I went to pull weeds on side of my office building and found a duck sitting on a nest with 7 eggs. The nearest body of water is 2 blocks away across a busy street so I have no idea how she wound up there. I purchased duck pellets and put them out in a dish but she's not eating. She did eat some bread scraps the other day.
I don't know if it's just the mother sitting on the eggs. We tried putting out a dish of water, cause at times it seems so hot when the sun hits there that she is panting a bit. She's not drinking our water either. We have not touched the nest or eggs, but we are worried the duck and/or ducklings will die. Animal control won't help until the eggs hatch.
She's been there about a week. She left once and the eggs were gone but we realize that she must have buried them because now she's back sitting on the nest and the eggs are there. I am so worried that if they do hatch, that the duck and ducklings will get hit by a car trying to make it across the busy street. Can anyone offer any advice?
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The mother has chosen this spot for reasons that only she knows and will probably try to stay in that spot until her eggs hatch. the eggs are laid 1 or 2 days apart and they will hatch in the same manner so she will be with the ducklings for several days after the first egg hatches. The ducklings will also have to gain strength before leaving the nest so if you keep track of when the eggs start to hatch you will have plenty of time to contact the wildlife agency in your area.
You can always leave water for her but she may not want any human contact and will not drink it.
As to food, that is probably not a good idea and leftover food could attract other animals and they may do her or her eggs harm.
You can always call the wildlife agency and ask about what you can or should do or not do.
Do you have a department of wildlife near you? Sometimes neighborhood Facebook groups know of people who can help.
I am guessing from your user name, you are in NJ.
Try getting ahold of one of the following:
NJ Dept. of Environmental Protection 856-785-0730
Call City Wildlife at (202) 882-1000
or the Humane Rescue Alliance at 202-723-5730, ext. 2
I'm sure they will tell you what to do.
It would be best to let nature take its course. She may be a mallard. Mallard eggs are incubated for 27-28 days, a typical clutch is 10-15 eggs.
Under the 1918 Migratory Bird Treaty Act, disturbing a nesting mallard or taking its eggs is a federal crime.
Therefore, in no case do not try to move the nest yourself. Contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
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