Yesterday on my way home I rescued (I hope that's what I've done) a young female mallard from the downtown streets where I work. It was all alone and confused. It's possible she got separated from her kin, since I found her not far from the Hudson River; she is not acting like she was somebody's pet. I have it in a large cage in my house right now and am trying to reach wildlife rescue folks as to where I can take it. Can one just let a lone duck free by a pond? Would she like being around my chickens?
Keep trying to contact a rescue, it's the best thing to do. In the meantime, I would keep her isolated from your chickens, just as a precaution in case of illness.
