Duck: advice for my rescue duckling

[ellawright9110]

Hey guys. So I saw a duck with 9 babies today in my garden and about 4 hours later, another duckling dropped out of the best above my wall. The duckling is fine but I cannot find the mother. I've looked everywhere, I even went down to the nearest lake and I couldn't find them. I've set the duckling a bed up in a cardboard box with lots of sawdust and blankets. It's eating and drinking fine. I need some tips on looking after a young duckling as I have never done this before? Any help would be much appreciated. The duckling doesn't seem to sleep in its box unless he's cuddled up on me.

 

[Amiga]

I would see if you can find a compassionate waterfowl rehabilitator in your area.

Meanwhile, there is a sticky on Raising Ducklings.

 

[ellawright9110]

If I were to find his mother I don't think he is ready and he can't walk properly yet. I have looked for rescue centres near me and there isn't any.

 

[silkiecuddles]

Oh how sad eating and drinking is a good sign. He's probably cold. Do you have a heating pad or blanket? Do you know how old it is?

 

[ellawright9110]

I think he's only a few days old because it's very small and his mother and siblings only just fell out of the nest.

 

[PotatoWaffles]

What kind of duckling is it? Mallard? Wood duck?

If you plan on raising it aND keeping it, you're going to need a few things. Ducklings need a heat source for the first few weeks, like a heat lamp. As they get older, they need less heat. I think the rule is 85 or 90 degrees the first week and drop by 5 degrees every week. You'll want a good chick starter feed, and you'll more than likely want to supplement niacin somehow. Some people use crushed tablets, but I prefer nutritional brewers yeast added to the food. I find it at GNC and it looks like this:

Your waterer should be deep enough for him to dunk his head but not so deep that he can get stuck and drown. I use a chick waterer like the one below for the first week or so, then switch to a cool whip container with a hold cut in the lid big enough for their heads to fit through.

If he is all alone, he is going to be one lonely duck. I would recommend trying to find him a little friend. If that isn't an option, adding a non breakable mirror or stuffed animal to his pen might help. Just realize that you're the mama now and he will probably be very attached to you.