Wild mallards vs. domestic?

[melissamerry]

TreeTrunks had quite the conversation with some distant wild mallards this morning. I think my three white mallards figured out they are ducks today. A few hours later the wild ones were sunbathing on the lawn next to our patio.

Should I take precautions and view this as a threat? They might just be curious, this has always been their spring hangout ( as I've been told by the neighbors) and maybe they want to see what my white quackers are.

Is it likely that they might be diseased? Or try to hurt my little babies? I feel like I need to make sure they are kept separate, or am I being overly protective?

You can see my three white babies checking out the wild beauties here. There were about 20 or so all over the complex today in various places.

 

[Frank Phinster]

Are your ducks the three white ones near the veranda? In that case, they are too large to be harmed by the wild mallards. If you have any ducklings nearby, the mallards might be hostile.

The ducks might carry desease, you cannot fully exclude that, but ducks are actually very resistant to germs and don't get sick that easily.
If the wild mallards appear to be healthy and vital, they should be okay and if your ducks are in good shape, they are unlikely to catch anything. Seperating is not necessary. Maybe your ducks will be territorial and try to chase the wild mallards away.

 

[desertdarlene]

Usually, studies show that domestic ducks are more likely to pass on something to the wild mallards. But, generally you don't have to worry about healthy wild mallards. They are unlikely to hurt your ducks if they are the same size.

 

[jdywntr]

TreeTrunks had quite the conversation with some distant wild mallards this morning. I think my three white mallards figured out they are ducks today. A few hours later the wild ones were sunbathing on the lawn next to our patio.

Should I take precautions and view this as a threat? I would. They might just be curious, this has always been their spring hangout ( as I've been told by the neighbors) and maybe they want to see what my white quackers are.

Is it likely that they might be diseased? Wild birds migrate so they could be carriers of a disease that is not common in your area and that your birds are not resistant to. Or try to hurt my little babies? Doubtful I feel like I need to make sure they are kept separate, or am I being overly protective? I don't think you are being overly protective.

Just because an animal appears healthy does not mean that it is not carrying a disease. Think influenza, small pox and measels brought by European explorers that decimated native tribes.

I wouldn't want wild ducks/geese hanging out with my flock as I don't know where they've been or what they have.

To me, this is common sense.

 

[melissamerry]

I definitely don't plan on socializing them, that seems obvious. I just don't know how territorial ducks are. I wouldn't want either of them to try to harm each other.

I know my ducks chase off the little birds that fly in trying to snag their leftovers.