Duckling identification help!

[86121]

First of all, I need to know wild breed or domesticated. Then I need to know wether they need heat lamps like chicks and what to feed them.
Now story as to why I have them:
Im an ACO, and I got a call about some ducklings falling out of an old oak tree (Do ducks normally nest in trees and throw there babys out of it?) so very curious I responded. By the time I got there moma duck was long gone and no where to be found. The people who had reported it were very concerned and had scooped up six babys.
Probably not the best idea, but then again they had never seen ducklings fall from trees before and with the cars trying to hit them they did what they thought was right and will be keeping a look out for mom in case she comes back.
I currently have them and will be putting them in a little pen until I can figure out exactly what I should be doing with them.

I guess mom was jet black head to toe?
The feat are kinda camo looking on the babys.


There also not that big?

 

[Miss Lydia]

First of all, I need to know wild breed or domesticated. Then I need to know wether they need heat lamps like chicks and what to feed them.
Now story as to why I have them:
Im an ACO, and I got a call about some ducklings falling out of an old oak tree (Do ducks normally nest in trees and throw there babys out of it?) so very curious I responded. By the time I got there moma duck was long gone and no where to be found. The people who had reported it were very concerned and had scooped up six babys.
Probably not the best idea, but then again they had never seen ducklings fall from trees before and with the cars trying to hit them they did what they thought was right and will be keeping a look out for mom in case she comes back.
I currently have them and will be putting them in a little pen until I can figure out exactly what I should be doing with them.

I guess mom was jet black head to toe?
The feat are kinda camo looking on the babys.


There also not that big?

They are so tiny. Wood ducks nest in trees. so maybe wood ducks. Have you tried googling? they do need heat but not as high as chicks and safty from preds. chick feed w/o meds is good unless you can get starter for water fowl. I'm not that familar with wild species of ducklings but there are folks on here how are. Hope they do well for you.

 

[86121]

They are so tiny. Wood ducks nest in trees. so maybe wood ducks. Have you tried googling? they do need heat but not as high as chicks and safty from preds. chick feed w/o meds is good unless you can get starter for water fowl. I'm not that familar with wild species of ducklings but there are folks on here how are. Hope they do well for you.

Ok, all I have for a heater is a Brinsea brooder. Its worked well for my chicks so I put that in with them.
I looked up wood ducks, as someone mentioned that they might be wood ducks?
They look the part, however the discription of mom does not. They said pitch black head to toe, no white lines, or blue.
The egg that I found at the base of the tree was a small creamy brown color with dark spots.

Also, there a bit freaked out right now and I can understand that, however I cant seem to get them to eat or drink. Will that come in time once there calmer? Or what should I be doing?

 

[desertdarlene]

That is a wood duckling, pretty sure. Moms are usually mostly gray with a white circle around their eyes. They can appear darker under certain types of light.

It is often hard to get them to eat, so you may have to work with them, showing them how. There are people on this site who own wood ducks and will be glad to show you how to care for them. Check under the ornamental waterfowl thread in this forum, you'll see some exotic duck owners there who might be able to help.

Try dipping their beaks into the water. Do you have any baby chicks? Maybe put one or two of those in there with some feed and see if they can show the duckings how to eat.

 

[86121]

That is a wood duckling, pretty sure. Moms are usually mostly gray with a white circle around their eyes. They can appear darker under certain types of light.
It is often hard to get them to eat, so you may have to work with them, showing them how. There are people on this site who own wood ducks and will be glad to show you how to care for them. Check under the ornamental waterfowl thread in this forum, you'll see some exotic duck owners there who might be able to help.
Try dipping their beaks into the water. Do you have any baby chicks? Maybe put one or two of those in there with some feed and see if they can show the duckings how to eat.

Thats what I thought. Thank you!
I have six of them so I would be very happy if they did not die on me...I think there a day old?
I have older chicks but no babys sadly, I can try working with them though.
Ill post under the ornemental section, thank you for the advice!

 

[desertdarlene]

You're welcome. I think there is a thread in the duck forum about ornamental waterfowl, too. But, I think it's good where you posted, too, especially with all the mandarin owners there (mandarins are close relatives to wood ducks). I hope you get your answers.

I often have to help people with killdeer chicks and they say to make your forefinger and thumb into a beak and "peck" at the food. It can take hours to get killdeer chicks to eat, but don't know with ducks.

 

[Kevlynn]

Yes, baby ducklings DO fall from trees, it's the way their mom teaches them how to fly. In many areas it's illegal to house any wild fowl as they're a protected species.

 

[BlueMoon-N-Farm]

Thank you so much for info I already know and no longer need as this post was from years ago.