Duck Emergency

[PhoenixRin]

Ok, I know it isn't chicken related, but somebody just abandoned two baby ducks on my front door. The mother is nowhere to be seen, and the third just escaped. I have NO idea what ducks eat. I have 4 baby chickens right now, only a week old, so I have the ducks in with them under the heat lamp with chicken starter feed and water. What do I do??? There arn't any wild animals places where I live, and I don't want to sacrifice them to the very eager cats.

 

[chickenzoo]

I would put then in a separate box from your chicks, you do not know were they've been and little ducks love to nibble feathers and make a mess out of anyone they touch, he he. Give them the chick starter, shallow water and a light. It looks like you are a duck owner now. You said the third disappeared? If you take the other ducks out in their box and let them quack a few moments it may help you locate the other....

 

[PhoenixRin]

I'm afraid to take them back out...I don't want them to dissapear too. I really hope that my cats haven't beat me to the third little guy....I'm by no means a duck expert, but they only look about 1-2 weeks old...about the same size as my 1 week old chicks.

 

[horsejody]

I think that chick starter is fine, but it should be unmedicated. I think there are 2 possible medication that can be in starter. One is OK, and one is deadly for ducks. I'm not an expert. I just remember reading it somewhere, probably here.

 

[horsejody]

BTW where are the pictures?

 

[PhoenixRin]

O_O BAH! How can I tell if it's medicated?!? It's just in a plain ol' brown bag that it came in. I bought it from a organic feed store (which is where I also got the chickens).

 

[horsejody]

Quote:
Call the feed store. Thay should be able to tell you for sure.

 

[chickenzoo]

I feed my ducks the chick starter w/ amoprilium (sp). I wouldn't leave the ducks out there, I just thought if you carried them around in there box, the 3rd might might come out from hiding when he herd the peeps. You are doing good, treat them like the chicks for now. Go to the Duck forum down below this board and they can give you info on raising them.

 

[PhoenixRin]

I'm usually not so O_O *insane*. I'm usually really calm and collected when it comes to animals, but for some reason I'm freaking out X.x

 

[chickenzoo]

Take a deep breath.........Breath. You'll be OK.