Human imprinted ducklings rehoused

[AlyssaB4]

In short, 2 Mallard duck eggs were abandoned in my neighborhood when the mother got killed. I rescued them and incubated them. They are 3 weeks old now, and they have imprinted on me as I have been taking care of them ALL the time. The issue is, I didn’t know that even though they weren’t hatched/been raised or have never been outside, they are still considered ‘wild’. Therefore, legally I am not supposed to keep them.
So... I am currently struggling with the decision to either keep them anyways or to give them to a wildlife rescue center (as I was told that that is where they are legally supposed to go). The main issue i have is that they are imprinted on me (cry when I am not in sight,etc.), so it scares me and breaks my heart to think that they might feel scared or sad/abandoned if I give them to a rescue center. Also, one of the wildlife centers said that they would raise them and release them into the wild. But from what I researched, it seems that they won’t follow other ducks and won’t follow ‘natural’ behavior patterns and communication once they imprinted on a human?

I am just trying to get any and all informed-opinions about how duckling imprinting on a human affects them and basically, if giving them away at 3 weeks of age after being imprinted on me would be a big problem for them emotionally/psychologically. Or if they would be able to adjust still and move on easily?

 

[AlyssaB4]

In short, 2 Mallard duck eggs were abandoned in my neighborhood when the mother got killed. I rescued them and incubated them. They are 3 weeks old now, and they have imprinted on me as I have been taking care of them ALL the time. The issue is, I didn’t know that even though they weren’t hatched/been raised or have never been outside, they are still considered ‘wild’. Therefore, legally I am not supposed to keep them.
So... I am currently struggling with the decision to either keep them anyways or to give them to a wildlife rescue center (as I was told that that is where they are legally supposed to go). The main issue i have is that they are imprinted on me (cry when I am not in sight,etc.), so it scares me and breaks my heart to think that they might feel scared or sad/abandoned if I give them to a rescue center. Also, one of the wildlife centers said that they would raise them and release them into the wild. But from what I researched, it seems that they won’t follow other ducks and won’t follow ‘natural’ behavior patterns and communication once they imprinted on a human?

I am just trying to get any and all informed-opinions about how duckling imprinting on a human affects them and basically, if giving them away at 3 weeks of age after being imprinted on me would be a big problem for them emotionally/psychologically. Or if they would be able to adjust still and move on easily?

Well, I actually think one imprinted on me and the other imprinted on that one. Because it is mainly only the first one that cries for me when I am out of sight...

 

[bhaugh]

When they get older the imprint will wane and they will most likely revert to some sort of wildness. Most ducklings love us in the beginning but soon we are forgotten in this way. It's the sad day when we raise ducks.
Check your state laws on having mallard. Some states may allow you to get a game permit to keep them. But think seriously if you want to take on that role or just place them to a sanctuary. Having ducks is rewarding but only if you plan to put the time in for the long haul.

 

[fatty and friends]

keep them if possible. you should never keep a wild duckling and they should always go to someone with rehabbing experience, but since they have already imprinted it will be 100% better for their health to keep them. even if you rehome them to a new family they will still be super stressed/confused and think that you abandoned them. i have five ducks and four of them are imprinted to me, and even 2.5 years later they still love me just as much and follow me everywhere

 

[AlyssaB4]

keep them if possible. you should never keep a wild duckling and they should always go to someone with rehabbing experience, but since they have already imprinted it will be 100% better for their health to keep them. even if you rehome them to a new family they will still be super stressed/confused and think that you abandoned them. i have five ducks and four of them are imprinted to me, and even 2.5 years later they still love me just as much and follow me everywhere

Okay. Thank you, i don’t want them to be stressed if this is something that will affect them for a long time or for life. Do you think they will be okay with just 2 of them though? Because that is another factor, i don’t know if they will end up being lonely if they are outside with just each other. And I can’t get anymore...

 

[AlyssaB4]

When they get older the imprint will wane and they will most likely revert to some sort of wildness. Most ducklings love us in the beginning but soon we are forgotten in this way. It's the sad day when we raise ducks.
Check your state laws on having mallard. Some states may allow you to get a game permit to keep them. But think seriously if you want to take on that role or just place them to a sanctuary. Having ducks is rewarding but only if you plan to put the time in for the long haul.

Okay thank you. Ya I have been trying to read the laws on it and figure out the permits, but it is all super confusing . I will check into a game permit

 

[fatty and friends]

Okay. Thank you, i don’t want them to be stressed if this is something that will affect them for a long time or for life. Do you think they will be okay with just 2 of them though? Because that is another factor, i don’t know if they will end up being lonely if they are outside with just each other. And I can’t get anymore...

yes having just 1 duck is a huge problem but as long as they have atleast one friend they will be happy be prepared for 10-20 years with them though, ducks need just as much care as a cat/dog

 

[AlyssaB4]

yes having just 1 duck is a huge problem but as long as they have atleast one friend they will be happy be prepared for 10-20 years with them though, ducks need just as much care

yes having just 1 duck is a huge problem but as long as they have atleast one friend they will be happy be prepared for 10-20 years with them though, ducks need just as much care as a cat/dog

Ok, because when calculating out all the pros and cons. It would be the clear choice to let them be raised with other ducks and be with specialists, etc. I am not in a rural area, however if I keep them I am going to make a large caged area with a little pond and house and plants I also have 3 dogs, and so they are going to need to be separated, meaning the ducks will be outside in the cage during the day, and at night I can bring them in if needed. That’s why I asked about if just having each other outside would be enough company for those times. Of course I already am very attached to them, but I would have to get over it if giving them up was best for them. But the whole imprinting and emotional health affects of whether or not giving them away would negatively impact them for life, is the main deciding factor. If it is truly best that they need to stay with me then I will make it happen and do everything I can with what I’ve got. Sorry for all the rambling. I’m just trying to give all the factors in making the decision

 

[fatty and friends]

for some reason it’s not letting me reply directly to your last message, but my ducks live in a neighborhood with us too. we have a normal sized backyard and they are perfectly happy and healthy. i would honestly have to say spoiled pet ducks seen to be happier than farm ducks in my opinion. if you want, you could harness train them and take them on walks/adventures with you, my ducks love it!

 

[KaleIAm]

Okay. Thank you, i don’t want them to be stressed if this is something that will affect them for a long time or for life. Do you think they will be okay with just 2 of them though? Because that is another factor, i don’t know if they will end up being lonely if they are outside with just each other. And I can’t get anymore...

Even though my ducks are not imprinted on me and they have a large 30x30 aviary, they still quack loudly for me to be with them all day. Even at night if they hear me open the back door they shout quack for me to come to the barn and hang out with them or take them for a walk. I imagine the neediness would be even more intense with imprinted ducks. I find it charming, but it is also a lot of responsibility. @fatty and friends is right about ducks being as much work as a dog. I think my dog is actually much less work. Ducks are very rewarding and charming, just a lot of work.

Are you in an area where loudly quacking ducks would be permitted?