I have ducks in my tree

[Miss Lydia]

TIP OF THE DAY Ducks in trees can often be caused by cats in their pond

Cat fish that is.

 

[jubylives]

Well we've been seeing her about the same time near dusk flying in from the south. My wife said she always comes from that direction. The creek is south of me but so are the railroad tracks (80+ trains a day) and numerous busy streets. There are at least a dozen or more streets to cross before they reach the creek. I'd imagine she will try to take the ducklings that way when they hatch. Maybe I will put up a fence around the tree but then after that I have no idea. I am pretty confident they won't make the trip to the creek with out casualties.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Well we've been seeing her about the same time near dusk flying in from the south. My wife said she always comes from that direction. The creek is south of me but so are the railroad tracks (80+ trains a day) and numerous busy streets. There are at least a dozen or more streets to cross before they reach the creek. I'd imagine she will try to take the ducklings that way when they hatch. Maybe I will put up a fence around the tree but then after that I have no idea. I am pretty confident they won't make the trip to the creek with out casualties.

Sounds like it will not be good, a fence will be good but that will mean mama and ducklings will have to be separated and you may not get them back together. Have you talked to any rebabbers in your area? they may be able to help.

 

[jubylives]

Dont know any around here. I can raise them if need be unil they have their feathers then i have a good spot to take them where there are not alot of predators and plenty of water and food. If it comes to that they would have a better chance of survival then what lies ahead of them now.

 

[jubylives]

Well the ducklings hatched. The hen took off and we havent seen her again yet. I was at work and the neighbors and my youngest son saw them by themselves. I think she was trying to get them across the tracks which are too high for them to get over. I have four of them and three still missing. I guess I'm gonna need to raise them till they have their feather them let them go in a good spot I go chub fishing at. They are very small and must only be a day or so old.


Well I forgot how good they can jump. Two rode out a train between the tracks. They go 35+ mph through here. We have eight total. May be a little over my head with eight of them.

 

[Diamond88]

Very cool that the ducklings hatched! Are you sure the mom isn't sticking around? Poor things, I hope she didn't abandon them. Then again, it sounds like you're all set to take them under your wing, if you'll allow my pun.

Now, here's a silly question for the others. Back at the beginning of this thread, it was mentioned that there are things that can be done to deter predators through scents. When my boyfriend and I first bought duck eggs, we were planning on living in a big lake house, and we'd be letting the ducks free range, rather than having pets. In order to keep the ducks somewhat safer, though, I did some research and read that urine from a human male is a deterrent to a lot of carnivorous animals. So, I told my boyfriend that once the ducks hatched, he'd have to spend the day drinking a whole bunch of water and peeing all around the perimeter of the yard.

We ended up with one duck and no lake house, so it was a moot point, but still...I can't help wondering if my poor boyfriend would've been doing the ducks a good service, or just making a fool of himself out there!

Sorry for the threadjack!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Well the ducklings hatched. The hen took off and we havent seen her again yet. I was at work and the neighbors and my youngest son saw them by themselves. I think she was trying to get them across the tracks which are too high for them to get over. I have four of them and three still missing. I guess I'm gonna need to raise them till they have their feather them let them go in a good spot I go chub fishing at. They are very small and must only be a day or so old.


Well I forgot how good they can jump. Two rode out a train between the tracks. They go 35+ mph through here. We have eight total. May be a little over my head with eight of them.

Big huge box like a freezer comes in and feed ,shavings ,and water and heat lamp and your good to go. All the best. you'll do fine

 

[Onewiththeducks]

If she nested in a tree, then they are Wood ducks.

 

[jubylives]

No they are mallards. Got everything but food from the call ducks I had. Just didn't expect to be caring for ducks again or at least so soon. Gonna try to keep them from being handled. Hopefully that will help them adjust when we release them.

 

[Quack Addict]

My bet would be it's Wood Ducks.