Feeding 2 week old rescued mallard ducklings

[Racooneyes]

We’re currently looking after 12 mallard ducklings whose mother was run over by a car outside our house. We’ve had them for two weeks now and they’re doing well. We’ve been feeding them on duck starter crumble (20% protein, 1% calcium) up to this point, but I think we are supposed to reduce their protein intake now. We have pet adult ducks but don’t have much experience with ducklings, so I was hoping for some advice please.

We have quite a bit of duck starter feed left (we could only get a massive bag) and I would rather not waste it. I was wondering about using a mix of the starter crumble and our adult duck pellets (16% protein, 3% calcium) but I’m a bit concerned that we might end up giving them too much calcium. Should we bite the bullet and buy some growers food or can we make do with what we have got?

 

[KathiQuacks]

Have you tried contacting a wildlife rehab? It’s likely illegal for you to keep them. They also cannot be released back into the wild later if they are human-raised.

If you must keep, I’d opt for a non-layer feed, and mix with the crumbles to transition them. Layer feed is usually not provided until 16-20+ weeks of age.

 

[QuackDealer]

Hello are you in southwest missouri? We have a long mallard ducking whose mom and flock was killed by hawks in the area. She or he is so tiny and they just sit alone all day