Found A Baby Duck Need Help

[Ch0cob0]

Hello, I was walking out at night in my back yard and stumbled upon a baby Muscovy duck without a mother. I decided to take it home, but I have NO idea how to raise or care for a duck.

Naturally, it was frightened of me, yet it would not stop "peeping" until I picked it up and layed it in my arm where it now sleeps and has me handicapped.

I tried feeding it, beforehand, some crumbled boiled egg with lettuce on a plastic cap and some water on a seperate cap, but it didn't want to eat it. It just kept "peeping" and it was driving me mad, since I couldn't tell if it was from fright, sickness, hunger cold or all of the previous.

Right now, it's sleeping, but when it wakes up, I'm sure it'll start "peeping" again.

I'm not even sure how old this duckling is or who the mother is.

I don't want it to get attached to me, I prefer it to live its life in nature surrounded by other ducks, but I'm clueless as to what to do.

 

[happyhens1972]

It needs warmth and company, both of which it is currently only getting from you so you need to replace yourself with a little pal and a heat source. You need to get another duckling of similar age for company, or even a chicken chick if you can't find a duckling.....assuming you're in the States, your tractor stores seem to sell both at this time of year. Then you need heat....either a well secured heat lamp, a heat pad or an electric brooder plate.

As for food and water, it may be that it was young enough to have it's yolk still in its belly so may not have been hungry but it will need food and water soon. If you poke about in both with your fingers, it should learn from you that that is where to go for sustenance.

Types of food....the egg is really good, finely chopped oats, crushed dried mealworms....but ideally a good duck starter crumb.

Good luck xx

 

[Ch0cob0]

Thanks for the reply. I want to post any progress.

It's still sleeping on my arm and I can't sleep myself thinking I might forget and crush him.

If I put him in a box, though, it starts "peeping" and I hear they can die from hypothermia if not careful.

I'm not sure how old it is or if putting him under a lamp light will overheat or not heat enough. I don't have a thermometer, unfortunately.

PS They don't sell baby ducks where I live and I was hoping to release it before it begins to think I'm its "mother".

 

[happyhens1972]

You're right, they can die from hypothermia. If you have a heat lamp, great! Put him in a box that is big enough that he can get away from the lamp if he needs to, put the lamp pointing into one end only (PLEASE BE CAREFUL OF THE FIRE RISK!!) Put a soft cloth or cuddly toy in with him to so he has a 'friend' to cuddle up to.

As for release, he should not be out alone until he is fully feathered, at about 7 to 9 weeks and even then, only if the weather is not too cold and he has learnt to forage. If you feel you cannot meet this need, he is better off at a wildlife sanctuary or advertised online as a companion duckling. Maybe someone on here needs one?

 

[Ch0cob0]

Edit: It just woke up and is constantly crying. It won't eat or drink water even when I tried dipping my finger in it.

 

[happyhens1972]

I haven't had ducks that young but if they are anything like chicks, they sleep A LOT!! He will also be under there for warmth so try providing it some other way.....maybe a bottle of hot water wrapped in a towel with a little overhang that he can snuggle under....just so you can give yourself a rest.

 

[Ch0cob0]

It just woke up and it is constantly crying, whether I hold it or put it in its box. (Is this box too small?)

It won't drink water, but walk over it instead. Should I worry? I'm waiting for the humane society to open to give them a call and see if they can help me out.

(The only lamp I have at the moment is a standing lamp and a table lamp.)

 

[Miss Lydia]

What part of the world are you in? a standing lamp right over where the duckling is would be better than nothing what size bulb?

Also do you have a mirror you can put in with the duckling? just make sure it can't fall over on it.

And call a water fowl rescue in your area. Maybe the humane society would know of one close. Ducklings can get separated easily for their mama and sibs. But please don't place it back outside on it's own it will be a death sentence for the lil one.
If you can give us an idea where your located we might even have a member who can help

 

[Ch0cob0]

120 V

 

[Miss Lydia]

Is it 60watt 100watt bulb. It may give off enough heat to keep the lil one fairly warm or put the table lamp down with it so long as the duckling can't touch the bulb.

TSC sells small bags of feed also you'll want chick starter. Or water fowl starter.