Help needed - baby ducks!

[snodvan]

Help. Anyone from RSPB etc out there who can offer advice? This morning 8 am a commotion with kids outside the house revealed that there were 8 baby ducklings in our front garden. I was informed that the ducklings had been walking in the road and that the kids had chased them into our garden - as kids will do. The parent ducks were flying around at times, clearly somewhat distressed. I am presuming the hatch was inland and that the parents were trying to escort the offspring early morning to some more appropriate place.

They are Sheld ducks so I guess the appropriate place is the sea - approx 1/2 mile away in a direct line across the golf links. However, there is a busy motorway access road in between!

I ushered the offspring into our enclosed back garden and they settled down. At one time (9.15 am) the parent ducks landed in the garden and after they had settled I eased open the door to the garden (unseen by the ducks) in the hope that the parents would wander off with the offspring.

That started to happen in that the parents left the garden - but were then chased off by a dog! Damn! I have only seen them very briefly (once) flying overhead about 6 hours later.

OK, what to DO?

I can leave the ducklings overnight in the totally enclosed back garden and hope that the parents return later/ early tomorrow. Then I can repeat the door opening technique but this time making sure the area is clear of dogs. I am still worried about how the parents will get the offspring across the motorway access road. I presume the parent ducks know where they are heading.

Alternative is to catch the ducklings in a large box, transport them across the motorway access road and let them free on the golf links or even closer to the sea. I can do that now or very early morning. I am reluctant to do that because the chances of them linking up with the parents is remote.

Meanwhile do I try to feed the things - and with what? they can take the occasional 'dip' in my garden pond so water is not a problem.

Advice appreciated. I did try to phone RSPB and local RSPCA - voicemail replies only - and an unhelpful RSPCA national line.

Thanks

[greencreeper]

See if there's a local animal sanctuary - contact them for advice? Not sure what a duck eats - they filter water I think. I'd expect them to make a noise, especially when hungry, so that should attract the parents - and hungry animals.

[Russ]

Don't ducks eat bread? That's what I've been feeding the little guys down at the 'Triangular' pond in Baglan and they seem happy enough....

[snodvan]

I tried the local sanctuary - another voicemail saying closed until Monday.
Noise - no need to tell me. Continual "cheeping" from all 8 of 'em. Been doing it all day. Sounds very loud to me but parent ducks fly past quick and may not hear. The chicks hide under the rhubarb plants in the garden and so are not always very visible.

These are Sheld ducks ie marine ducks. The books say food = worms, sand hoppers and (when bigger) shellfish + seaweed.

[Maggy J]

Originally Posted by snodvan

Help. Anyone from RSPB etc out there who can offer advice? This morning 8 am a commotion with kids outside the house revealed that there were 8 baby ducklings in our front garden. I was informed that the ducklings had been walking in the road and that the kids had chased them into our garden - as kids will do. The parent ducks were flying around at times, clearly somewhat distressed. I am presuming the hatch was inland and that the parents were trying to escort the offspring early morning to some more appropriate place.

They are Sheld ducks so I guess the appropriate place is the sea - approx 1/2 mile away in a direct line across the golf links. However, there is a busy motorway access road in between!

I ushered the offspring into our enclosed back garden and they settled down. At one time (9.15 am) the parent ducks landed in the garden and after they had settled I eased open the door to the garden (unseen by the ducks) in the hope that the parents would wander off with the offspring.

That started to happen in that the parents left the garden - but were then chased off by a dog! Damn! I have only seen them very briefly (once) flying overhead about 6 hours later.

OK, what to DO?

I can leave the ducklings overnight in the totally enclosed back garden and hope that the parents return later/ early tomorrow. Then I can repeat the door opening technique but this time making sure the area is clear of dogs. I am still worried about how the parents will get the offspring across the motorway access road. I presume the parent ducks know where they are heading.

Alternative is to catch the ducklings in a large box, transport them across the motorway access road and let them free on the golf links or even closer to the sea. I can do that now or very early morning. I am reluctant to do that because the chances of them linking up with the parents is remote.

Meanwhile do I try to feed the things - and with what? they can take the occasional 'dip' in my garden pond so water is not a problem.

Advice appreciated. I did try to phone RSPB and local RSPCA - voicemail replies only - and an unhelpful RSPCA national line.

Thanks

If the parents haven't returned by tomorrow then call the RSPCA.

If they do just leave it to them by leaving access open.And carefully explain to all your neighbours what you are trying to do in the meantime,then maybe you will get some assistance with keeping kids,dogs and CATS etc under control.

Incog.

[snodvan]

Incog,
yes, that is my "feeling" for the best solution. I will of course worry all night about the local cats finding the chicks in the garden, especially if they keep up this cheeping. I will not sleep a wink tonight worrying about them.

[greencreeper]

Originally Posted by Russ D

Don't ducks eat bread? That's what I've been feeding the little guys down at the 'Triangular' pond in Baglan and they seem happy enough....

The young of any species (including us) needs a diet rich in vitamins, minerals and especially protein, so they can grow up to be big and strong. Bread just isn't going to do it - not on its own anyway

My dad breeds greenfinches. The young chicks need protein so he feeds them mealworms - has to buy them from a supplier. Trouble is, the worms need housing and feeding too, and eventually they turn into this scary looking bug. My dad's basically providing what the finches would get in the wild. It's all very complicated and difficult.

[Maggy J]

I wouldn't panic about food yet-but set a deadline to call the RSPCA and stick to it after giving the parents time to sort it out.

[greencreeper]

Could provide clean fresh water though.

[Russ]

Originally Posted by greencreeper

Could provide clean fresh water though.

Why stop there? How about a selection of cupcakes?? And a supply of nice clean towels??

Seriously though, I'm shocked at the RSPB and the animal sactuary not being open on the weekends

[Maggy J]

Originally Posted by greencreeper

Could provide clean fresh water though.

The pond water will do just fine.

[Maggy J]

Originally Posted by Russ D

Why stop there? How about a selection of cupcakes?? And a supply of nice clean towels??

Seriously though, I'm shocked at the RSPB and the animal sactuary not being open on the weekends

I should imagine that they lack serious cash and are short on volunteers to man phones.

[greencreeper]

Nope. RSPCA and RSPB are just organisations for middle England to join so they can feel good about themselves. They generally don't give a stuff about wildlife and in the case of RSPCA, they're only interested in domesticated animals. You try asking them to rescue something - it'll be dead by the time you convince them.

[snodvan]

'aint they cute?

[greencreeper]

Awwwwww bless! They look like giant fluffy mint humbugs on legs!