Easter throw away, sad story and advice needed....

[ravencreek]

I just came home from picking up an Easter throw away.
So here is the story I got on this lil guy.
A friend of mine was at her local park and there was a woman and her 5-6yr old daughter there and they were throwing something in the pond. Well my friend and her daughter went to see what they were doing because they would toss something in the water and try to run away then go back to the waters edge and toss it again, then try to run...Well as they tossed it the last time they took off running to their car and my friend then saw the ducks attacking something. They went over to see what it was and it was a baby duck. Well my friend was super mad and upset and chased this woman down to find out why they were tossing the duck into the pond. Turns out they woman had bought this duck for her daughter to wake up to on Easter and KNEW they couldn't keep it because they lived in an apartment. So they thought it was best to put it in the pond with the other ducks. My friend brings the baby home and calls me. Cause she also lives in a place and can't keep it. It is alert and was very hungry, also played in the water bowl. But on the drive home(almost an hour drive) I notice the baby has droplets of water coming out of its nose and it keeps shaking its head and more water comes out. Why is it doing that and should I do anything? Also if you could tell me what breed or breeds it may be that would be awesome.

 

[1lpoock]

hmm not sure on the breed, but its not a pekin....
and don't even get me started, I hate people like that. It's bad enough throwing a duckling into the wild, but buying it and knowing you can't keep it....ahhhh

 

[ravencreek]

Oh I know. I was SOO mad when she told me the ladies story. She better be glad it wasn't ME that was there when it happened. Any idea on how old this lil guy/gal might be? Oh do I need to change the feed I have it on? Cause all my feed store had was game bird starter(no idea if its medicated)...They were out of chick feed(all they sell is medicated there though). I'm going back tomorrow to pick up some fencing stuff and could pick up a bag if I need too.

 

[tnchickenut]

I live right up the road from you... I know these type people are everywhere around here!!! No one believes me when I tell them how locals here can be.

I have 6 ducks myself. I saved two of them from being smashed. Kids were running off the duck mom from the nest and snatching up the eggs. They smashed a few and then, because I and a friend said something to each other loudly about bad kids and worse parents, they put them down. I took them and put them in the bator (thinking the mom duck either wouldn't sit on them again or worse... the kids would be back). I got them to hatch! Now they live a free range life at my house with my khaki campbells.

About your feed question: ducklings can be on game bird starter or UNmedicated chick. Either way, run to walmart and get some niacin tablets... crush one up a day and add to their water. Without enough niacin, they will develope leg issues.

Poor thing. Let me know if you need anything. I am in Englewood and don't mind driving down to help out when I have the time. If you need to, PM me.

 

[tnchickenut]

Oh... just remembered... you asked about the water... all the throwing in the water probrably got water in the ducks nose holes and they will sling their heads to get things out. Have you ever seen a duck eat too much too fast?!?! lol. It's not pretty.

Was it Keifaufer Park where they dumped him? Did you know I buy feed JUST for those ducks out there?! It's almost 100% easter ducks that got dumped. I have even seen guineas dumped there!

 

[ravencreek]

I actually picked this baby up from a friend that lives in Sweetwater. So I drove right through Englewood. Hah Where about do you live out there? I took 411 to get to Sweetwater.

 

[tnchickenut]

I'm literally one mile off of 411 - I can still see it from the back yard.

I was born in DC, but I did my junior high and high school years in Sweetwater.

Small world. Isn't it?

Must have been the duck park then, where it got dumped. Alot of ducklings get done that way... alot don't make it. The adult's at the duck park are more agressive. It's smaller and I imagine the food supply and space limitations make them less willing to accept new ducklings. Alot of injured ones there too.

I got so many duck horror stories I would be typing all night. It's sad because they are not dumb animals at all...they must know. My ducks are verbally trained. I say, "bedtime" and they go in their house so they are safe all night... then in the morning they get let out again. I'm also in the planning stages of digging them a bigger pond... spoiled rotten. lol.

 

[duckyfromoz]

Could be a little Runner -just a guess really.

-And does look about two weeks old so would be right for having being bought as an Easter present
Even a dumped adult duck could struggle to survive- how could these ignorant humans even think that this little one could survive on its own.

Its lucky your friend was there to witness such a cruel act.. And that the little one now has you to take care of it.

 

[ravencreek]

Well I just sent pics to a duck breeding(she thinks she is anyway) friend and she said its most likely a female Khaki Campbell based on its coloring. She said males are usually darker? Any ideas on the truth behind that?

 

[ravencreek]

I also just learned that they got the ladies tag number and the police as well as animal control had been called. What good it will do I have no idea.

Edited to ask:

What is niacin, where at walmart will I find it and will it hurt my chicks to drink it?