Baby wood duck won't eat

[THunter]

I had a pair of woodies that hatched off a brood of ducklings. Neighbors dog broke in the pen somehow and killed all but one new duckling. I have him in a brooder but he doesn't seem to have interest in eating the starter feed I give him. Any tricks I should know? I'm used to baby chickens and have never seen them need any coaching.

 

[destinduck]

Unfortunately these need coaching. If you have other baby ducks put him with them. If not at least baby chicks. Sometimes you have to forcefeed them. They are known for this problem ,sometimes even when you take a clutch from the mother not all make it. Thats why I try to be the first thing they see out of the bator. Good luck with him. Hope this helps. Edited to say great tips from Picco too

 

[Picco]

Wood ducklings are notoriously difficult to feed without their parents to show them. Some require a varied diet including live food to stimulate them. Try adding small meal worms and crickets to the feed dish. Adding a domestic duckling of the same age/size can also help via "monkey-see, monkey-do". Putting the brooder outside where insects will be drawn to the heat lamp is another great way to supplement the diet. Wood ducks are a wild species and can take a while getting used to a grain based diet.

 

[desertdarlene]

There was someone in this forum that said baby wood ducks have to fall or they won't eat, so he/she would drop them. I don't know if this is true or correct, so I wouldn't try that just yet. I am hoping that expert wood duck breeders will chime in on this.

 

[destinduck]

Wifes tale! but

 

[desertdarlene]

I was serious, someone in this forum said that, but I don't remember who. They said they would just pick the ducklings up and drop them or they wouldn't eat. I guess it had to do with them jumping out of trees when they're a day old. I don't know if it's true and I certainly don't think people should drop their ducklings!

 

[Matapatos]

We understand someone really said that, but it really isn't true. They don't all hatch out of tree holes, and so even in the wild they are not all "dropped" or "jump started" as someone on here claimed... They'll be fine to drop, some drop 30 ft from trees in the wild onto the ground, water, etc. but for sure they don't need it. Tough little suckers!

Hunter, put it with some others and give it some time. It may be in shock still and will require some time to recover. Don't be disturbing it, its a wild animal and most likely won't enjoy the company of a person, especially after being hatched under the hen...

Travis

 

[desertdarlene]

Yeah, that's pretty cool about them jumping out of trees. I saw a nestcam and when the mom left, they all started jumping like popcorn. It was funny.

I hope your little duckling starts eating soon, THunter! Sorry what happened about the other ones, though.

 

[D'Angelo N Va.]

Quote:
Not a breeder, but I saw the same thing on here about a couple of months ago...I will look for it...

 

[destinduck]

Just so everyone knows. Most dont want to admit it but yep I heard this same deal years ago. I have put them in a box and let them jump out in a vain attempt to get them to eat.Not just once neither

. It never made a difference. You will try every goofy thing there is to get woodies to eat if you have dealt with them alot. Bottom line forcefeed him as last resort, And then,even then he may not eat or live. I stand by my and Picco's advice. And remember you only have a small window to get him to eat anyway