Need Duck Help!

[preb]

We have a female duck that is nesting about 3 feet from our front door along the side of our garage. The male is not around. She doesn't move during the day at all.

I've been leaving bread and a bowl of water near her each evening and the bread is gone in the morning, but I don't know if she's eating it or other birds are.

Does anyone know what, if anything, I can leave for her to eat? How long will she be there? Should we just leave her alone and not try to make her stay more "comfortable"?

My DD6 thinks it's the coolest thing in the world and can't wait to see the baby ducks.

Thanks for any advise!

 

[Tiffa]

Mom will be there until dad comes back to sit then she will go and eat but until then - nothing- they just work that way

 

[Tiffa]

Sorry didn't see the last part of your question 28 day gestation I beleive and if you are is a suburb when the babies come be sure they dont go neat the gutters in the street she will look for the largest body of water and walk the babies to it

 

[preb]

You've got to be kidding me!

She set up her nest and settled in last Thursday.

We had our new swimming pool installed yesterday!

Can I put up a little kiddy pool in the front yard to keep them out of the pool in the back yard?

Also, do you know what they eat?

 

[Tiffa]

ok on the pool thing, I think only Mother Nature could tell if she would settle for a kiddie pool or not - no pond or anything stream? They must feel safe or they will move. The best thing is cracked corn NO BREAD its like filler they eat it puffs in their bellythey think they are full but no nutritional value - I worked for a avian (bird) a few years ago and you could get pellets which is basically bird dog food everything in a small nugget dont know where to tell you to get it like a feed store- bread is like bird crack no good but they love it, its bad for them but they want it try your local wildlife rescue to answer any questions or get any tips- good luck

 

[DisMN]

Ducks take care of themselves, you shouldn't need to feed her......she'll be fine and knows what to do.

By feeding her you might be setting her up to depend on food from humans which won't help her or her babies later on.

Have fun with the new little family!!!

 

[preb]

Nope, no pond or stream. We are right in the middle of the suburbs.

I'll stop feeding her for now!

 

[Sparx]

leave her be, she will be ok.

oh! and if you are around when they hatch, don't let your kids be the first thing they see. stay inside for a few hours while they are hatching. if they see your kids first, they will think that they are their mom and follow them around. don't stand around them when they are hatching.

 

[Lil_Tink]

My nieghbors had ducks and yes they do take care of themselves..But they did make them a cheep 5$ kiddie pool with water...I dont know but if they start ***needing*** food perhaps scattor it through the yard

 

[Milla Jovovich]

Oh how cute!!

Milla

 

[DisMN]

leave her be, she will be ok.

oh! and if you are around when they hatch, don't let your kids be the first thing they see. stay inside for a few hours while they are hatching. if they see your kids first, they will think that they are their mom and follow them around. don't stand around them when they are hatching.

OH THAT'S RIGHT!!! I forgot they do that!!

Make Way For Ducklings would be a fun book to read while you're in the midst of your very own duck family.

 

[Jasminesmommy]

I had a duck make her nest on the side of my steps in my garden last year. We happened upon her eggs while she was gone and didn't see her for a week found out she came to sit on them at night. When it was time for them to hatch she was always on them. Took almost 2 weeks at that point. While hatching we can hear them chirping under her and the next morning they were gone. She leads them away at night. Our duck had a chipped beak so it was easy to find her. She came this year once but we haven't seen her since and she didn't lay eggs again. Chances are your duck will be back again next year if nothing happens to her. Keep your kids away because thay are really nasty while nesting.h

 

[ducklite]

I agree, you really don't need to feed her, but if you want to, cracked corn is the way to go. It would be nice to leave her some fresh water in a bowl though, that can never hurt.

Anne

 

[preb]

Next stupid question...where do you get cracked corn?

Can you tell I'm a city girl!?!

 

[ducklite]

Most larger pet stores (PetSmart, etc.) should have it. It's usually in a five pound bag, and pretty inexpensive.

Anne

 

[DOINGDISNEY05]

Next stupid question...where do you get cracked corn?

Can you tell I'm a city girl!?!

Cracked corn is the best for them. You can buy it at a feed and grain stores. But if you dont have them in your area, I would try Walmart or Targets they do sell bird food however not sure if they sell crecked corn. You can also call local Pet stores. If they dont have it they could help you find someone who does. If you have a Lowes in your area I do believe they sell it. Good luck with your new featherd friends