Help with baby wood ducks found

[Ks2588]

I found two baby wood ducks in my yard no sign of mom or other babies. I think they only 1 or 2 day old , I brought them in house and have a heat lamp on them but cannot get them to eat any of the feed. They are eating meal worms and crickets and drinking water . Any ideas how get them eat feed / is the worms and crickets enough ?

 

[jak2002003]

The worms and crickets will not be enough. They are like candy to the ducklings.. so it might be they are filling up on them and then are not hungry enough to eat the 'boring' feed.

Try mixing the feed with a little water in a shallow dish (remember it will go off quickly so throw it away after 30 mins or so. Throw a few mealworms in thee mix.. hopefully they will try it them.

Or you could introduce a domesticated duckling to them... seeing it eat the feed they should copy it.

I found this on the net.. hope it helps

Newborn Duck Diet

• Do not feed newborn wood ducklings plants or other vegetation. For the first six weeks of life, these ducklings eat primarily a protein diet consisting of insects and small fish, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). These newborn ducks do not eat plants until they pass the age of six weeks.

Young Duck Diet

• Introduce plants into the diet of a wood duck beginning at six weeks. At six weeks, wood ducks change their diet dramatically. Within a short time, the wood duck goes from an exclusive protein diet to one that is 90 percent vegetable. These ducks will feast on a variety of plant life that includes algae, watermeal (a small, free-floating seedy water plant), sago pondweed and duckweed, according to the USDA.

Read more: http://www.ehow.com/way_5652599_plant-diet-wood-ducks.html#ixzz33GMpMPyN

 

[joycespell]

where are you at?

 

[Ks2588]

I'm in upstate ny

 

[Miss Lydia]

I'm in upstate ny

Have you checked to see if there are any rehabbers around, they are equipped to care for wild ducklings and give them what they need.

 

[joycespell]

I was going to suggest that and we a have a wildlife rescue rehab here so if you can't care for them and want to get rid of them pm me! They would be in good hands

 

[joycespell]

By the way

 

[Speceider]

It would be best to get them to a rehabber...wood ducks are not easy to raise, and it is illegal to have them without appropriate paperwork.

Clint

 

[andreacroyle]

I think that if you spend some time, all of your questions will already have answers here on this site. I also rescued a duckling with no knowledge at all. One of the most important things that i have read is making sure ducklings have enough niacin. I went to the health food store and bought a economy size jar of nutritional yeast and sprinkle that on their food.

I personally think that BYC has the best information if your willing to spend the time to find what you need answered.

You can also read Metzer Farms site. They have great information as well.

http://www.metzerfarms.com/BooksAndEquipment.cfm?CustID=2607939&Category=Nutrition

From everything that I have read, the absolute best information is going to come from this book. Maybe you can find it in PDF form so you can have it today. I got it from our local library.

Story's Guide to raising ducks-
http://www.storey.com/book_detail.php?isbn=9781603426923

Here is David's (the author's site)
http://www.holderreadfarm.com/

The meal worms wont be enough for complete nutrition, but it's a start. Make sure that you do not get a medicated starter. I have read from other people's posts that it isnt good for ducklings.

The best food seems (this may be a matter of opinion, this is just what I have read) is the Mazuri brand because it is formulated for PET ducks. Not chickens
http://www.mazuri.com/waterfowl.aspx

Honestly, though I have to tell you that the first two weeks I had my duckling, he ate layer feed and as many meal worms as he could because I didnt know his nutritional needs. He is healthy. I am not telling you to do this, however I am saying that scovies seem to be hearty. Do your research and your ducks will be fine. If you do not plan on keeping these ducks as pets for their entire lives then you DO NEED to give them to someone that has other ducks. These babies need to be taught how to find their own food and survive in the environment.

 

[joycespell]

Here in tn you do not have to have a permit to care for any fowl except hawks and eagles and my license is pending