Some ducks wondered into my yard?

[cochinfan05]

These four ducks came into my yard yesterday. Since I have chickens I offered them food and water (which they gobbled right up!). Since I'm not sure were they came from I'm trying to keep them in the front yard since my birds are in the back. I guess I'm just wondering what I can do for them besides just giving them food and water

 

[Debs Flock]

Did they fly in? Do they quack or peep?

 

[cochinfan05]

Technically they walked into the yard but they have flown when spooked a couple times. They just circle a couple times and land back in the yard. I have heard them quack also. I feel bad because they have absolutely no protection from predators just being in the yard all night.

 

[JadeComputerGal]

Technically they walked into the yard but they have flown when spooked a couple times. They just circle a couple times and land back in the yard. I have heard them quack also. I feel bad because they have absolutely no protection from predators just being in the yard all night.

LOL. Looks like you're a "victim" of migratory ducks. Those look like Mallards, and they go where they choose this time of year. If that's the case, they'll fly away when they get tired of being around. They're probably just hanging out there on the way to their next hangout. They might just feel like it's a safe place to mill around for a while.

Do you have water on your property, or are you near a small body of water? If so, it's possible that's why they chose to hang around there. I sort of wish that would happen to me, except that I already have enough ducks.

 

[cochinfan05]

There is a pond about 3 acres back but they haven't really left the yard. I don't mind them being here besides from the dog wanting to chase them. She thinks it great when they fly! Having to walk her on a leash is a pain but worth it when I get to watch there cuteness in the yard

 

[Miss Lydia]

I wonder if wild mallards would just walk in and gobble feed up, I think they may be a little more leery, could someone have known you have chickens and set these ducks out at your house.What happens to them at night? I doubt wild mallards would just hang around in the yard they would be predator savy and head for water ? All guesses on my part.

 

[Miss Lydia]

There is a pond about 3 acres back but they haven't really left the yard. I don't mind them being here besides from the dog wanting to chase them. She thinks it great when they fly! Having to walk her on a leash is a pain but worth it when I get to watch there cuteness in the yard

That is another reason they need protection maybe not from your dog since you are keeping yours from getting them but stray dogs would kill just for the sheer pleasure of the kill. And then all the other preds out there.

 

[JadeComputerGal]

There is a pond about 3 acres back but they haven't really left the yard. I don't mind them being here besides from the dog wanting to chase them. She thinks it great when they fly! Having to walk her on a leash is a pain but worth it when I get to watch there cuteness in the yard

I agree with @Miss Lydia that wild Mallards wouldn't tend to hang out nearby if you don't have some kind of water that drew them like a pond, even an artificial one. I know you don't know what they do overnight, but do they wander at all during the day or just stay clustered in your front yard? (I realize you probably don't know that either if you work away the home.)

Miss Lydia got me thinking that someone possibly dropped them there. I hate the thought of that, but I agree it's possible. Trying to think of another possiblilty aside from dumping them or simply migratory hanging out, do you have any neighbors who have ducks that might have strayed away for an adventure?

 

[jducour]

Have you noticed if the back toe is clipped on their right foot? If they are domestic mallards, they should have been clipped at hatching, and someone probably dumped them. That would explain the willingness to come eat your food, and sticking around despite not having a pond.

 

[cochinfan05]

Although they are timid they definitely don't seem "wild". They did recognize the crumble after all. I will investigate with the neighbors today after work to see if they possibly escaped someone's yard. I will try to look at their feet. Right now I'm not being to pushy with them. I am willing to try to lure them into the chickens yard but I'm leery to expose my chickens to any "bugs" from these new guys.