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Question
I have a similar situation to the lady with the mallard by the pool. I would like
)
to know what happened with that situation. My mallard has chosen a hidden
spot in some short Nandina bushes. She leaves in the evening to be gone
about 2 hours. My concern is that when the chicks come, she won't have
proper food for them. I can put a "baby pool" on the deck and have also
thought of putting floating devices in the water for the chicks to climb on. It
is about 8 inches from the top of the water level to the deck. I have hesitated
to put food out for the mom because I don't want to attract other animals or
birds.
Dang, that's a big pool.
I know it sounds crazy, but keep in mind that these are basically wild animals. They will find food.
Mallards nest for about 28-33 days. Immediately upon hatching, the babies are led to the nearest body of water. That will probably be your pool -or it could be a lake or a river that's close.
I have seen clutches of ducks born in an urban neighborhood like yours, do just fine. The mom will be leading them around, early in the morning and right before sunset, to find food.
At 2 months, the babies will be able to fly and then they will relocate. But they might return the following year, to have another clutch in your yard.
ABOUT DUCK DIET -just in case you decide to feed them
Domestic ducks typically eat a non-medicated poultry feed (like cracked corn) or "lay pellets". Mallards are basically, physiologically the same as most domestic ducks. They specifically make "starter feed" for ducks, the reason being that their dietary needs vary depending on their age and the time of year. Bread has little nutritional value for the duck, who needs protein in it's early months to develop. Ducks are kind of dumb and if you give them junk food and good food, they will eat the junk food.
Ducks need water to drink that isn't chlorinated, since they use it to digest their food. If you end up putting out a dish or them, it will have to be changed frequently. They make a big mess.
No processed chips, crackers or cereal either, or nuts and seeds (other than the corn -because the duck cannot digest these), or chocolate or candy.
Some things they might enjoy:
• Hard-boiled eggs (chopped with shell on)
• Vegetable greens, shredded carrots, tomatoes
• Worms
• earthworms, meal worms, slugs, bugs and live snails with shells
• Cottage cheese
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Answers by Expert:
Julia Booth
Expertise
I can answer questions about bird identification (by sight or sound), behavior, distribution, population, conservation, mating, nesting, fledging and feeding. I do have some practical knowledge about foreign species, but identification skills are limited in that arena. Bear in mind that as much as I know, it's possible that at least some of you will ask a question that I am unable to answer. At which point I would direct you to wherever or whomever I thought could provide you with that information.
Experience
I have 15 years birding experience in Southern California.
Organizations
Audubon Society
Education/Credentials
My education is in art and photography -but I have a substantial portfolio of nature related work.
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