Ducklings Showed Up?

[Pentatonchix]

I'm just going to get straight to the point: two ducklings were following my neighbors on a walk and they asked us for help (we have chickens). They called animal control but until then I need to take care of them. I set two dishes of water and a dish of my chickens' layer feed for now. We have sav-a-chick probiotic and electrolyte. Should I give them some of that? We are keeping them separate from the hens (because of risk of disease) but they are in my hens' free-range area. I only have had chickens so I have no idea what ducks need. @Isaac 0 @RosemaryDuck @EverythingDucks @Corbdee or any other duck experts what should I do to take care of them? Should I have them in a brooder with a heat lamp and should I have water available to swim in? Are they okay eating layer feed? Anything else I need to know? (sorry for all the questions, I just want to make sure they are okay!)

Thank you!

ETA: one is younger than the other.

 

[Pentatonchix]

Thank you!
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I agree with @RosemaryDuck. Are they outside 24/7? They are still young so they need warmth. Proper duckling feed is important for them.

We brought them inside the garage inside a kiddy pool (with newspaper inside, not water). We set up a chick heat lamp and there are shady spots. We will try to get duckling food tomorrow, but for now, we have layer feed with a bit of water inside of it (to make it kind of a mush). Thank you for your help!

 

[Weeg]

We added some shavings. My neighbor once had ducklings (and a mom) in their backyard and when they called animal control, they brought them to the local duck pond. The problem is they look like domestic ducks so they might not survive there... Thank you

No! Don't let them take them to a duck pond! They will die! That is probably were these babies came from. Domestic ducks will get killed so fast left in the wild, especially babies. Ask animal control what they will do with them before they take them. If you can keep them, or find someone who can, please do.

 

[Weeg]

And Weeg, remember.. “their” lol!

Lol! I was doing so good for awhile! Lol! Hahahahaha!

 

[Pentatonchix]

We got an offer from someone to take them. They have a pond, a cat, and bunnies. (will the cat be okay with the ducklings?) We will go over to evaluate this afternoon.

 

[KaleIAm]

We have several members who have posted about cats injuring or killing their adult ducks - so it does happen. Cats are individuals and predators. Even knowing this I suspect these ducklings have a far better chance at survival with a family that owns a cat than being released at a pond.

I have 3 cats and have never had a cat/duck incident in 6 years. I simply keep them separated.

 

[Pentatonchix]

Thank you all for your advice! Turns out one of my neighbors was duck sitting their cousins' ducks. So last night we gave their duckies back in exchange for some banana bread (no nuts). They will be going home (to my neighbor's cousins) on Friday.

 

[CHlCKEN]

Lol! That is amazing! Perfect! I wonder why they had there cousins ducklings at there house? Thats weird! Lol! At least you found them a good home! Hahaha

I agree!!
And Weeg, remember.. “their” lol!

 

[RosemaryDuck]

I'm just going to get straight to the point: two ducklings were following my neighbors on a walk and they asked us for help (we have chickens). They called animal control but until then I need to take care of them. I set two dishes of water and a dish of my chickens' layer feed for now. We have sav-a-chick probiotic and electrolyte. Should I give them some of that? We are keeping them separate from the hens (because of risk of disease) but they are in my hens' free-range area. I only have had chickens so I have no idea what ducks need. @Isaac 0 @RosemaryDuck @EverythingDucks @Corbdee or any other duck experts what should I do to take care of them? Should I have them in a brooder with a heat lamp and should I have water available to swim in? Are they okay eating layer feed? Anything else I need to know? (sorry for all the questions, I just want to make sure they are okay!)

I will add pictures soon.

Thank you!

How old are they? If they still have down, and not proper feathers, I would get them into warmth asap. Electrolytes and probiotics never hurt. If they are still very young, do not give them deep water. They cannot repel water at that age and can drown/become water logged and get cold very fast. Thank you for saving these little guys. I hope everything goes well for you!

Layer feed is okay in a pinch, but get them on proper duckling food asap. The calcium in layer feed can make them sick if fed long term.

 

[DucksAreBest]

@DucksAreBest , your an expert

Thank you!
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I agree with @RosemaryDuck. Are they outside 24/7? They are still young so they need warmth. Proper duckling feed is important for them.