So we're doing some weeding in the flower bed in our backyard the other day and what do we come across....a Mallard duck nest with 11 little eggs in it
I hope they all survive. The yard is fenced so we're not to worried about them getting bothered by other animals and the mom keeps a good eye out. We had taken some of the shelter in our weeding away before we noticed them hiding in there so we stuck a big flower pot in front of the hole as to make sure they weren't visible and to provide some shelter from the weather. I dont know what else we can do or if we should do anything now or when the babies hatch...any ideas?

TheFrog said:

PurpleThunder said:

Surely you're going to eat at least one, no?

i just think duck eggs are really tasty.

TheFrog said:

Eat them Never!!

TheFrog said:

Maybe...but have you eaten Mallard eggs??

PurpleThunder said:

send me one in the post and i will do!

PurpleThunder said:

Fertilised Duck Eggs

awwww cute, we have lots of swallow nests round our house, the babies are so loud i can't wait to see the little fledgelings



hope they survive

TheFrog said:

Come and get it I'll even pick up beer and make you a salad

PurpleThunder said:

make it a 12-pack and it's a deal.

p0pstar said:

Yeah I think we'll call the Fort Whyte Center to come get them when they're born if the mom leaves them...which we are afraid she might cause until they can fly she wont be able to get them outta the yard

TheFrog said:

Only 12? Whats that supposed to do...

PurpleThunder said:

one beer to wash down each egg.

then one afterwards as a prize for eating them all.

awwww. you lucky@!!!!! i love baby ducklings. they're the epitome of sweetness. put some food and water out for them and make sure predators can't get to them.

i'm conflicted because for the last few weeks a mother raccoon and her four babies have been living in the tree right outside my third floor window. they're absolutely adorable yet i know they'll snack on birds' eggs or even little chicks if they find them.

TheFrog said:

You've got the right idea, but just make sure you don't spend too much time close to the nest and definitely don't handle them. Birds especially are known for abandoning their young if humans interfere too much. But the protection is good.

TheFrog said:

Yes but to hang out with you I will need 12 as well

GangstaFam said:

Yeah I havent gone in the backyard since the other day. I'm hardly home so they'll have peace

awww ... how cute. I know they can fall prey to predators quite easily as the place I work sometimes had ducklings which nearly always go missing

I don't know how to keep them safe though

damn! you know it's getting soggy in the peg when the ducks start looking for higher ground!


once they hatch could you pop a board off of the fence so they could get out???


did you see when they shut down traffic in downtown saskabush one day for two hours as they guided a family of geese back to the river?

emm said:

Well Im hoping that since the mamma made her nest there she has some sort of plan, I think we'll just leave the gate open so they can scurry out during the day.

i have nothing to say, really. i just clicked on this thread again because of the duckling pics. ..

XxAxX said:

They're cute huh...I cant wait til they're wobbling around the backyard!