You are probably meaning domestic Mallards, thet are sold by hatcheries and are not wild. released they contaminate the wild gene pool and carry their brand of diseases to the wilds which they have no immunity to. I raise bantam ducks(Calls and East Indies) in wire bottomed pens, i keep bathing tubs in the pens for them and they cam become quite tame. I think it is a bad idea to put any waterfowl on a unattended pond, especially at this time. Waterfowl can do well in a appropriatly sized pen in the yard, they are dirty and need cleaned often under these conditions. It sure beats causing any more problems to the wild population tho. I might have some photos at my site of the calls in a pen? try WINDOVERFARM@groups.msn.com

Sometimes all the eggs do not hatch the same day and a young mother will leave the nest with eggs still hatching. If the weather is warm enough they complete hatching and seek water and food on their own. Sometimes with wood ducks that nest in tree hollows as much as 30' above the ground the ducklings will jump to the ground and if it is a windy day can get blown out of sight and due to the wind noise can't be heard above it and become lost. Sometimes they become prey for any number of other predatory animals. Surprisingly, many times they survive to adulthood. You could let nature take its course, or you could scatter some feed in and near the waters edge, but there should be enough natural food for it to survive on in and around your small pond. If it is a wild duck your state may prohibit you from doing anything other than watch. IÂm sure what ever you decide to do it will be fine. Good Luck!

It is a very common problem. Are they penned at nights? If so, make sure not to release them until at least two hours after daybreak, by which time the duck will almost certainly have laid - probably in a corner of the shed. If they are not shedded and they spend the night on the pond, then it sems she is just laying where she is rather than leave her companions. You probably need to pen them to get any eggs. Despite many years' exerience and a few hundred ducks, I have never had any success in getting ducks to lay in a box. Tens of thousands of hens yes, but ducks, no. It is likely to be the Rouen, because a pure mallard would not normally be laying eggs at this time of year. Old McDonald.

Oh boy, you'd need a robust filtration system for a pond with ducks. Would you be able to build a much larger pond? If you could make room for lots and lots of emergent aquatic plants, such as water hyacinth or cattails, these could help a lot with water purification.