Fostered Duckies

[ThreeLittleDucklings]

So I have 3 female Cayugas. A few weeks ago we found a mallard nest abandoned in the ditch while we were bailing hay. Just for fun we decided to place the eggs in with our ducks since 2 of them tend to go broody easily. Well, 5 of them hatched!!! Now I am wondering what to do with them. They are in a pen that isnt exactly duckling friendly. Any advice on what to do? And my Cayugas tend to step on them a lot too. Any and ALL advice VERY appreciated. Love you guys <3

 

[ThreeLittleDucklings]

P.S. I am slightly panicking. I didnt expect this to happen hahaha

 

[Miss Lydia]

Since their wild get in touch with local wild life officials they can direct you to a rehabber.

 

[EverythingDucks]

I would get them to a rescue. For now (or if you can't find a rescue), try to limit your interaction with them. Have you separated any drakes or other ducks yet? If not I would do that. In the wild the mother would use her own oil gland to keep the ducklings waterproof but I don't know if the your will do that. Wait until they're a few days old, then you can let them have supervised time in a pool. Since they're wild they'll need plenty of water and outside time. If you could set up an area away from other ducks and sprinkle live mealworms in the grass it will help teach them to forage

 

[Miss Lydia]

Why would the op have to separate the drakes from the ducks?

 

[EverythingDucks]

Why would the op have to separate the drakes from the ducks?

So the drakes won't kill them or hurt them

 

[Isaac 0]

I'm a bit confused... Nowhere does the OP mention she has drakes.

I x2 on contacting a wildlife rehabber

 

[Miss Lydia]

Do you mean adults separated from the Mallards? For some reason I was thinking the Mallards are by themselves.

 

[EverythingDucks]

@Isaac 0 @Miss Lydia
I just meant to separate any drakes if are any, just to be safe. And it may be best to separate any other ducks (beside the foster momma duck) just in case since they're wild, idk.

 

[Isaac 0]

@Isaac 0 @Miss Lydia
I just meant to separate any drakes if are any, just to be safe. And it may be best to separate any other ducks (beside the foster momma duck) just in case since they're wild, idk.

Gotcha!