Can ducklings survive without their mother?

While ducklings are precocial and can swim and feed themselves within a few hours of hatching, they still rely on their mother's care for warmth, protection, and guidance. In the wild, ducklings that lose their mother have a much lower chance of survival than those who are raised by her.

Mallard Muscovy

Mother ducks provide food for their young, such as insects, small fish, and vegetation, and they also lead them to safe feeding areas. They brood their ducklings to keep them warm and dry, and they protect them from predators. They teach them how to swim and forage, and they help them to learn how to avoid predators.

Ducklings typically stay with their mother until they are about 2 months old, at which point they become independent. However, some ducklings may stay with their mother for longer, especially if she has a new brood of ducklings.