Baby duck won't eat

[HuskerHens18]

Keep us updated on Lil Argo

I went and checked on him (it's now 1:41am) and he was panting so I dipped his beak in the water and instead he inhaled the water! He's making clicking noises now and shakes his head every few minutes. Is there something I can do for him? I figure he was hot so I moved him farther from the heat lamp. I feel awful, I just want to help him.

 

[Lil Drake40]

I don’t know what can be done I am sorry this happened. I can only think to call fish and game they might know of a rehabber in your area who can help

 

[Lil Drake40]

How’s the little one this morning?

 

[Lil Drake40]

Maybe laying Argo across you leg with his head tilted down some would help bring up the water? You know similar to how we do a baby when they choke on milk?instead of patting his back just gently move you leg up and down.

 

[chickens really]

Clicking could be from getting water in his lungs. Aspirated possibly. Wet it's feed and use the tip of your finger with feed on it. Never force them to eat or drink.

 

[HuskerHens18]

Clicking could be from getting water in his lungs. Aspirated possibly. Wet it's feed and use the tip of your finger with feed on it. Never force them to eat or drink.

How’s the little one this morning?

I think he may have been sick. This morning around 8 he stopped clicking and shaking and was running around all normal, pooping, peeping, so I was flooded with relief maybe I overreacted. He still wouldn't eat or touch his water, but after that scare I wasn't going to try again. So I went to the store to get some veggies because I read baby ducks might like carrots and kale shredded in their mash feed and when I cameback he had passed away on his side.
I read online on so many sources they know how to eat and drink right after hatching and he just had NO interest in anything. I have lizards so I even tried seeing if he'd chase a mealworm and he wouldn't even look at it. I tried a shallow bowl with water instead of a chicken waterer, still nothing. I tried putting mash on his bill and he'd just shake it off. I had a mirror and a baby duck sized plush animal with him and wouldn't acknowledge they were there. I put him on the floor thinking maybe he hated his enclosure and he just walked around aimlessly, wouldn't hide, just walked.
He would jump around everywhere, he loved jumping. He jumped on me, he jumped on my phone when I'd try taking pictures, he just loved to jump.
I hate that I stressed him out last night, I was just scared he was dehydrated and when I had previous baby ducks, to show them where the water is we'd dip their bills in it, my parents even did this when I was a child with ducklings. Never have we had an issue such as this and I'm in tears thinking I may have just killed him. He was so sweet and innocent with a rough start at life, and he didn't even get to live. I called my dad and told him what's happened and he thinks Argo was sick in the first place, probably why he was abandoned. Maybe Dad was just trying to make me feel better, I don't know. I'm so sorry guys, I feel like the most inexperienced duck owner right now and I've raised them myself for six years. I'm so sorry

 

[chickens really]

I think he may have been sick. This morning around 8 he stopped clicking and shaking and was running around all normal, pooping, peeping, so I was flooded with relief maybe I overreacted. He still wouldn't eat or touch his water, but after that scare I wasn't going to try again. So I went to the store to get some veggies because I read baby ducks might like carrots and kale shredded in their mash feed and when I cameback he had passed away on his side.
I read online on so many sources they know how to eat and drink right after hatching and he just had NO interest in anything. I have lizards so I even tried seeing if he'd chase a mealworm and he wouldn't even look at it. I tried a shallow bowl with water instead of a chicken waterer, still nothing. I tried putting mash on his bill and he'd just shake it off. I had a mirror and a baby duck sized plush animal with him and wouldn't acknowledge they were there. I put him on the floor thinking maybe he hated his enclosure and he just walked around aimlessly, wouldn't hide, just walked.
He would jump around everywhere, he loved jumping. He jumped on me, he jumped on my phone when I'd try taking pictures, he just loved to jump.
I hate that I stressed him out last night, I was just scared he was dehydrated and when I had previous baby ducks, to show them where the water is we'd dip their bills in it, my parents even did this when I was a child with ducklings. Never have we had an issue such as this and I'm in tears thinking I may have just killed him. He was so sweet and innocent with a rough start at life, and he didn't even get to live. I called my dad and told him what's happened and he thinks Argo was sick in the first place, probably why he was abandoned. Maybe Dad was just trying to make me feel better, I don't know. I'm so sorry guys, I feel like the most inexperienced duck owner right now and I've raised them myself for six years. I'm so sorry

Definitely possibly why it's Momma left it behind too. I just had one with Dwarfism and Momma killed it. Survival of the fittest. Momma Doesn't have human emotions so dispatches quickly..Sorry you tried..

 

[HuskerHens18]

Definitely possibly why it's Momma left it behind too. I just had one with Dwarfism and Momma killed it. Survival of the fittest. Momma Doesn't have human emotions so dispatches quickly..Sorry you tried..

As I've gotten older, I've begun understanding why dads never liked it when we bring home baby animals to "save" or "raise". Because 90% of the time they die and then we're heartbroken. Just last week my 8y/o cat was put to sleep with a severe blood infection he had hidden from both me and the vet for over three months.
I suppose I should be focusing on the animals I have now, not trying to be a savior for all that come across my path. Then again it's hard when it feels like they're begging you for help.

 

[chickens really]

As I've gotten older, I've begun understanding why dads never liked it when we bring home baby animals to "save" or "raise". Because 90% of the time they die and then we're heartbroken. Just last week my 8y/o cat was put to sleep with a severe blood infection he had hidden from both me and the vet for over three months.
I suppose I should be focusing on the animals I have now, not trying to be a savior for all that come across my path. Then again it's hard when it feels like they're begging you for help.

Definitely we all are guilty of trying to save them. Although if left to let nature take its course its better off in the end..

 

[casportpony]

I suppose I should be focusing on the animals I have now, not trying to be a savior for all that come across my path. Then again it's hard when it feels like they're begging you for help.

Very sorry for your loss. We can't save all of them, but it doesn't mean we should stop trying. Again, so sorry for your loss,