Found Duckling, Not Eating

[Furcifer]

While out in my yard I saw my cats playing with something and I figured it was a bird. It was, just not the kind I expected. It was a duckling, looks about a day or two old. I'm not sure what breed... maybe a Mallard or Rouen but also possibly a Wood Duck? Those are native where I live though I don't see them often. I have no idea where it came from, I live a few miles from the nearest lake and I'm the only one on my block who currently has yard birds.



It seems uninjured, healthy, and active. I had trouble getting it to drink at first but it eventually did. The only problem is I haven't seen it eat at all, or poop for that matter. I was trying to feed it some chick grower feed mixed with scratch grain. I showed it where the food is, picked it up with my fingers, and dropped it but it seems uninterested. I've done this multiple times but it just wants me to hold it constantly, probably since it has no other ducklings to be with.

I have raised ducklings before, it has been maybe a year since I last had ducks. However, I have always gotten ducklings at an age where they are a bit older than this and already eating fine.

How can I get it to understand that I want it to eat this feed? Is the feed the problem? If so what do you suggest I feed it instead?

 

[Pyxis]

Definitely looks like a little wood duck, and that's probably why you're having so much trouble getting it eating. They are hard to get to eat when they first hatch. Most people use a 'teacher' duckling like a Call duck. Some things you can try are getting some live mealworms, which it might go for. Duck starter from Mazuri is the preferred diet for baby wood ducks so you might try to find that, but you may not be able to get it without special ordering.

You can try to mix up some water and feed into a mash and toss some live mealworms in and see if that gets him eating, and also try to find a couple ducklings to show him what to do.

Also try to find a wildlife rehabber to take him since it's not legal for you to keep him and they'll be able to raise him for eventual release back into the wild.

 

[drumstick diva]

Hope things turn out well for the little duckling

 

[Furcifer]

Definitely looks like a little wood duck, and that's probably why you're having so much trouble getting it eating. They are hard to get to eat when they first hatch. Most people use a 'teacher' duckling like a Call duck. Some things you can try are getting some live mealworms, which it might go for. Duck starter from Mazuri is the preferred diet for baby wood ducks so you might try to find that, but you may not be able to get it without special ordering.

You can try to mix up some water and feed into a mash and toss some live mealworms in and see if that gets him eating, and also try to find a couple ducklings to show him what to do.

Also try to find a wildlife rehabber to take him since it's not legal for you to keep him and they'll be able to raise him for eventual release back into the wild.

I actually got it to eat a little. I mixed an egg with feed and tapped it against the beak a few times, let it sit there, and tried again until it finally pecked at it and ate some. It did not eat much but its at least some progress. After a few tiny bites, it was ready to climb back on me and sleep again.

I'm not sure where I can get live mealworms around here other than ordering them but I can definitely buy some dried in the morning. I know it's not the same but its the best I can do for now until I can order live ones. I'll also look into getting another duck or two if I can find any its size.

If you feel it really is a Wood Duck then I'll try to find a wildlife rehabber. I'm not 100% sure where the nearest one is but I'll make some calls in the morning before heading out to get supplies for it.

 

[lena_]

Is it maybe a Muscovy? We don't have wood ducks here in NZ, so I could be wrong. Do you have anything to keep the lil one warm with?

*Edit*
Its not a Rouen or a Mallard, because they have the full eye stripe. I'll post a pic to show
Mallard:

And your baby:

 

[Furcifer]

Is it maybe a Muscovy? We don't have wood ducks here in NZ, so I could be wrong. Do you have anything to keep the lil one warm with?

*Edit*
Its not a Rouen or a Mallard, because they have the full eye stripe. I'll post a pic to show
Mallard:

And your baby:

Muscovys are not native here but it's not impossible. We used to have a "wild" flock when I was younger. They came from a breeding pair my mom bought that exploded. If it's not a wild-born duck then it has to be one that escaped from someone. I just don't know where from.

I have a brooder box that I raise chicks and occasionally ducks in. It has a heat lamp and everything. I have it placed in there but it just peeps and jumps up the sides non stop until it runs out of energy or I take it out. It's probably just lonely.

 

[Miss Lydia]

A non breakable mirror and stuffed animal may help the lil one until you can snuggle with it and decide what your going to do. If it's a wood duck maybe not a good idea to get ducklings unless your planning on keeping it? A wild life rehabbers would know everything to do for the lil one. @Furcifer and

 

[Pyxis]

I'm not sure where I can get live mealworms around here other than ordering them but I can definitely buy some dried in the morning.

Do you have a pet store? All the big ones like Petco and Petsmart etc carry live mealworms for reptiles, so you would be able to get them there.

Hopefully you're able to fine a rehabber to take it in

 

[lena_]

Muscovys are not native here but it's not impossible. We used to have a "wild" flock when I was younger. They came from a breeding pair my mom bought that exploded. If it's not a wild-born duck then it has to be one that escaped from someone. I just don't know where from.

I have a brooder box that I raise chicks and occasionally ducks in. It has a heat lamp and everything. I have it placed in there but it just peeps and jumps up the sides non stop until it runs out of energy or I take it out. It's probably just lonely.

Good to hear the lil one is okay. Maybe you could post a video of it cheeping? That way it'll be easier to discover it's breed, as 'scovies have a very distinct cheep.
Anyway, glad to hear you have the right equipment to raise the little guy (or care for it until you find a rehabber). If it's active and eating it'll most likely survive. Does it stop cheeping and snuggle to you when you take it out of the brooder? Could it possibly have been domestic until it ran away or your furbabies got it?

ALSO
I have a question
Does it look more like theese lil ones?

(Search up baby muscovies if you need more pics to compare)

Or this