are on a lake, about 40 yards away. Do I need a shallow pan of water for the babies inside the fence? Thanks...I want to do the right thing for them.

 

[Amiga]

This is a wild mallard, yes? I think that before they hatch, having some fence might help - as long as it is set up so that she can fly in and out. Meal worms might look more like food to her - don't know if chipmunks like those at all.

Once they are hatched, I reckon she'll be taking them to the lake.

I am not a wild waterfowl expert, just thinking.

 

[DuckNestNewbee]

Thanks. I need to figure out a good way to put a fence down and back up this slope. Not sure I'll know when to pick it up so they can walk out. I don't want to trap them.