Baby duckling rescued from cat.. help!

[MROO]

How long should it be quarantined for? I've never rescued a duck before but I knew it wouldn't have stood a chance.
I'd like to do it myself and when it's ready to go out I'd like it to have the option of leaving or staying. Are there any risks to the chick raising aND then releasing? I wouldn't mind keeping it with my flock if it decides to stay

No less than two weeks (comparing it to the standard 10-14 day incubation periods we give ourselves and our kids.) Three would be better. If you want it to have a chance, if it decides to move on (which it may well do, with other ducks nearby) you'll want to handle it as little as possible, so it doesn't get dependent on people for socialization. A wild duck that approaches people, or isn't afraid of dogs, is likely to get hurt pretty quickly.
If you're in the US, it's illegal in most states to keep wild fowl without a permit. But then ... if you had other ducks and it was part of a domestic flock ... well, just sayin'!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

At this age, isn't there a danger of the duckling imprinting on the rescuer and/or the chickens? That would make it virtually impossible for it to return to the wild or be rehabbed scially even in as little as 3 weeks.

I feel she should get it to a wildlife rescue ASAP so it can hopfully hook up with other ducks at the earliest opportunity.

Good luck to the little one!

 

[Svaness]

No less than two weeks (comparing it to the standard 10-14 day incubation periods we give ourselves and our kids.) Three would be better. If you want it to have a chance, if it decides to move on (which it may well do, with other ducks nearby) you'll want to handle it as little as possible, so it doesn't get dependent on people for socialization. A wild duck that approaches people, or isn't afraid of dogs, is likely to get hurt pretty quickly.
If you're in the US, it's illegal in most states to keep wild fowl without a permit. But then ... if you had other ducks and it was part of a domestic flock ... well, just sayin'!

I'm in canada I'm not sure what the regulations are. The little guy made it through the night so that's a relief... I wouldn't mind keeping the little cutie