Found these babies!

[ssgreer1]

are they silver?
mallards are yellow and black.
Wood ducks are Silver and black

they are yellow and black. I know nothing about ducks. The wood and mallard babies online look very similar. I was only going by the orange tipped beaks. I have no idea though. We have just recently added 6 ducks (Rouens, Pekins) into their new duck house. Hoping we can get these guys big enough to survive outside with them. Our Rouen babies were much calmer in the brooder/tub that is for sure.

 

[desertdarlene]

The shape of the head and the bill indicate wood ducks as well as the head markings. Many wild ducks have this type of coloring. Are there any wildlife rescuers near you? It might be a good idea to bring them to them whatever they are.

And, yes, there are breeders that sell this type of duck, but I doubt that's where yours came from.

 

[MNwaterfowler]

No doubt its a baby woodduck. I raise about 75 of them a year.

 

[Miss Lydia]

No doubt its a baby woodduck. I raise about 75 of them a year.

So what do you suggest this Op do? can they survive without an experienced person caring for them?

 

[ssgreer1]

Ya can I keep them alive?

 

[shicks0211]

I don't know why it's more difficult for wood ducks and mandarins to start eating. It's quite common for those of us who hatch them to lose some because they don't learn to eat. Call ducks, like every other breed i've hatched just seem to know to eat and drink..or at the very least just figure it out after i dip their beak in the water and food. It is thought be some people that it has something to do with them falling from the nest when they're newly hatched and that somehow giving their body the signal to start eating..so some people think dropping them on a pillow will make them start eating..i've never tried that..but i think it sounds like a wives tale to me..i know that putting another baby in with them to hatch together seems to teach them to eat..i choose calls because they hatch around the same time and are roughly the same size, but any other breed would probably work as well. I guess it's just the difference between domestic and wild duck breeds..who knows..silly ducks.

 

[desertdarlene]

I was going to suggest putting another baby in with them, if you have one. Or, perhaps put them in a place where they can see the other ducks eating and put some food in with them as well (but keep them separated from the other adult ducks). Another thing you can try to do is maybe put some small mealworms or other live food in with them? I'm not sure about that. I know that works with shorebirds because the movement of the "prey" stimulates them. Or, you can put your hand in the shape of a duck's head and beak and make pecking motions at the food while making whistles or other vocalizations (wood ducks don't quack, they squeak), or talking to them.

Those are only guesses.

 

[jonhpdx]

I would completely agree as I to duck hunt... But sometimes those teal

Totally agree, those are tough birds to get as well.

 

[ssgreer1]

I threw some worms in there by chance that they would eat them. I also put some warm chick starter mixed with hot water. Haven't seen them eat the mush but did see them going after the meal worms pretty good!!! Maybe they will make it! They look happy enough. Not lethargic or weak looking at all. I guess we will see.

 

[mohawkbrian]

They are not wood ducks  (i'd LOVE to find baby wood ducks just hanging around..lol)  Mallard chicks and wood ducks do look similar, but mallards are yellow like these and brown, where wood ducks are more of a creamy grey color and brown..so unless the lighting is off on these pics and making them look like they are yellow and they're not..then they're mallards.  No special care.  With wood ducks at first it's hard to get them to eat..i raise them with call ducks and then they learn..you can get another duckling of a domestic breed..like a pekin or something and they will learn to eat from them..that really the only "special" thing to raising wood ducks or mandarin ducks ...but i really think these are mallard ducks..which are super easy and if they're already eating on their own then just keep feeding and watering them and they'll be just fine  glad you found them!!