Re: Duckling question

"Mary Fisher" <mary.fisher@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:44717ae0$0$906$4c56ba96@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Someone on another (uk) ng is too shy to come here to ask the following
and he's getting some weird replies ...


" ...A mother duck has just given birth, hatched, or what ever, eleven
ducklings in our back garden for some inexplicable reason.

" At the moment we've got them all foraging around our garden very safely,
which is quite a cute scene. We've made a make-shift pond out of a baking
tray which they seem to be enjoying. Which is quite ironic as the baking
tray has seen quite a lot of duck/poultry baking action in its time.

" Any advice as to how we should look after them would be much
appreciated?
We're around a quarter of a mile from a canal."


Can anyone give him a comforting answer?

I suggested that he should leave them to themselves and enjoy their
presence while it lasts.

Mary

If they are safe from overhead predators which are one of the main threats
to ducklings - gulls adore duckling and will gorge on a clutch :~(( then you
are quite right - sit back and enjoy. Mummy duck has been very wise and
found a safe place to sit and raise her bubs.
Chappie dog food makes the BEST duckling food if they want to boost their
diet and maybe keep them around a bit longer.
Mash it up in another old baking tray or similar with water - as long as
they have fresh water to clean up in as they will get it EVERYWHERE
There will come a time when they will not want to keep encouraging them !!!!
that number of ducks in a garden will become noticable !!! and withdrawing
the free grub will encourage mum to find the canal :~))

Better than any telly

--

regards
Jill Bowis

Pure bred utility chickens and ducks
Housing; Equipment, Books, Videos, Gifts
Herbaceous; Herb and Alpine nursery
Working Holidays in Scotland
http://www.kintaline.co.uk


.

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