Setting them free.

[RhodysMom]

Thank you for heeding everyone's advice and going back to get them. As I'm sure you now know, they'll never be accepted by wild ducks as they are now domesticated. It would make me feel warm and fuzzy if you posted back once you get them back to your home safe and sound. I'd suggest putting an ad on Craigslist or reaching out to someone in your area who has ducks who may want a couple more. They may be able to help you find them a new home. Thanks again for doing the right thing!!!

 

[Amiga]

Joan916, thank you so very much!

Welcome!

There may be someone on the forum who would like to adopt the ducks, if that's best. If not, there are people who have experience with rehoming and can tell you what they did.

 

[Missy60]

I thought it was illegal to release animals raised as pets into the wild. It might be different in your area though. I hope you at least continue to keep going around there with food for them because they have depended on you for their care for so long. I personally don't think I could leave them to fend for themselves. Do you know anyone that could take them in?

 

[Missy60]

Sorry I made my comment. When I posted for some reason only your post was showing with no replies. I see now you are going to go get them I'm so glad to hear that.

 

[PetesMom]

I would take them if we lived closer, we have a nice enclosed area for our birds and they have access to a big shed and they are very spoiled I might add. I'm in NY not sure where in PA you are. Poor things are probably so scared Glad you are going to get them back

 

[desertdarlene]

I'm glad you are going to get them, too. I see so many ducks, flying and non-flying breeds, that get dropped off and it never ends up good. Sure, they might live for a while, if they're lucky, but their lives will, most likely, be severely shortened. And, they will be forever hungry as they never really learn to correctly forage. Wildlife rescue agencies do release ducks into the wild, but they take careful steps to make sure they have the skills to survive and are not dependent on people in any way.

 

[Oregon Blues]

Also, wildlife rescue groups never release domestic ducks into the wild. They might (very rarely) release repaired wild ducks or rescued endangered wild breed ducks.

Ducks to be released are specially handled so contact with humans is severely limited and ducks are trained to eat in a natural manner. No feed pans, no prepared commercial feed.

Domestically raised ducks just never learn the survival skills. Even the endangered wild ducks, if they have been under human care for too long, are much more likely to go to a controlled zoo breeding program and not be released into the wild.

Life in the wild can be pretty short and brutal, even for ducklings raised by wild parents and taught by their parents how to survive.

 

[Diamond88]

Good luck capturing and rehoming the ducks! You're doing the right thing for them, and they'll be thankful for it.

 

[QueenDuck]

Phew!
So glad you have gone to get them! Maybe you should build or buy a coop or enclosure for them that is strong so the hawks can't get in.
QueenDuck

 

[QuackerJackFarms]

Joann- you were just doing what you thought was best. I'm glad you posted here though. Clearly you love your duckies and would never do anything intentionally to hurt them. I'm with Queenduck. Build them a little shelter to hide it. Doesn't have to be fancy. Just something for them to duck under. (pardon the pun!! LMBO That was funny!!)