Just found baby duckling...what to do?

[agentzoey]

Crossing a busy street of course...looked forever for the family or a family and no luck. Since we are raising chickens of all ages (some hatching soon) I thought I might be able to raise it...Audubon society says find it a family of ducks...but I've seen mother ducks peck others' ducklings to death. SOoo, anyone have any advice? What will it need when it's a grown duck? A pond? A friend? Any help is appreciated.

 

[momma's chickens]

Welcome to your new little duck!

If you are feeding your chicks medicated feed please don't feed the duck that, they have specific duck feed for ducklings. I feed Flock Raiser to mine.

He won't need a pool, alot of people just use those little baby pools for their ducks. Since I am assuming you are keeping it, will you keep it in the pen with your chickens or will you give it its own area?

 

[agnes_day]

i just switched to plain chick grower so that my duck and goose can eat it along with the chickens.

 

[agentzoey]

I would prefer to keep it with the chickens...but I want to do what's best for it. I read other people post that chicken starter is ok...but you say no - why? Not the right nutrients or harmful?
Thanks so much for your help! My daughter is going to be over the moon.

 

[poultrykeeper08]

AS long as its rasied with chicks it will be fine living with them when they are older . But if the ducklings turnn out to be a drake he will try to breed your hens when her get older so you might want to get him a gal pal . If its a female it will have no problems with the hens but it would still like a duck friend

Chick starter has medication in it for the chicks but it is deadly for ducklings . I use layer crumbles instead of chick starter that way i can give it to every thing and not have to worry about giving it to other birds that can have it

 

[horsejody]

I think that it's the medicated starter that's the problem.

 

[citalk2much]

In most states mallards are protected and you need a federal permit to have them. If you would like I can help you find a rehab around you. When we get people who are willing and able we will sub permit them for baby ducks we find it a great help! We get swamped with baby ducks.

 

[AhBee01]

I buy unmedicated flock raiser crumbles. All my peps and ducklings start with that!
If you could try to get it a friend. It will be happier.