Look what the cat dragged in...........**pic at last** and questions..

[spish]

Well here are the four little ducklings my cat brought in 2 days ago. they are still with us **yay** and today a managed to get them some starter crumble and mixed it with a bit of water. they seemed to eat it no probs

is there anything else i can feed them?

can the breed be identified? (i think they are mallards?)

when can i let them have a 'swim'?

 

[Bleenie]

I wish my cat would bring me live ducklings instead of dead mice

 

[redhen]

yeah..they do look like mallards...
Do you live near water? Very interesting...
Glad the cat didnt munch on them....

 

[spish]

yup we live right on the bank of a river (lots of nesting mallards in our garden

)
im suprised the cat didnt have a nibble, perhaps her hormones have made her go soft (shes 8 weeks pregnant!)

 

[redhen]

Aww! yeah..she was gathering babies... how cute..

 

[xke4]

It looks as tho you may have a couple of leucistic mallards. They should grow up to be normal ducks but will look dilute .....something like a dilute calico cat would. When you start to give them cut up greens (unsprayed grass, clover, duck weed etc) they should have a pinch of chick grit in their dish. Unless they are able to be outside for a spell where they would pick up gritty things naturally.

 

[nissa_loves_cats]

Quote:
Same for me.... Very cute ducklings. I guess your cat is going all maternal. I've seen a picture of a mama cat nursing a baby chipmunk along with the kittens, so such things do happen--- just not to MY cats.

 

[AHappychick]

omg is she trying to raise them? that would be too cute!

Must have been the hormones, I would think after 2 weeks they could go for a swim, they will need to be brooded like any other baby duckling.

eta non medicated starter is fine I dont use medicated ever but I believe it is not good for ducks, just in case

 

[Pet Duck Boy]

Some people agree that medicated chick starter with the medication amprolium (amp) is safe for ducks. Just what I heard, but I'd stick with the unmedicated. Good luck and awesome cat!

 

[jjthink]

Ack - I hate to rain on this parade but just want to share one thing to look out for. If it's at all possible, check the little munchkins to make sure they don't have any broken skin. If they do, bacteria in the kitty's saliva may kill them if they don't receive the necessary antibiotics. A wildlife rehab center can advise about this probably even over the phone, including the vulnerability of ducklings (I know other types of birds are definitely at risk). Hopefully, some how some way kitty carried them without breaking the skin, but it's delicate work with a kitty's sharp, even though well meaning, teeth!
JJ