visiting wild mallard...(I need advice!)

[chickensducks&agoose]

I've got 2 mallards, hatched May 3rd, and a big ol' goose, and a black swedish duck. Anyway, I went out to tell them it was bedtime, and get them off my pond, and there were 3, not 2 mallards. The 'extra' mallard was much paler than my mallards, and flew off when I got too close. What is the deal? Is that mallard going to convince my mallards to fly away? Is it going to bring icky diseases to my ducks? or should I just let them hang out????

 

[ExpLo721]

If you raised your mallards from ducklings they will not fly away with the wild mallard because they see the wild mallard as a stranger and not their buddy. If the wild mallard is diseased I don't see why it's impossible for it to spread the disease to your ducks.

 

[Wifezilla]

If you are concerned about the ducks flying off, clip their wings.

 

[chickenwhisperer123]

I would just leave it alone. If it has a disease, then I bet your ducks would already have it anyway, (from being nearby)

Your ducks shouldnt fly away, but if you are worried about it, do what she said!! ^^^^^


Good Luck!!
Jason

 

[chickensducks&agoose]

It looked healthy enough, but it was totally palling around with my ducks. i looked out, and was confused as to how there were 3 instead of 2 before I realized that one was wild. Why do you think it was much paler? Are wild mallards just paler than hatchery ones?

 

[thedoors5to1]

hey i dont know if wild mallards are always paler, but i dont think you need to be worried about a diseased duck if he doesnt appear sick or mangey looking (lots of feathers missing). being a migrating wild duck though he is exposed to so many more pathogens than your ducks as they are pets/companions. if thier already hanging i'd say its ok. but try not to let the wild duck be using thier food dish or thier drinking water (if possible, probably not),otherwise i'd say he's prolly a lonley duck possibly searching for a mate/friend.
maybe he'll become a once in a while visitor
pretty sweet.

 

[Emzyyy]

Are both of your ducks female?

 

[chickensducks&agoose]

I 'think' so....

 

[PortageGirl]

So what ever happened with the visitor? I was browsing around and found this thread but we never found out what happened! Did you gain another duck? or did the visitor just leave? Inquiring minds want to know!