HELP -rescued baby duckling

[Lily16]

Hi everyone,

I rescued a small duckling today who had been left behind by its mother (probably born either this morning or yesterday) and I was wondering if anyone had any tips.

Also it appears to be struggling to walk, it is trying but I am concerned that there may be something wrong with one of its legs. Is this normal/ does it just need time to learn, or could it be more serious?

 

[chickens really]

It possibly was not abandoned but you interfered.......Try taking it back and if you see
Momma with Ducklings she will call it back...... Its better off with her.......Illegal and charges are high to interfere with Wild Birds....

Possibly she knew it would not survive and left it...Nature needs to run its course...Call a rescue of wild Birds..

 

[Ducks4us]

Hi everyone,

I rescued a small duckling today who had been left behind by its mother (probably born either this morning or yesterday) and I was wondering if anyone had any tips.

Also it appears to be struggling to walk, it is trying but I am concerned that there may be something wrong with one of its legs. Is this normal/ does it just need time to learn, or could it be more serious?

Do you have a photo of how it looks, so we can tell age and see how its standing/ look at its legs when in the standing postiton.
If it was all dry and fluffy it should be walking. They can be a little clumsy, tripping on some stuff. But typically walking good because they follow their mom all over as soon as they leave the nest.
Did you see the mom or any babies around the area you found it?

 

[Ducks4us]

It possibly was not abandoned but you interfered.......Try taking it back and if you see
Momma with Ducklings she will call it back...... Its better off with her.......Illegal and charges are high to interfere with Wild Birds....

Possibly she knew it would not survive and left it...Nature needs to run its course...Call a rescue of wild Birds..

Maybe where you live,
But its not illegal to interfere or help with all wildlife where i live.
Some protected birds- like birds of prey
But not most birds or ducks. I have spoken with fish and game.
All areas are different.

 

[Lily16]

Had seen mother with other chicks earlier in the day, after I found the duckling I did record its chirp and walk all around where it had nested and up to the two nearest ponds to try to find it but they have gone.
As it struggles walking I presume the mother left it behind. It's so cute I couldn't bear to leave it so I'm going to try and raise it with my chickens (after it grows up a bit first)
Thanks for your concern

 

[Miss Lydia]

@Lily16 do you know the breed of duckling you rescued? Like Duck4us said it may just need a little time to get it;s legs under it. mean time offer it some room temp water and do you have feed?

I'd also check in and see if you can find a wild life rehabbers who may help. Especially if your not set up to keep the ducklings it's going to need a heat lamp feed a brooder so it will be safe. Please don't take it back where you found it and leave it,most likely mama and ducklings have left the area and it won't make it on it's own. If you do decide to take it back to the area. Look for a duck with ducklings no guarantee this will be the mom but if she has quiet a few ducklings with her this one might be able to join the group. Then again it may not. So be right there to make sure the duckling is safe.

 

[MillersFarm]

Quote:
x2 Ducks and chickens are very different. You will need different foods for the duck if you want to give it an appropriate amount of nutrience. It will also need the right kind of environment to live in. Ducks are very social animals and can get very depressed if it doesnt have any other siblings to socialize with. Your best chance with the duck is to find a wild life rehabber who may help the poor lil' thing

 

[chickens really]

Maybe where you live,

But its not illegal to interfere or help with all wildlife where i live.

Some protected birds- like birds of prey

But not most birds or ducks. I have spoken with fish and game.

All areas are different.

The wild ducks do not fall under state law as they are protected by the Migratory Bird Act.  If you have local game and fish telling you it is okay to interfere or help with wild ducks, they are misinforming you.  Idaho is subject to the same federal regulations that all states are subject to.

To the best of my knowledge there is no state that permits interference with wildlife other than those specific instances covered by hunting regulations.

EXACTLY.............Anyways .....I was only trying to help....

Cheers!

 

[Lily16]

Thanks everyone,
The mother ducks and other ducklings definitely have left, the duck is a mallard and I think it's a day old.
I live on a farm with pleanty of nearby ponds with other ducks for it to socialise with and so it should be fine living here, although I will definitely research it more and contact my local wildlife centre for help/ advice.
It seems to be walking a little better now, although it's left foot is curled up and doesn't open when it tries to walk - well, more like leap and stumble around . I think it just needs a bit of practice.

 

[chickens really]

Thanks everyone,
The mother ducks and other ducklings definitely have left, the duck is a mallard and I think it's a day old.
I live on a farm with pleanty of nearby ponds with other ducks for it to socialise with and so it should be fine living here, although I will definitely research it more and contact my local wildlife centre for help/ advice.
It seems to be walking a little better now, although it's left foot is curled up and doesn't open when it tries to walk - well, more like leap and stumble around . I think it just needs a bit of practice.

Best wishes to you and the Duckling......I totally love Ducks so I hope you connect with the right help..

Cheers!