Part of the Anatidae bird family that also includes geese and swans, ducks are found on every continent except Antarctica. They have been domesticated as pets and farm animals for hundreds of years, and their popularity is evidenced by their frequent appearances as everything from cartoon characters to sports team mascots. But they are frequently raised in extreme confinement on factory farms for their eggs and meat, and the force-feeding of ducks to produce foie gras is particularly stressful and unhealthy.
Don’t feed the birds
Feeding wild ducks at the neighborhood pond or local park might seem like an inviting way to bond with nature, but it’s not always healthy for our feathered friends. Ducks can find a balanced diet—including grains, grasses, aquatic plants, insects and crustaceans—on their own in the wild. But people often feed them bread, crackers and human “junk food”—none of which provides the protein, nutrients and minerals that ducks need. If you’re going to feed ducks, stick to nutritional offerings like cracked corn, rice and birdseed. And keep it bite-sized: Ducks don’t chew.
HOW TO PREVENT DUCK PROBLEMS FOR POOL OWNERS
Never, Ever Feed Ducks - It Only Keeps Them From Looking For Natural Food On Their Own!
Prevention
Cut back shrubbery to discourage mallard nesting building behavior. Make sure there are no hiding places to build a nest.
Cover the pool to prevent the problem. If pool cannot be covered, float an inflatable swan (a natural enemy of ducks) in the pool. String reflective mylar strips above the pool so the ducks won't be able to land. Pool covers will save energy/electricity and water. Do not put food out for them; that will make them stay.
Ducks should be discouraged from building their nests where the ducklings will be at real risk upon hatching. Such instances would be in backyards near pools, especially if the property is not close to any parks or golf courses that have water. There is normally no second chance for abandoned ducklings, their best chance for survival is with their mother. If you try to catch the mother, she may panic and flyaway. She may not return to her young.
Look for a nest in nearby bushes, ivy or other groundcover. Remove the nest material so you won't end up with ducklings in pool. It is not illegal to remove the nest or scare off the parents. It is illegal to harm them once they hatch. If you see a female mallard (the brown one) looking around in the bushes for a site to make a nest (often with the male following her), scare them off with a hose, loud noises, and be persistent about it. Keep deterring them so they will go somewhere else.
Ducklings In Pool
Once they have hatched, and start getting in the pool, they will drown because they will not be able to get out. Provide a ramp for them to leave the water. Keeping the mother and babies together, encourage them to leave by shooing them out. Never get between the mother and her ducklings. Leave a gate open. She will lead her babies to the nearest water, even though you may not know where she is taking them. Do not attempt to pick up the ducklings for relocation; mom will fly away, often abandoning her young. Do not put food out for them, that will make them stay.
Never attempt to raise ducklings on your own. Rearing ducklings is a long, messy, time-consuming process. The ducklings need the instruction their mother gives them in order to find food on their own and to avoid predators. It takes at least two months to raise a brood. It is best to pass the youngsters on to an expert rehabilitator. It is against the law in California to raise native wildlife unless you are a licensed rehabilitator with the California Department of Fish and Game.
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