Hello from Australia! I have eggs and not much idea what to do!

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They look soooo happy. I have thought bout what you said maybe evenually releasing them. I say don't. We still have duck shooting season here I fear your ducks may meet at terrible end. If you can't keep them please take them a zoo (halls gap would prob take them) or maybe an animal farm. They are looking pretty content at your place I reckon you should keep them.
 
I would not release them as they will not be able to look after themselves in the wild. If you plan not keeping them full time I would find a wires person to take them. I may be wrong so don't take this as gospel but I think it is actually illegal in Australia to keep wild ducks. Whatever you decide to do I wish you the best of luck.
 
Satay you are right is IS illegal to keep wild ducks. I have spoken to a local wildlife shelter and they are happy to the them off my hands when the time comes.

RachMick, as much as I would *love* to keep them, my home is a very dangerous place for ducks. I have two Devon Rex cats (one of which is a great hunter). Both of these boys are mostly kept indoors so outdoor birds are pretty safe. They are let out about once a week for a big run and a feed of grass. They have been patiently awaiting an opportunity where I leave the dining room door open and they can get to the brooder box. Cheeky little buggers. Also, I have a Murray River Curly Coated Retriever dog. This particular breed has been around for over 100 years and was bred specifically for hunting ducks. She licks her chops every time she walks past the brooder box (but is marginally more trustworthy than the cats)!

I do actually want to get some backyard poultry and was set on chickens, but once these little heart-stealing beauties go I might get a couple of domestic ducks instead. But I would not get them this young so they can stay outside in the safe part of the yard where the pen is.
 
it is illegal to take wild ducks from wild population no mention of rescued eggs. you have not broken any laws here in victoria what you did would not be seen as illegal. my concern is that we have a twelve week duck shooting season most other states have banned this practice vic sa and tas havent and its dangerous to protest it. you have done a wonderful job. these babies will think humans mean food and safety. there are few farms marked up with no shooting signs our farm is this only one in this district got to be honest ducks are not the reason its for our eagle pairs that come here every year. i think the annual duck slaughter here is a disgrace its the poorest excuse for a sport but its not going to change before your birds take flight.
 
No indeed it wont. :-(

I am trying not to handle them too much so they don't become too complacent about humans. There are several urban dams here with duck populations where people feed the ducks (even though there are signs not to). The ducks at one of these dams is where I think Mumma duck is from. I was thinking of releasing them there. My main concern, without a mumma duck to teach them about hazards, is that they will go out into the big, wide world and will get eaten by a cat/dog/fox on the first day.

Speaking of things to teach bubba ducks, does anyone know at what age I can feed them live mealworms? I bought some today but the lady in the shop said that mealworms have quite sharp jaws and may injure the ducklings inside (as they are so young). She suggested I squish their heads before feeding them to the ducklings. Gross! Luckily, I have a 10yo son who is more than happy to do the head squishing. Errrgh!

Oh and what is this grit I need to give them? Is it just like washed river sand?
 
grit is shell grit looks like tiny seashells smashed up all the salts are washed out. its available at produce stores when they eat it it goes into crop as the muscles of the crop grind it with grains it helps to break the grain down and it (the shell grit) breaks down and provides calcium which is great for young developing bones. the mum wont know them she has probably started a new clutch of eggs. its important they can fly well before you release them its their only defense.
 

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