I NEED HELP ASAP W/ BABY DUCKS!!!! EMERGENCY!!!! final update pg 6

mom,wewantchicks! :

ok i just got home and my hubby says we have baby ducks!!! he was going up to the barn and a small dark colored duck flew away. then he noticed babies everywhere!! and right off our cat also noticed!!! they where running everywhere and the mom was not there, we knew the cat was going to get them. so we ran all over the yard colecting ducklings! they couldnt be anymore than a day or two old. i have 9 in my tub with wet mash and water,they are peeping and jumping like crazy!!! now i normally would never bother them, but with no mom in sight they where headed for doom!! what do i do??? should i try to get them back to the mom? we are keeping an eye out for her,we came inside to see if she might come back, and are watching out the window. ugh!! im new to chicks and now i have ducks!! how do i take care of them if they cant go back to the mom? i cant belive they are even here, we dont have a pond or anything!!!!!

i live in wv if you are willing to get ride of them pm me​
 
UPDATE!!
well i have put them on a towel in a bigger box,mirror and added water, grass and meal worms. one is actively eating and i hope the others catch on very quikly! 3 more are not looking good at all and im very worried. ive called everyone i can think of,dnr, gamewarden,gamefarm, no one is calling back. quess they are not to worried about a few little ducks. if they call tommorow and decide to throw a fit cause im not supposed to have them and am in "big trouble" they will not really like what i have to say. everyone cross your fingers,pray, what ever you choose, that at least some of the poor little things will make it!
 
well have you tought them to eat and drink?
also do you know what kind they are?

Edited to say you not tou
 
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mom,wewantchicks! :

UPDATE!!
well i have put them on a towel in a bigger box,mirror and added water, grass and meal worms. one is actively eating and i hope the others catch on very quikly! 3 more are not looking good at all and im very worried. ive called everyone i can think of,dnr, gamewarden,gamefarm, no one is calling back. quess they are not to worried about a few little ducks. if they call tommorow and decide to throw a fit cause im not supposed to have them and am in "big trouble" they will not really like what i have to say. everyone cross your fingers,pray, what ever you choose, that at least some of the poor little things will make it!

Theya re not calling back because it is a holiday weekend.
You are covered under a Good Samaritan part of the law. You have somethign like 24 hours to make arrangements to get the wildlife to a rehabber.

You don't mention a heat lamp above? Do they have one? if not, put a heating pad on low in the shoebox for them and please, leave them alone. Don't handle them. Woodducks will literally die of stress and fright.​
 
It is great that one is already eating. Hopefully, the rest will follow.

You are so nice to help them out. It is a lot of work, and heartache too. But you're doing great, and hopefully somebody will be able to call you back tomorrow. They should not be upset, since you did try to reach someone for help. Please let us all know what happens, and good luck with those babies!

Becky
 
Wood Ducks are extremely tricky to get started. First off, they will never calm down like Mallards do. They will most likely remain skitterish until they are released. I found that the best way to get them to start to eat was to cut up small mealworms and crickets (bought at a pet store) and place on the lid of a margarine or yogurt container. I'm talking itty bitty bits. I think a regular earthworm would be too large a diameter for them. I keep them away from all the noise of the house until they are eating well and even at that, try and keep them somewhat isolated. They are skilled jumpers so make sure your lid is secure. Never heard about the mirror technique! Once they have taken to the mealworms, you can sprinkle a bit of starter crumbles on the lid. Water is supplied by a chick or quail waterer.
 
My mom would "whistle peep" to the one we rescued and raised. Always seemed to perk it up and encourage it to eat. Good luck.. they are difficult little critters... equal I think to wild cottontail babies.
 
Unless the meal worms are huge, I think I would leave them whole (I am not an expert, just my opinion). The reason that I suggested them earlier is because they would be moving around and hopefully get the ducks attention. Just my thoughts...
 

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