Posted by dawn housholder on April 22, 2007

Q: We live in just on the edge of town and have a pond a few houses down the street. We have a Mother-to-be dcuk who really looks like a Mallard (from internet picture comparisons) who has laid a nest on top of one of our sheds in our back yard. She has a beautiful little nest that is home to eight eggs. We have dogs and are very concered for the well being of the babies upon their arrival. I know that is part of nature for them not to make it but I just can not sit and let something happen to such an innocet animal. Is there something we can do for her and her babies to protect them or someone that we can call to help her out?

Habitat: suburban/yard

State: Indiana

Habitat: suburban/yard

A: Now that's one smart duck! Good place to nest and avoid predators. First off, I hope you can remember the date when your Mallard began incubation (actually sitting on the nest rather than just laying eggs in it). If you know the date or can approximate the date, you can figure on 26-30 days for incubation to take before the ducklings hatch. Once they hatch, they'll tumble off the roof but this shouldn't be a problem. I'd simply keep my dogs in the house or out of the way during this time to insure that the ducklings aren't harmed. Actually, depending on your dogs, they may not even be very interested in the ducks. Once in the pond, your ducklings will be most vulnerable to Snapping Turtles. At my pond, I always watch for snappers in the spring (they come into the shallows to warm their bodies) and remove them prior to duck and geese hatchings. Also, don't mow right down to the pond's edge - the mother and babies need places where they can get out of the water and be hidden .

Best of luck. Baby ducklings are a real joy to watch as they grow.

John Wiessinger ( April 22, 2007)