[KATurner]

Hi everyone!

I am in need of some advice.
I have a rescued lady mallard, about 7 months old. She was a couple of days old when rescued found away from a pond and unable to walk properly. So i took her home (we have chickens but never had ducks) and she thrived, and since i have been unable to part with her as she took a while to get back to walking straight (without looking under the influence!)
She is very much a pet now, comes in the house in the evenings (sleeps in a hutch in the conservatory at night) and even sits on the sofa. Shes very content, and we have two ponds, average size so shes got everything she needs...apart from a mate.
We discovered her first lovely egg in her hutch today, and i thought she was hanging rather low last night. So i was wondering what i should do?
I have let her out this afternoon (free range) and will go on the hunt to see if there is any hiding places if shes had more. How many shall i expect?

I feel so proud. But also guilty, about her needing a mate. I work on a farm and have contacts for fertile eggs, but would obviously need to think about her rearing and if its appropriate for us and her.

Or will she give up after this clutch? And can you eat them? They are beautiful!

Thanks everyone. I better go out and see where shes got to now, under some shrubs. Have a feeling im going on a wild duck chase   

[Spana]

We've eaten Mallard eggs but only when they are laid in the nest boxes, never from on the bank.
If you want ducklings- and they needn't be mallards- leave her to lay a clutch in her hutch and she should go broody.  You'll then have to swap the eggs for fertile ones if you are sure she hasn't been got at by a passing  drake.  The drakes show no interest in their offspring so she'll be ok rearing them on her own.  From what I see, the poor ducks go through hell.  The drakes are such bullies shes better off on her own

Shes  a luckly little girl.   :happy:

I've got a young Canada goose here whos wing was damaged just after hatching last year.  It was pitiful when the others flew off and left it at the end of the summer.  I'm just waiting to see if a mate flies in this spring.

[jinty1911]

We've eaten Mallard eggs but only when they are laid in the nest boxes, never from on the bank.
If you want ducklings- and they needn't be mallards- leave her to lay a clutch in her hutch and she should go broody.  You'll then have to swap the eggs for fertile ones if you are sure she hasn't been got at by a passing  drake.  The drakes show no interest in their offspring so she'll be ok rearing them on her own.  From what I see, the poor ducks go through hell.  The drakes are such bullies shes better off on her own

Shes  a luckly little girl.   :happy:

I've got a young Canada goose here whos wing was damaged just after hatching last year.  It was pitiful when the others flew off and left it at the end of the summer.  I'm just waiting to see if a mate flies in this spring.

[Kate and her Ducks]

She sounds thougherly spoilt! No-one would find me allowing a duck into the house!

(Ahem, embarrassed blush )

Yes of course you can eat the eggs but if she hasn't got a mate then they won't be fertile so if you decide to let her sit she will need some fertile eggs so they will hatch and reward her patience. Domestic ducks have a terrible reputation as mothers but mallards are much better.

Before you let her sit (if she is that way inclined) consider what you will do with any offspring. Generally at least 50% will be male and the optimal ratio is no more than 1 : 3 males to females and they are not at all fussed about incest!

If you do plan on increasing your duck flock have you had a think about what you want from the new additions?

Very jealous about beautiful duck egg blue eggs though!

[KATurner]

Thank you for your replies everyone 

Oh yes she is spoilt, but when they are so small, fluffy and an orphan you cant help cuddle them, and she has now become accustomed even as a big girl. She is next to me on the sofa (on her own poop blanket i hastened to add!) talking away.

Also, she is still 'hanging low' so am i right in assuming she has more eggs on the way? And shes flicking her wing feathers impatiently, she has been all day. I am wondering if she is over heated? Or flirting with me, haha. Or uncomfortable perhaps?

The farm I work at has a pond with lots of ducks and geese so have thought about releasing her, but i am worried about the foxes which we occasionally have. And especially since she loves watching the tv 

I am unsure about having her hatch. I am quite busy on and off and my hens are old now and only just tolerated this little girl in their garden. However, i fear they have not much longer (they are 4 year old hybrids, three of them, and one popped it in sept) so may consider hatching once they pop it.
If this is the case, how will she fair until then? Will she keep popping out eggs or will this be it for a year? She has only had the one we found and hasnt given it a second look at all today and weve left it in her hutch.
Guess well see what we find in the morning! Popping out that beautiful egg has sure quietened her, she looked almost traumatised haha.
I feel so proud bless her.

Thanks again everyone!

[Kate and her Ducks]

You can expect her to manage probably a maximum of 50 eggs over spring if you keep taking them away and put off her going broody.

As to company, ducks really like company and even chickens will not really fill that hole for her. If you are dubious about hatching (which is always sensible) it might be worth getting her at least one female friend. The problem is that is you get an adult the chances are that in won't be anywhere as friendly and if you are busy a new duckling is always a bit of a palaver.

Do think seriously about finding her some ducky company.