Young ducks quickly lose contact with their families on their walks on land if they are disturbed by loose dogs or traffic. If there is no acute danger to life, the birds should be left alone.
A duckling should never be raised alone
Don't act too quickly
Ducks in the garden are not uncommon in cities. If you find a seemingly abandoned chick, don't act rashly. The mothers leave their young behind when they have been startled by predators such as cats, birds of prey or martens. In most cases, they come back after an indefinite period of time. This can take minutes or hours. The family finds each other again through calls. Since mallards are among the protected species and are subject to the Nature Conservation Act, collection is prohibited.
Avoid solitary rearing
Ducks are precocial, leaving the nest shortly after hatching. They grow up with their conspecifics and learn important survival strategies from each other. Therefore, ducklings in human care should not be raised individually. Such an approach harbors the risk that the birds have no chance of surviving in nature after being released. Contact a conservation organization to find a suitable sanctuary for neglected animals.
feeding
Young ducklings initially feed on insect larvae. Later, meadow herbs and aquatic plants, cereals and insects form the main part of the diet. Chamomile tea and soft-boiled vegetables that must not be seasoned are suitable for feeding weakened animals. If the young animal can run around in the garden independently, it will look for greens, worms and snails.
You can feed:
- boiled potatoes and eggs with cucumber
- chopped grass, nettles and dandelions
- Special feed for poultry
- soaked breadcrumbs, provided they are unsalted
tips
The little mallards need constant fresh water. Offer them several shallow bowls that are no more than an inch deep.
rearing conditions
Ducklings need a heat source. The temperature should be evenly at 20 degrees Celsius. An infrared lamp with 60 to 80 watts creates optimal heat conditions in the first two to three weeks of life. Fresh and dry bedding is equally important so that the little ones do not get hypothermic. Ensure that there is no draft in the room.