A pair of wild mallards has nested, with at least 11 eggs in our Dayton, 4 acre, semi suburban home. There is a rain dependent tiny creek in an adjacent wooded area but it doesn’t have the cover or the food sourcing.
We are providing appropriate food for the pair in two different locations. My question is, what can we do once the ducklings hatch? It’s spring here, daffodils, peaking and we’ve been aware of the 11 eggs for a week. We’ve had chickens in the past, and still have the empty chicken house which I’m assuming the ducks are not gonna want to be involved with.
Anything we can do to optimize the success of this hatching? we know the area has dogs, coyotes, raccoons, etc. Clearly, the ducks are trying to make the best of things, but I don’t see how they can possibly succeed. Thanks in advance this is a great group that I’ve learned a lot from over the years.
We are providing appropriate food for the pair in two different locations. My question is, what can we do once the ducklings hatch? It’s spring here, daffodils, peaking and we’ve been aware of the 11 eggs for a week. We’ve had chickens in the past, and still have the empty chicken house which I’m assuming the ducks are not gonna want to be involved with.
Anything we can do to optimize the success of this hatching? we know the area has dogs, coyotes, raccoons, etc. Clearly, the ducks are trying to make the best of things, but I don’t see how they can possibly succeed. Thanks in advance this is a great group that I’ve learned a lot from over the years.
