I got a phone call from a friend today needing help with a Mallard duck and her nine ducklings. They were wondering down her street heading straight for a four lane highway. The creek where she nested at has dried up, and she was moving her ducklings to a pond on the other side of a very busy road. My friend was able to get them turned around, and had the duck and ducklings cornered in a field. At nightfall the duck flew off leaving her ducklings behind. There were several cats around, and my son actually had to shew one away. I knew I couldn't leave the duckings behind for cat food, so I scooped them up and brought them home. Do you think the duck will be back tomorrow looking for them? How long will she look for them before giving up if she does come back? If she does come back what would be the best way to get her and the ducklings to the pond. If she doesn't return what should I do with the ducklings? I don't want to keep them. Would I be able to be a surrogate mom until they are old enough to be released? The ducklings are one to two days old, how old do they need to be to be released?