Two 11 week old ducklings w/o their mother

[marvelfanatic22]

Hey everyone!

For the last few weeks, a mama Muscovy duck and her babies would come to our backyard to eat and sleep. We don't own them and they just like to roam around out neighborhood. They follow a strict schedule with things and go to a place where they sleep at night. They come to our yard around 9 AM and then leave between 6PM-7:30 PM. Today, we found that two duckling walked into our backyard without their mother. We were very confused. There were three reasons why this could had happened (a predator attacked and killed the mom, the mom was attacked by a drake and ran off, or the mom willingly let them go).

We checked the place where the mom usually would take the ducks to sleep and where they shelter at night. Luckily, we did find her eating grass. Now, that we know wasn't eaten. We are not sure if she was attacked by a drake or she let them go. It has been 3 hours now, and still no sign of the mama coming here to find her babies. What should we do? Should we try to reunite the ducklings with the mom or was this done on purpose? They are right now sleeping under our tree and looking out for the mom, but are not making any noises.

Any help would be great because these ducklings are still too young to fend themselves.

Edit: The ducklings are 11 weeks old and have barely formed their wings. Hence why, I am worried.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Around 10-12 weeks is actually when Muscovy ducklings will leave their mother if in the wild.

 

[marvelfanatic22]

Around 10-12 weeks is actually when Muscovy ducklings will leave their mother if in the wild.

Seriously? So this is a normal thing then, correct? They are wild as I mentioned we don't own them, but they like coming to our backyard. Do you think they will be ok on their own or do you think they are still too young and will be at risk? We want them to get along with the other ducks that live by the pond, but they are all boys.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Seriously? So this is a normal thing then, correct? They are wild as I mentioned we don't own them, but they like coming to our backyard. Do you think they will be ok on their own or do you think they are still too young and will be at risk? We want them to get along with the other ducks that live by the pond, but they are all boys.

Yes it is normal. As far as safety goes any wild ducks are at risk regardless of age, but that is just nature unless you are legally able to trap and keep them in a coop there isn't much that you can do.

 

[marvelfanatic22]

Yes it is normal. As far as safety goes any wild ducks are at risk regardless of age, but that is just nature unless you are legally able to trap and keep them in a coop there isn't much that you can do.

Gotcha. Well, this is a lot more reassuring now and it seems as if she did let the babies go. We will see what the options are later today and go from there. Thank you so much for the expertise.