Abandoned mallard duck not eating

[victoriasofia]

I run a farm animal rescue farm and do not normally deal with ducks. Someone just pulled a baby mallard from a cats mouth and turned it in, no visible injuries.

I called 2 rehabbed and waiting for a call back once they open this morning but in the meantime am looking for help.

Duck is SUPER tiny so not sure if an age but I cant get it to eat anything. Drinking water is going fine when I put it’s beak in water but won’t touch mash, scrambled egg, or non medicated crumble I have out. I feel like it’s getting weaker and I’m worried! Is it normally for them to refuse food at this age? Any other feeding suggestions?

 

[EverythingDucks]

Super cute baby, glad you took him in.

I would assume he's still in shock which is probably why he is not eating. Though he does look very tiny so there is a possibility that he has just hatched and is still full on the yolk.
Another possibility is that his butt is clogged up. You can try using a damp (warm) cotton ball and gently rub it around his vent until he poops. Then try getting him to at least drink some.

@Isaac 0 is there anything else that should be done?

 

[EverythingDucks]

Also, I see that you are new here. Welcome to BackYard Chickens! Glad you joined. Everyone here is very kind and helpful

 

[victoriasofia]

Super cute baby, glad you took him in.

I would assume he's still in shock which is probably why he is not eating. Though he does look very tiny so there is a possibility that he has just hatched and is still full on the yolk.
Another possibility is that his butt is clogged up. You can try using a damp (warm) cotton ball and gently rub it around his vent until he poops. Then try getting him to at least drink some.

@Isaac 0 is there anything else that should be done?

He’s been pretty good at drinking, woke up a couple times during the night to show him the water and each time I showed it to him he followed it up with another couple sips.

Butt seems clear, he had pooped a couple times (2 white watery/1 more solid looking).

 

[casportpony]

While you're waiting for them to call back, make sure it's warm enough. What are you using for a heat source?

 

[victoriasofia]

While you're waiting for them to call back, make sure it's warm enough. What are you using for a heat source?

We have chickens so we used a cozy coop panel.

 

[casportpony]

Can you get a heat lamp?

 

[victoriasofia]

Can you get a heat lamp?

We just tossed our last heat lamp after it caused a fire :/ The heat plate I’m using is the same one we use for our baby chicks though?

 

[victoriasofia]

While you're waiting for them to call back, make sure it's warm enough. What are you using for a heat source?

Okay I have added a heat lamp for now. I tried calling the rehab again and answering machine again.

 

[victoriasofia]

Duckling doesn’t seem to be doing well, very weak and stopped chirping completely.
I have an incubator, so you think it’s worth putting it in the incubator to see if it warms up/dries off any faster?