Ducks
A lot of ducks are brought into shelter because of human intervention. Children will steal eggs and ducklings from mothers, people give them food or corral them near pools, and more.
The best thing to do if you find that a duck has laid eggs on your property is to leave them and the mother alone. Ducks generally lay one egg per day, or every other day, until all eggs, generally around 12, are laid. Don't be alarmed if you see that the mother is not sitting on the eggs or the eggs are uncovered. The mother generally covers her eggs up, but it is not an issue to worry about if they are not. Ducks don't sit on their eggs until they are all laid so that they all incubate the same, so it is alright if you see eggs without the mother nearby. |
You should never give food or water to a duck while they are laying eggs or sitting on their eggs, even if you think they have stayed there for a very long time. Food and water can attract predators, such as foxes, raccoons, or owls, so what seems like an act of kindness is more like a death sentence.
If a duck lays eggs in your backyard and you have a pool, make sure that there is some kind of ramp in the pool that will allow ducklings to get out if they scramble in. Ducklings cannot survive in pools because they are not yet waterproofed, so even if they look cute, they are really in distress. A lot of ducks come in drowned because they fell into pools and couldn’t get out. If you have a ramp for your pet, that is a perfect option, but an equally effective option is to lay a towel into the shallow end and deep end of the pool, with something heavy anchoring them by the side of the pool. They will be able to scamper up the towel and escape.
Additionally, make sure that when the eggs are hatched, you open your backyard gate so that the mother can lead them out. Don't try to force the ducks to go anywhere; the mother knows where the nearest water source is.
Never keep a duckling or any animal overnight simply because you think you can help it. Some people think ducks just live off grass or their mother's milk, when in reality, ducks do not eat grass, and mothers do not lactate. Ducklings, without the correct nourishment, will become hypoglycemic and start seizing. However, you should never feed them because you could cause them to aspirate. The best thing to do is to call a wildlife rehabilitator or shelter.
If a duck lays eggs in your backyard and you have a pool, make sure that there is some kind of ramp in the pool that will allow ducklings to get out if they scramble in. Ducklings cannot survive in pools because they are not yet waterproofed, so even if they look cute, they are really in distress. A lot of ducks come in drowned because they fell into pools and couldn’t get out. If you have a ramp for your pet, that is a perfect option, but an equally effective option is to lay a towel into the shallow end and deep end of the pool, with something heavy anchoring them by the side of the pool. They will be able to scamper up the towel and escape.
Additionally, make sure that when the eggs are hatched, you open your backyard gate so that the mother can lead them out. Don't try to force the ducks to go anywhere; the mother knows where the nearest water source is.
Never keep a duckling or any animal overnight simply because you think you can help it. Some people think ducks just live off grass or their mother's milk, when in reality, ducks do not eat grass, and mothers do not lactate. Ducklings, without the correct nourishment, will become hypoglycemic and start seizing. However, you should never feed them because you could cause them to aspirate. The best thing to do is to call a wildlife rehabilitator or shelter.
If you ever see one or two ducklings walking around by themselves, with no other babies or moms around, you should pick them up and call a rehabber. They were most likely late hatches that didn't incubate properly, taking an extra few days to hatch.
If you ever see ducks walking down a busy road or in a dangerous situation, call a rehabilitator. Try to pick them up if it is not too dangerous, but at least keep an eye on them so that rehabilitators can locate and help them quickly and efficiently.
If you see a duck standing next to a storm drain with other babies, or standing there quacking, a baby or multiple babies most likely fell down the storm drain. In this situation, you should immediately call a rehabilitator.
If a child ever steals a duckling, immediately call a rehabber. Don't just put it in a waterway and try to give it back to the mother because if it gets to the wrong mother, that duck will drown the baby. Let a rehabber reunite them.
If you see ducklings huddled together, alone, the best thing to do is watch to make sure that everything is alright. Mothers can sometimes leave for thirty minutes to an hour. If the mother is attacked, the babies will also scatter then huddle together and wait for the mother. If they are alone for several hours or are concerned that the mother has been killed, contact a wildlife shelter or rehabilitator.
If you ever see ducks walking down a busy road or in a dangerous situation, call a rehabilitator. Try to pick them up if it is not too dangerous, but at least keep an eye on them so that rehabilitators can locate and help them quickly and efficiently.
If you see a duck standing next to a storm drain with other babies, or standing there quacking, a baby or multiple babies most likely fell down the storm drain. In this situation, you should immediately call a rehabilitator.
If a child ever steals a duckling, immediately call a rehabber. Don't just put it in a waterway and try to give it back to the mother because if it gets to the wrong mother, that duck will drown the baby. Let a rehabber reunite them.
If you see ducklings huddled together, alone, the best thing to do is watch to make sure that everything is alright. Mothers can sometimes leave for thirty minutes to an hour. If the mother is attacked, the babies will also scatter then huddle together and wait for the mother. If they are alone for several hours or are concerned that the mother has been killed, contact a wildlife shelter or rehabilitator.