Bonded duckling and chick? Can you help ID them?

[frankensusan]

Hey everyone, between scrambling for proper housing, I've been browsing this forum and tons of websites and finally decided to just ask. Can't hurt too much to ask right?!

I just became the foster mom of a domestic chick and domestic duckling that were dumped on a wildlife rehab center. They appear to be bonded and cry so loudly when separated from each other and from myself.

Here's the best pic I've caught so far of them.

Can anyone tell me what I'm in for here? Approx age, and ID?

I'm already loving them.

Thanks for any advice.

Susan
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[frankensusan]

Here's a better picture of the chick, even tho the duckling is blurry. hehe. Can't get them to both stand still at the same time!

Mostly I am trying to figure out the ages on these guys so I can gauge appropriate feeding and temperature.

Thanks,

Susan

 

[Critter Crazy]

I would guess the Duck is a pekin, and no clue on the chick. They both look to be maybe 2 weeks old, maybe a little older.

 

[justusnak]

What cuties! Dumped?? Hmmm, maybe a month old or so? ( Easter pets) I too would say peking....and...maybe a red sex link? Not too sure. CUTIES THO!!

Are you going to keep them or find them homes? Where are you located?

Oh, and it never hurts to ask....thats what everyone is here for, to learn, and share advise. Enjoy those babies....

 

[ella]

The little chick looks like a Partridge Rock. Very cute! The duckling could also be a Buff, but I agree Pekin is more likely.

From the feathering on the chick I'd guess about 2 1/2 weeks old. By 5 weeks chicks usually have all their feathers.

How sweet of you to foster them! Kudos!

 

[frankensusan]

Partridge Rock! I looked up chick pics of it and it sure does look like a match, Thanks!

We were guessing too that they were easter basket babies. Not a lot of farms around here, I wish people would think these things through.

Once I'm sure they are healthy I'll probably be looking for homes for them. I have a 4' x 8' aviary but a quail and bunny live there together and I'm not sure they'd welcome a chicken and a duck. Plus the neighbors don't hear the quail or bunny so I don't get complaints. I'm pretty sure they'll hear a duck! And if that chick is a male! whoo weee!

We had them outside today in the sun in a pen, I'm head over heels.

Little chick is very very underfed tho, or potentially sick. Sharp keel. It stuffed it's little self crop so full it looks like a second head! Still waiting to see if it can process that food, it's pooping so I'm hopeful. Poor dear.

Duckling is very enthusiastic and curious. I think the chick thinks the duckling is it's Mom.

So far both eating chick starter mash.

Night all. Thanks for the info and support. I really wish I lived on a farm!!!

Susan

 

[silkiechicken]

Make sure your starter mash is not medicated. Duckies eat too much of it and its not so good for them.

 

[frankensusan]

Ok. I'm obsessed! First I thought they were peeping too much, especially when I walked by, or they heard my voice...

Now I'm worried because they aren't peeping as much anymore. They seem to be acting normally otherwise, eating scratching, walking around, no longer gorging on food. They call for just a minute when I leave now instead of constantly. Did I finally get them full? Do they cry when hungry?

I wonder if they'd been fed anything healthy at all? Little chicken's keel is not so sharp anymore already!

Just wondering out loud. It's going to be hard to give them up when the fostering is done.

Love these guys.

Susan

 

[ella]

They're probably not peeping as much because they feel safe and secure where they are.

Sound like you're doing a great job...is there any chance you'll keep them?

 

[frankensusan]

Hi Ella!

It sure seems like they feel safe now which makes me very happy. They sure were constantly noisy the first 2 days!!! Now they are only noisy if I'm talking to someone and they can't see me! Chick is pecking and scratching more like normal now. adorable, I've never had a chick before, had ducklings when I was a kid.

Little duckling made a funny near quack sound. Too silly. peep Peep PEEP Paaak, and looks around like "who said THAT?"

Chick and duckling were doing football chase moves over a piece of green leaf today. chicks got moves!! duckling just got loud and flopped around alot.

I would dearly love to keep them. I live in the suburbs though with a Home owners association and ... ick .. rules! Hubby isn't sure it's such a good idea to keep them. (isn't that how they all start out?). If they were both quiet egg laying girls I might have a chance to keep them... but I'm not betting on that! I got away with re-habbing wildlife because they weren't ever pets and everyone knew that if they were noisy or smelly it wouldn't last too long.

They are currently splitting a 4'x8' walk in aviary with my bunny and 1 domestic quail (with a divider at the moment because bunny is in charge of the aviary) during the day, and I'm bringing them in at night. I think the first night I left them out with a lamp it may have gotten a tad too cold, I think that's why duckling got scratched on the body at the rear side of his/her wings. Maybe shivering and pointy pin feathers sliced the skin? All healed up really quickly when I brought them in at night. I think the quail wants to adopt the chick, she's keeping a close eye on the chick.

So far I've re-discovered that DE is Awesome! and that I just have such a soft spot for babies.

I guess I have to check out a farm owner this week to see if they want these guys

Maybe hubby will just let me sell the house and buy a farm?

Susan