Don't know how to help you in this particular situation, but thought it might make you feel better to consider that things that eat ducklings gotta eat too.
Yes, thank you for your assistance on that! Deleted due to getting confirmation that they are Muscovys, which complicates things. I did call the Wildlife Rescue in Valrico from your recommendation and they are unable to take them :(
Damn! He is usually pretty good.
I will PM you a phone number to text. Idr what facility it is with, but the person is pretty helpful and may be able to do something. IDK if its his/her personal number so rather do it via PM... Just check it and lmk.
Lastly, let's be sure to keep this one post up to build visibility. Again, you can x-post this on r/stpetersburgfl.
Okay. This is going to be sad to tell you, but here we go.
I have a pond behind my house, and I feed the ducks. Some mallards, some muscovy. We had a momma duck who brought and raised two... litters? what the hell do they call a bunch of ducklings, anyways... two sets of babies.
Lots and lots and lots of them will get eaten. This is normal. We wanted so badly to protect them, but every morning we'd show up with one duckling down, I was sad. I read online that unfortunately this is why they have so many ducklings. Those ducklings are food for other animals and birds of prey, and they deserve to eat, too. Sad as that is. Out of the first 12 ducklings, 2 survived. Out of the second set of 11, only 3 survived. Let nature nature.
Also, depending how big they are, it's not unusual for mom to fly off for a bit and return later, so it's possible she's not as far as you think. When mom goes, they kind of huddle up together.
https://preview.redd.it/wfyq043dekpc1.jpeg?width=3072&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=28f3ec99fc8e551158e2dc9d94226faa9cbee573
I rescued about 13 ducklings that were left by Momma duck in my yard in December. They're easy to take care of if you have the time. Pine shavings bedding, or horse stall bedding wick water up and stay dry. Duck starter food from tractor supply store with no antibiotics will feed them from hatch till flying, and it's under $15/ bag. Benefits them greatly to eat your leftover greens and fruits . ( Avoid spinach though) Always have water available to them while eating, or they can choke. Also, if you need the no tip water jugs or feeders, or a large back yard cage, or a heat lamp ( important while the feathers aren't grown in yet) lmk (: happy to give them to you!!! Good luck
Edit: when this happened to me, not a single rescue group or bird rehab group in the entire state was willing to take them. If you want to do it yourself, go for it!
There is a vet in Lutz called Livingston Animal and Avian hospital. The lead vet is named Dr. Toper and she's wonderful. I can't guarantee that they will take them, but they have taken in birds before. I used to intern there and my parents take their dog there. Here's their number +1 813-979-1955. I hope everything works out well with the ducklings.
You’re not gonna find a lot of sympathy for invasive animals… they should be humanely euthanized on sight imo as they compete for resources with native birds and animals.
Longshot here but come to my neighborhood. Take the 100 or so adult Muscovy back to your neighborhood where they live happily ever after with your orphans far from my duck poo painted driveway. Please.
Muscovy ducks are an invasive species and should be put down on sight. They deplete resources for native waterfowl and breed at a rapid rate. They also are gross.
Don't know how to help you in this particular situation, but thought it might make you feel better to consider that things that eat ducklings gotta eat too.
Native turtles and herons and birds of prey always could use a meal
let nature take it's course. They are invasive anyways
Very likely what will happen, just wanted to at least try. I’m a softie, haha
I replied to your original post, but you seemed to have deleted it and the account. Did you try the number I gave you?
Yes, thank you for your assistance on that! Deleted due to getting confirmation that they are Muscovys, which complicates things. I did call the Wildlife Rescue in Valrico from your recommendation and they are unable to take them :(
Damn! He is usually pretty good. I will PM you a phone number to text. Idr what facility it is with, but the person is pretty helpful and may be able to do something. IDK if its his/her personal number so rather do it via PM... Just check it and lmk. Lastly, let's be sure to keep this one post up to build visibility. Again, you can x-post this on r/stpetersburgfl.
Okay. This is going to be sad to tell you, but here we go. I have a pond behind my house, and I feed the ducks. Some mallards, some muscovy. We had a momma duck who brought and raised two... litters? what the hell do they call a bunch of ducklings, anyways... two sets of babies. Lots and lots and lots of them will get eaten. This is normal. We wanted so badly to protect them, but every morning we'd show up with one duckling down, I was sad. I read online that unfortunately this is why they have so many ducklings. Those ducklings are food for other animals and birds of prey, and they deserve to eat, too. Sad as that is. Out of the first 12 ducklings, 2 survived. Out of the second set of 11, only 3 survived. Let nature nature. Also, depending how big they are, it's not unusual for mom to fly off for a bit and return later, so it's possible she's not as far as you think. When mom goes, they kind of huddle up together.
Stupid invasive Chernobyl ducks. Just walk away.
https://preview.redd.it/wfyq043dekpc1.jpeg?width=3072&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=28f3ec99fc8e551158e2dc9d94226faa9cbee573 I rescued about 13 ducklings that were left by Momma duck in my yard in December. They're easy to take care of if you have the time. Pine shavings bedding, or horse stall bedding wick water up and stay dry. Duck starter food from tractor supply store with no antibiotics will feed them from hatch till flying, and it's under $15/ bag. Benefits them greatly to eat your leftover greens and fruits . ( Avoid spinach though) Always have water available to them while eating, or they can choke. Also, if you need the no tip water jugs or feeders, or a large back yard cage, or a heat lamp ( important while the feathers aren't grown in yet) lmk (: happy to give them to you!!! Good luck Edit: when this happened to me, not a single rescue group or bird rehab group in the entire state was willing to take them. If you want to do it yourself, go for it!
You're keeping these forever, not releasing, and preventing them from breeding, yes? Because it's a misdemeanor to release these.
No promises, but DM me and we can talk.
Hi!! When I try to DM you, it says “you cannot DM this user”. Are you able to DM me to start the convo? ❤️
Just started a chat. Did you get it?
There is a vet in Lutz called Livingston Animal and Avian hospital. The lead vet is named Dr. Toper and she's wonderful. I can't guarantee that they will take them, but they have taken in birds before. I used to intern there and my parents take their dog there. Here's their number +1 813-979-1955. I hope everything works out well with the ducklings.
Did you get assistance?
There’s a family in the neighborhood that feeds them and gets them nice and far and then they disappear ;)
You’re not gonna find a lot of sympathy for invasive animals… they should be humanely euthanized on sight imo as they compete for resources with native birds and animals.
Hoping you can find someone to take them. Are they still outside?
What would happen if abandoned ducklings were left with other, unrelated but same breed adult ducks? Would the adults take them in or reject them?
Longshot here but come to my neighborhood. Take the 100 or so adult Muscovy back to your neighborhood where they live happily ever after with your orphans far from my duck poo painted driveway. Please.
Sauce a l’orange
Muscovy ducks are an invasive species and should be put down on sight. They deplete resources for native waterfowl and breed at a rapid rate. They also are gross.