Here they come again, migrating ducks. The fall waterfowl migration is in full swing with ducks and geese landing anywhere they please. This includes your backyard especially if you have a pool. Ducks and geese are federally protected so disturbing them can get dicey.
If they take up residence in your backyard you will have your work cut out for you. If you have a pool try filling it with large inflatable snakes, beach balls, noodles, and other such floaties. Apparently, the ducks think it is too crowded and will go to your neighbors. I have also heard of folks using bird netting and owl decoys as a deterrent. They can be getting a short rest on their southern migration trips but they can also be shopping for a nesting area before the mating season. The other news (good or bad) is once they find a nesting spot they tend to come back to it every year. One course of action during this migration is to just enjoy them and watch Mother Nature at her finest. But be advised, Mother Nature is a cold-blooded woman and you will see the natural selection process first hand.
Ducks have been feeding themselves and their duckling for centuries. Even though they don’t need our help, some like to help Momma Nature out and feed the ducks. Almost anything is better than nothing but pick the feed carefully. Ducks will eat almost anything as the term “duck on a June bug” suggests. However, in the wild, they have a bigger feeding area than in your backyard. I am not a big fan of cross-species feeding. For this reason, dog and cat food are out. Folks will also feed corn, bread, and chicken food. Feeding such products will not allow them to reach their full potential. It is however preferable to starving to death (but they won’t). Obviously feeding a complete diet, engineered for waterfowl is preferred. Mazuri’s Waterfowl Starter feed is designed for newly hatched ducklings, goslings, and swanlings, as well as adolescent birds. Wells Brothers also sells Mazrui Waterfowl Maintenance feed and it’s the best of the best you can feed our feathered aquatic friends. We also sell Duck Pond Medley, a special treat for ducks and geese.
Duck hunting season opened on October 31, 2020. Make sure you are up on all the rules and regulations for 2020. Click here for duck recipes
