Unintentional New Duck Owner and Need Help

[PirateGirl]

I wish it was as easy as that but it's not. I'm in very urban Dallas and leaving my gate open means I'm leaving it open to the neighborhood and specifically to an alley between homes. With a pool in my yard I'm leaving myself vulnerable to lawsuits (I realize odds of this are extreme but still) and other unwanted human guests. Also, my dogs would simply just get out and run away so I have to keep my gate shut and it's the only way in our out of my yard.



Good idea. Will try to find something to put around the nest site to block it off from rest of bed since she picked a corner.

Thanks for the response!

Oh, I'm not advocating you leave your gate open. You don't need more unwelcome visitors of the two or four legged variety! Hopefully she will fly off with all of them. I know there are others who will disagree with my advice and you must decide what's best for you, but personally, as much as I love animals, I am quite opposed to messing with wild ones especially when it comes to feeding because then they become dependent on people for food and stop (or don't learn) hunting and foraging and also start viewing humans as safe and as a food source (and not all humans are safe or providers of food). Once fed they will stick around even longer and view your home as a good home.

Good luck. It's a tricky situation for sure.

Do you have a pool cover you can put on that would block it off from them if it's not too much of a pain?

Also another potential place for a ramp would be up and over your fence so they can easily get out but not so easily get back in. I'm not sure how realistic this is and if they would ever go up it or if there is anything safe or appealing on the other side of the fence, I'm just brainstorming here.

 

[PirateGirl]

Department of Natural Resources. Fish and wildlife too.

This too. I know you spoke with them and they would not remove or relocate the duck for you, but maybe they have some ideas of something you can do.

 

[DuckyDonna]

Department of Natural Resources. Fish and wildlife too.

or....Do not resuscitate! Just joking!

 

[YouBet]

They finally got here yesterday.

 

[casportpony]

Congrats, they are adorable!

 

[DuckyDonna]

They are so cute. How the heck will the little ones get out of the pool? what happens next?

 

[Miss Lydia]

That is adorable!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Any news on getting this mama and babies somewhere safe?

 

[YouBet]

Any news on getting this mama and babies somewhere safe?

Unfortunately, I have bad news. So, twelve little guys arrived on 4/18. We went out of town last weekend on Friday morning and got back home Sunday evening. We were exhausted Sunday evening, so I didn't really pay much attention to them when we got home and it was getting dark.

First thing Monday morning I went outside to check up on them and there were only 2 ducklings in the pool with momma. 8 of them were flat out gone; completely disappeared with zero trace. I suspect a hawk because later on that morning I was in the front yard and just happened to notice a crow chase one out of a tree in my front yard as I opened the front door.

Anyway, 8 were missing and I found 2 more dead by the pool. Before I left for the day one of the remaining two died. I had built ramps for them to get in and out of the pool which they were using. The one that died had hauled ass across the pool for some reason to the ramp. Upon exiting the pool he collapsed at the top of the ramp and just died. I left for work a little bit later and when I got home that evening the other one died within about 30 minutes of me being home. He was hanging out with momma and she got up to get back in the pool. She turned around and quacked at him; he started to follow her and just peeled over and died. She hung around the pool until Wednesday morning looking around for her babies. We had some nasty weather move into Dallas and she left and I haven't seen her since.

All in all last Monday was a pretty awful day after witnessing all of that. Was really bummed out about it.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I am so sorry that had to of been sad to see all of them die. Mama will get over it pretty quick but hopefully she’ll choose a safer place next year . You know in nature we have no idea how often this happens. I guess it’s one way to keep balance but to loose them all is very sad. You did what you could to help. Thanks for updating.