Abandoned wild duckling

[Jlmiller5289]

My neighbor found this little one in their yard and since they know I have ducks, they brought it to me

My own ducks are currently 9 weeks old and I’m keeping them separate from this one. I have a female Rouen and a male Chocolate Runner.

I’m not sure on age, guessing around a day old?

Also it’s holding its wings straight out to the side? Not sure if that’s normal or a niacin deficiency, because I don’t remember mine doing that. I already have everything I need for it (crumbles, heat lamp, niacin etc) It hasn’t eaten yet and it keeps trying to lay in its water But it seems healthy and active.

When can I introduce it to my ducks? I’m worried about it being alone

Any other advice would be greatly appriciated. TIA

 

[HeatherKellyB]

If it's indeed wild, it'd be a good idea to contact a waterfowl rescue center or wildlife rehabilitation center

 

[HeatherKellyB]

It looks so much like the Canada goslings that just hatched here. I know you said it's a duck and I'm not saying you're wrong. It's absolutely adorable!!! I had Mallards hatch out just about 2 months ago and they've already left us. The Canada Geese are the latest to hatch. They are 5 weeks old and they walk across the street right before dark to a large lake to sleep but make the trip back every morning for what I suspect is the guaranteed food. My chickens alert like crazy whenever they see them walking through the woods to get to the pond.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

It's illegal to keep some wild animals so that's why I suggested you contact someone to help. In the meantime, my wild ducklings and goslings (they're not actually mine, but they hatched out here and their parents raise their babies here for a while, every year) eat an all flock crumble. The ones here prefer Purina Flock Raiser Crumbles. I don't supplement them with anything else but I'm not 100% sure what the parents are teaching them to eat, other than the feed I have for them.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

@Isaac 0 @Pyxis
Tagging a couple of folks that have a lot of experience with this topic. I wish you the best and hope you'll keep us updated on this precious little cutie!

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Did your neighbors try to locate this ones flock or parent/s?

 

[21hens-incharge]

The Migratory Bird Treaty Act prohibits the taking, killing, capturing, transporting, harboring of the birds or hatching eggs, that which are Native to the United States of America. All are protected by state and federal agencies.

https://www.fws.gov/birds/policies-and-regulations/laws-legislations/migratory-bird-treaty-act.php

Any threads started on this subject will be closed.

Thank you for your understanding.

-BYC Staff