Hatched around four months sooner than expected
Eight tiny duckling have been rescued from a roadside in Hampshire having hatched some four months earlier than expected.
The mallards were thought to be just a few days olds when found by the roadside after their mother and three siblings were tragically struck by a car and killed.
The lucky ducklings were taken to Arthur Lodge Veterinary Surgery in Horsham, who contacted Tarnya Knight, a local wildlife carer.
Tarnya believes that it is the unseasonably mild conditions that caused the ducklings to hatch so early.
She said: “Normally you wouldn’t see ducklings until around April, but due to the unusually warm weather this little brood has hatched early. Depending on how cold it is outside, I’ll keep them indoors for a few weeks and then they’ll be moved to a duck pen outside where they will stay until they are old enough to fend for themselves.”
The ducklings have been affectionately named Mike, Carol, Greg, Marcia, Peter, Jan, Bobby and Cindy, after the ‘Brady Bunch’ family.
Tarnya added: ”Despite their sad start to life, these little ones are actually very lucky to have been brought to safety. By the time spring arrives officially, they will be ready to be released back into the wild.”
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
