Ducklings!

[widiot]

Hi everyone. Nearby to where I live we have a brook,which is occupied by numerous mallards. A few of these have gotten quite tame and regularly enter the local cafe and get fed by the owner. She was more than a little surprised when yesterday the adult female turned up and came in with 12 youngsters. They were newly hatched,and she tried to offer them food,but being so young they either didnt know what it was,or couldnt eat it. Today they have returned,and unsurprisingly given the weather there are only 8 left. She is a little worried and would like to help them. Is there anything she can do,or should she just let natural selection take its course,as its unlikely that any will survive in the current sub zero temperatures.

[healfdan]

In the present climate I think you only have one choice and that is to seek the advice of your nearest wildlife hospital. If you are not sure where this is contact RSPCA and hopefully they will point you in the right direction.

[Cowgirl]

I agree, they wont last long with hungry predators around & if the water freezes up, even more so.