Orphaned Mallard Ducks

[wannaBchicken]

I found three orphaned mallard ducks that I took under my wing. They were anywhere from a couple days to a week old when I found them. They are around three weeks old now. I have been feeding them chicken starter feed and have them in a duck appropriate brooder box. It took some trial and error to find a way to keep them relatively dry. I would like to be able to release them back to the wild once they get old enough. They have not imprinted on me. They are actually scared to death every time I peek my head into the brooder or reach in to clean up their messes or change their food and water. I have tried not to handle them much thinking it best if I am going to release them back into the wild. The first question I have is will they survive if released and if so what do I need to do to prepare them for that day.

 

[BayBay Peepers]

I would contact a local/relatively local wild life rehab. They have much more experience with releasing animals or knowing whether or not it's possible even. I've never had wild ducklings so I don't know if they'd survive. I'm sure it's quite possible though. Birds seem to have their stuff together when it comes to foraging and finding shelter.