New duck family nanny

[tamstertwo]

Hey everyone,

I recently had a duck and her 6 ducklings sneak into my backyard a few days ago, a first for me! I'm in a county of San Diego.

Although I live in a suburb, and have a bike path that leads to a river bed a few blocks away, I was too afraid to send them back out onto the street.
My neighborhood has every kind of predator. I really don't think they would make it, and even if they did the river bed is polluted.

I didn't know the ducklings needed so much care, and I'm trying to help mama the best I can...I don't know. Guess I'll be asking a lot of questions, real soon.

Thanks for being here, I'm a bit overwhelmed.

 

[drumstick diva]

Welcome to Backyard Chickens. Hopefully some duck folks will see your post and come up with some good solutions. You might also try posting on the "Duck forum,". Go to forums at top of page and scroll down to "duck forum."

 

[nao57]

If they are wild ducks originally, there might be more flight risk.

You could try to keep them there more (if you want) by keeping water and food out constantly.

Most wild duck breeds have some form of flight (for the mother but not the ducklings obviously).

I hope you post more on this. It sounds neat.

 

[tamstertwo]

Thanks all! And mama has flown off a couple of times already...I fret everytime until she returns, praying constantly that they don't become orphans.

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC. Check out this link- https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/ducks.42/

 

[nao57]

Thanks all! And mama has flown off a couple of times already...I fret everytime until she returns, praying constantly that they don't become orphans.

Ducks are very alert but easy to scare. I would try to not approach her. Just hang back, (and use the zoom lens instead). I'm not saying you did anything wrong. But if you keep some distance it will help.

I wish I had more information for you...

Its possible that some of the things that work with domestic breeds might not work with wild ones. (?)

With my domestic ducks, they still don't like me to touch them or get too close. But every day I feed them they do remember it and even try to approach me. If I approach them they get scared, but if I let them approach me it works. It builds up over time; I'm sure it will work better impressing them when younger...given that momma duck is an adult already I'm not sure. But its an interesting experiment.

 

[DiYMama540]

Welcome to BYC! Good for you for helping Mama Duck out! My only concern would be helping a bit more than she's comfortable with could scare her away. Provide some buckets of water and even a baby pool for some fun entertainment! You may get to see them take their first swim!
Thanks for joining our flock!

 

[N F C]

Best of luck with the ducks!

 

[Isaac 0]

Welcome to BYC!

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
Hopefully all will work out well for momma and her ducklings. Thanks for trying to help them.