my 'save the ducks' campaign

[hogshead]

Right aibu or is dh?

We live by a little stream (sounds posh but honestly its not) and there are lots of ducks and we often dabble in the odd "duck rescue" in the spring - redirecting little lost ducklings back towards the stream, throwing some duck food for them, that type of thing. Nothing major.

Over the weekend we saw a lady duck in the garden with five tiny tiny ducklings which is really unusual for this time of year. Now I have turned a bit soft since having ds and I have been worrying about these little ducks what with the weather turning really wintry.

I mentioned to dh about perhaps putting out a little shelter for them in case it snows and now dh thinks I've gone a bit daft. I know its nature's way and all that but they are only tiny things and won't stand a chance.

So please tell me he is bu so he can get building tomorrow night (insert big grin as my phone won't do it )

TBH, not really, all the box will do is trap them when a fox comes - or give them somewhere to live until they pass away - and then you will have little bodies to deal with .

He is right, it is natures way. Put food out or contact a local wildlife rescue and see if anyone can help there.

They may not use a man made sheltet to be honest.

But you might want to call a bird rescue centre and ask for advice if they'll be ok in this weather.

He is BU. They'll be just the right size by spring.

Nom nom nom.

I'd want a shelter for them too, I'm just as soppy.

Yes yes Save the Ducks! They will be lovely and plump by Christmas.

you are all being a bit bad you know, I am not sure the op is thinking about pancakes and plum sauce!

Oh no dh is laughing! He is partial to a bit of duck!

Trouble is I don't think the parish council will do anything. One year they said there were too many ducks and had some culled :(

The ducks legally have right of way in the village which is quite amusing, although not when they dive bomb the washing and leave it covered in poo

Personally I think you should go the whole hog, round them up, and let them live in your bath for the winter! Lol, actually I'm a bit soppy about animals so I would want to protect them too. Is there a local wildlife rescue place you could contact to ask for advice?

I think I will phone a wild life centre tomorrow although WHY we can't have a nice duckhouse i'll never know ........ the local Tory councillor had one on his expenses!

You'd be far better off calling a bird or wildlife sanctuary or ringing around local vets - many of them have lists of rescuers/rehabilitators who will rear and care for such creatures. DO be prepared to meet blank stares, suggestions that you call the RSPCA (NOT recommended) or other unhelpful remarks from vet surgeries until you get a good 'un though, as attitudes and willingness to help vary considerably.

If you are stuck, try your local dog or cat rescue as they may well have contacts or volunteers with duck expertise (speaking from experience here, not completely off my rockker yet).

Failing that please come back on here or pm me with your area and I will see who I can find to help amongdt the animal welfare and rights folk I know. My side is dog rescue but I have rescued the odd duck too and so have a few links there.

HTH. :)

Thanks valhalla. My neighbours did call the rspca last year about a duck with an injured foot and they did come out but couldn't catch him! Although I do see him around :)

It's what they'd do to the poor bugger if they did catch him which would concern me, hogshead. :(

You really would be better off with a knowledgable sanctuary or Animal welfare type and not the RSPCA unless you have a camera crew there.

May I ask if you are in the South East or East Anglia at all?

Or if they don't, they shot three local horses because they couldnt catch them

didn't occur to them to herd them into the field and fix the fence up so they called out the police marksman (who was a worse shot than my 6yo btw)

Oops, sorry, rspca hatred spilling over!

In that case I am glad "hoppy" escaped their clutches!

We are in lincs (hence the reference to the duckhouse and the mp) :)

WHP, don't get me started... . You're not alone!

Hogshead as you're in Lincs I'd suggest that you contact Pact or Hallswood, both of which are in Norfolk.

If you contact Lyz at Hallswood, tell her that the madwoman from Poplar Farm Rescue Kennels recommended her! :)

Oh and PS, if they express any concerns about transport, please get back to me and I'll see what I can do to find help.

Thank you. I must go now but will be back tomorrow. Dh is regretting getting me a phone I can mn on!

Tell him that, if he had not got you that phone, he would be out first thing tomorrow building a duck palace so he should be very happy as, on balance, MNing is preferable to duck house building

evening all - a quick `duckling' update.

I caught up with my neighbour this morning who very kindly agreed to join my `save the ducks' campaign and as she was at home today and has a greater knowledge of local villages issues (apparently the parish council is responsible or takes responsability for the ducks in the village - she has lived here for 25 years more than we have) - she agreed to contact the local parish about the ducklings as i was at work today and DS has been rather unwell (but that is another thread )

Sadly though I have to report that only 3 ducklings were out and about with mother duck this morning when i put out the wild duck food as opposed to the 5 yesterday morning and it is being to sleet here with 2cm of snow forecast for tomorrow morning

hello everyone

thought i would do a quick update.

Sad to say someone from the local wildlife trust did come out but couldnt find the ducklings and since then we have had very cold weather here with loads of snow and it does appear that none of the ducklings made it

thank you for your help and advice though

Circle of life.

I'm sorry. Poor wee things.

We rescued three grown up ducks in the summer who were going to be culled.

they are the best animals. I love them to bits. Stupid as f*ck but really, really lovely. And they pong.

One of my ducks was killed yesterday by my Idiot neighbours evil dogs.
One was bitten but as had surgery and is going to be ok. She's living in the kitchen at the moment, along with the other survivor, while her stitches start to heal. My house looks like the old home of the beverly hill-billies atm.