Duckling Rescue

[iresucedaduckling]

Sorry I have no clue where to post this. Also it might be long so thank you in advance.

I have a Merganser Duckling that I'm caring for and I need serious help. Anything is seriously appreciated!

First and foremost I'm teaching myself everything I can to properly care for this lil duckling and hope I can get any other help from here. Coming on here I hope to find additional info especially from those who know best. I dont have any places nearby me that will take the duckling. It was on the side of a super busy road (NO WATER IN SIGHT), I pulled over and it ran up to me. It let me hold it and I walked about a mile each direction to look for another duck. Not one in sight or a safe area to place the duckling. I could not bare to leave it. I called all over and I'm unable to find the right "people" to handle ducks in my area. I even called an Avian vet and they were not helpful which was discouraging. So low and behold I have a duckling I'm caring for now. I have a pond at home and access to a running creek that flows into a River just in case I need to release it or let it swim. It seems so young and like it may not be able to make it on its own so I wanted to help.


WHAT DO I FEED THIS DUCKLING? ITS NOT WANTING TO EAT! I think due to stress but still, what do I feed it

Lowdown :
Not sure how old duckling is. It seems pretty young as stated. From what I've seen online it looks like it could honestly be anywhere from a week old to a few weeks. I have my hands full but I posted a pic of what it looks most like (NOT the actual duckling just heads up but most similar).

- What do I feed and how much per day. How much water intake? I've seen this online but I want to know first hand from you all.
- How much water does it need TO BE in and have its beak wet per day?
- Will it drink on its own or do I need to syringe feed it?
- How long can it be without being in water?
- What are the best things to feed it, it seems like it pecks at stuff but can't take a huge portion.
- Any tips on calming it down and keeping it's stress levels down? It's been very calm with me so far. Neighbors kids got excited when they came by despite me telling them to not disturb it ... and I think it spooked the duckling. It started shaking and panting once the kids tried to touch it and I quickly stopped it. Calmed down - seemed okay as it was resting on my shoulder again. Gave a gentle & duck friendly bath because I wanted to make sure it was clean and I think it got a bit spooked by that. It's calmed down and is on my shoulder resting now. Chirps a lot though and im sure this can mean a number of things but at this moment i think it may be a stressful situation overall.
- Being that it's wild are there any things I need to look out for? It looks healthy and is acting healthy despite being a little stressed (understandably). My first instinct is things DONT appear what they seam so to be cautious, but it really wants to be held 24/7 and the animal lover in me cant bare to leave it all stressed.
- Housing set up for it and best comfort levels? Cardboard box? Inside or outside? Plants ?


Anything else I need to be informed about or that you find important, please help and share!
Thank you again !



Photo attached to compare to the duckling I have is from : International Bird Rescue ; see website here
https://www.birdrescue.org/patients-of-the-week-hooded-mergansers/

 

[DobieLover]

Sorry I have no clue where to post this. Also it might be long so thank you in advance.

I have a Merganser Duckling that I'm caring for and I need serious help. Anything is seriously appreciated!

First and foremost I'm teaching myself everything I can to properly care for this lil duckling and hope I can get any other help from here. Coming on here I hope to find additional info especially from those who know best. I dont have any places nearby me that will take the duckling. It was on the side of a super busy road (NO WATER IN SIGHT), I pulled over and it ran up to me. It let me hold it and I walked about a mile each direction to look for another duck. Not one in sight or a safe area to place the duckling. I could not bare to leave it. I called all over and I'm unable to find the right "people" to handle ducks in my area. I even called an Avian vet and they were not helpful which was discouraging. So low and behold I have a duckling I'm caring for now. I have a pond at home and access to a running creek that flows into a River just in case I need to release it or let it swim. It seems so young and like it may not be able to make it on its own so I wanted to help.


WHAT DO I FEED THIS DUCKLING? ITS NOT WANTING TO EAT! I think due to stress but still, what do I feed it

Lowdown :
Not sure how old duckling is. It seems pretty young as stated. From what I've seen online it looks like it could honestly be anywhere from a week old to a few weeks. I have my hands full but I posted a pic of what it looks most like (NOT the actual duckling just heads up but most similar).

- What do I feed and how much per day. How much water intake? I've seen this online but I want to know first hand from you all.
- How much water does it need TO BE in and have its beak wet per day?
- Will it drink on its own or do I need to syringe feed it?
- How long can it be without being in water?
- What are the best things to feed it, it seems like it pecks at stuff but can't take a huge portion.
- Any tips on calming it down and keeping it's stress levels down? It's been very calm with me so far. Neighbors kids got excited when they came by despite me telling them to not disturb it ... and I think it spooked the duckling. It started shaking and panting once the kids tried to touch it and I quickly stopped it. Calmed down - seemed okay as it was resting on my shoulder again. Gave a gentle & duck friendly bath because I wanted to make sure it was clean and I think it got a bit spooked by that. It's calmed down and is on my shoulder resting now. Chirps a lot though and im sure this can mean a number of things but at this moment i think it may be a stressful situation overall.
- Being that it's wild are there any things I need to look out for? It looks healthy and is acting healthy despite being a little stressed (understandably). My first instinct is things DONT appear what they seam so to be cautious, but it really wants to be held 24/7 and the animal lover in me cant bare to leave it all stressed.
- Housing set up for it and best comfort levels? Cardboard box? Inside or outside? Plants ?


Anything else I need to be informed about or that you find important, please help and share!
Thank you again !



Photo attached to compare to the duckling I have is from : International Bird Rescue ; see website here
https://www.birdrescue.org/patients-of-the-week-hooded-mergansers/

Get some Flock Raiser crumbles for the duckling for feed. Keep a shallow bowl of water for it. It should have access to feed and water during all waking hours.
Make sure that the brooder is warm and the footing is rough enough that it doesn't slide around and damage it's legs.
There are no wild life rescues in your area you can contact?

 

[iresucedaduckling]

Got ahold of someone and its with a rescue now! It was several hours away and thank goodness to a volunteer for meeting me halfway.