13 new pets. I must be quackers!
- Thread starter Pondrew
- Start date
Spaldingski
Awwww they're adorable!
Error probably, not a lot to do... i can't imagine ducks like being so far from water, my guess is now they're hatched they'll be returning to some water. Once the nest has been empty a few days, remove it.
Error probably, not a lot to do... i can't imagine ducks like being so far from water, my guess is now they're hatched they'll be returning to some water. Once the nest has been empty a few days, remove it.
brillomaster said:
Problem is they can't get out unless I open a gate, which I am loathe to do as there is a main road outside!
They have got to cross through town and many roads to get to the river.
Mother flew in, now she, or they can't fly out.
As said, I don't know what to do for the best. :?
I would be happy to take the ducklings to the river, but not the mother. I don't do 'flappy and aggressive birds' (got two of those in the house already).
Yes, I was thinking of the RSPB, but either may be able to help.Neil CR said:
I have been doing a bit of research and apparently they don't need to be near water for up to 5 weeks, as long as they have some to drink! Which they now have.
So letting them go at present may not be the best thing. I think they only hatched yesterday, or the day before, so are still too weak to travel far apparently.
Going to shoot over to the local pet shop tomorrow, as they have 'duckling food'.
Luckily we have the softest dog ever, so she won't bother them. She will probably run a mile if she sees them.
I’m sure either will give you the advice you needPondrew said:Yes, I was thinking of the RSPB, but either may be able to help.Neil CR said:
I have been doing a bit of research and apparently they don't need to be near water for up to 5 weeks, as long as they have some to drink! Which they now have.
So letting them go at present may not be the best thing. I think they only hatched yesterday, or the day before, so are still too weak to travel far apparently.
Can’t you just let them swim around in the boot of your E89?Pondrew said:I also can't face the thought of letting them find their own way to the river, as they have to pass at least two Chinese takeaways.
Oh and five Polish food shops; but they aren't a concern, as they are too busy selling stolen Carp and Pike from the said river.
Ingredients
½ large orange
1.8kg/4lb whole ready-to-roast duck
2 tsp flaked sea salt, plus extra to season
2 bay leaves
½ onion, cut into four wedges
freshly ground black pepper
For the sauce
½ onion, peeled and thinly sliced
4 tbsp orange liqueur, such as Cointreau
75ml/2½fl oz red wine
1½ large oranges, freshly squeezed juice only (around 150ml/5fl oz)
3 tbsp orange marmalade
2 tsp cornflour (if you want a thinner sauce only use 1 tsp)
½ large orange
1.8kg/4lb whole ready-to-roast duck
2 tsp flaked sea salt, plus extra to season
2 bay leaves
½ onion, cut into four wedges
freshly ground black pepper
For the sauce
½ onion, peeled and thinly sliced
4 tbsp orange liqueur, such as Cointreau
75ml/2½fl oz red wine
1½ large oranges, freshly squeezed juice only (around 150ml/5fl oz)
3 tbsp orange marmalade
2 tsp cornflour (if you want a thinner sauce only use 1 tsp)
They are beautiful Andy and your garden is probably the safest place for them at the moment. We have a child’s plastic paddling pool if you want to borrow it.Pondrew said:I also can't face the thought of letting them find their own way to the river, as they have to pass at least two Chinese takeaways.
Oh and five Polish food shops; but they aren't a concern, as they are too busy selling stolen Carp and Pike from the said river.
Never seen a fox here and there are only a couple of cats but they don't come near as we have a dog.TitanTim said:Sadly unless they find water and cover soon the local neighbourhood cats and foxes will have them
Tim.
Not saying it can't happen but the mother has obviously been sitting on her nest for weeks with no ill effects.
I now feel responsible for their welfare, so need to find out the best thing to do with them. They obviously can't stay here for long.
IRD said:They are beautiful Andy and your garden is probably the safest place for them at the moment. We have a child’s plastic paddling pool if you want to borrow it.
Thanks Ian.
I made an impromptu 'pond' for them from a big shallow plant tray. It's about 3" deep but the mother just sat in it and the ducklings can't get up the sides! They struggled to get up the 2" step onto the patio earlier.
I have now put some timber 'steps' up to the new pond so they could get in but don't think they could get out! I don't want to drown the poor little buggers.
Pondrew said:Never seen a fox here and there are only a couple of cats but they don't come near as we have a dog.TitanTim said:Sadly unless they find water and cover soon the local neighbourhood cats and foxes will have them
Tim.
Not saying it can't happen but the mother has obviously been sitting on her nest for weeks with no ill effects.
I now feel responsible for their welfare, so need to find out the best thing to do with them. They obviously can't stay here for long.
Hopefully they will be ok if she can find a place with some cover. Were plagued by foxes at the moment they come every night, probably as next door has Guinea Pigs plus a couple of badgers
We had some ducklings at work some years ago and thought it best to move them to a nearby river but was advised to leave them as all it will do is stress them and the mother should know what to do. Unfortunately as the days passed we counted less and less of the ducklings until the mother finally led the remaining ones back to the river.
Tim.