Ducks (or maybe geese?) dropped off at my house. Please help?

[augustwest]

I have a small flock of chickens and a friend just called me in a panic. She's a vet tech and apparently someone brought her this little trio last night. They were in a baseball field, following kids around. She's got no bird experience and is bringing them to me. Apparently there were no parents in sight. I have no idea if she did the right thing by picking them up, but here were are!

Any idea what I am dealing with? Are they canana geese maybe? I will keep them away from my chickens for now and will research while waiting for responses here. She went to TS and got some "duck food" that they recommended. They are lively and following her husband and kids around.

They are cute!

 

[duckyfromoz]

What you have there is.... Duck Duck Goose... and look about the right age to have been bought at Easter. So sad.- Your friend did the right thing- they would not have survived on their own for very long at all.

 

[desertdarlene]

Your friend did the right thing, they all look like domestic babies. One goose and two ducklings. I'm not sure exactly what breed of goose it is, but it doesn't look like a Canada goose. Makes me sad that someone would just leave them out there like that!

 

[DuckiesAndBees]

Poor babies! I'm glad they're safe now. I hate when people do this! There was just an ad on craigslist today from people who were going to "release" their birds but just now learned that was wrong- trying to do the right thing now but still... If your friend doesn't feel like she can keep these babies I'm sure she could find someone in the area to take them. I wish you were close to me so I could! If she decided to keep them just have here look on this site for some great info on raising them.

 

[Duckles]

Aww poor little orphans... Where in Central MA are you? I'm from Lunenburg...

 

[davekrista]

Quote:
I am also in central MA and if she can't take them I would love to. I don't mind driving if need be. I hope she can keep them and give them a great happy life. poor babies.

 

[augustwest]

I'm in Lunenburg, too!!!! What are the chances?? PM me, if you'd like.

I'm picking them up at 4:00. My heart is breaking... I can't believe they aren't wild! I'm at work and stepping into another meeting so just a quick THANK YOU and update.

My plan is to put them in my bathroom with a heat lamp (needed?) and their food. I'm traveling this weekend to Maine to visit my mother and will take them with me. We'll set them up at her house and figure out what they need and how healthy they are. Is the "duck food" ok? She got it at TC in Amherst, I think.

She said that the 2 littles are following the goose around if a human isn't around to follow. I'm totally swooning.....

Thank you all so much!

 

[augustwest]

I got a better picture texted to me at work:

Are they the cutest things EVER???

 

[mominoz]

The black beak looks maybe brown Chinese or African? The one baby duck has eye stripes, and the other has a cap and shading..maybe a Swedish? About -3-4 weeks old? Looks like specific breeds, not your run of the mill, pekin, mallard easter mix. and why the goose?Someone not sell all their babies, and took them to a park, hoping some soft touch would take them home....

 

[desertdarlene]

Quote:
I was thinking African and Chinese for the goose, too. Geese are expensive, too!