looking for info on baby mergs

[s dinaldi]

Help, does anyone have good links to merganser raising and care? Any info on these little guys would really be appreciated

 

[Speceider]

What merg species.....hoodies are different from commons or red-breasted.

Clint

 

[s dinaldi]

. Here is a pic about 2 weeks ago....I think he/she is a hoodie from my research but I could very well be wrong...will get a recent photo to u ASA I can

 

[Speceider]

Looks more like a common...if he has lived that long you must be doing things right. Wild or captive?

Clint

 

[s dinaldi]

Wild, rescued, ASA I realized he wasn't a regular duck..lol (tht he was a diver) i got him on meal worms and crickets...not too many days after that we tried guppies and sure enough he chased them down and ate them quick... next day he was eating fat heads and rosy reds, and has been for 2 full weeks...growing sooo fast, omg so sweet, he's w me 24/7 cries his/her head off if i get out of sight...follows me everywhere...just today tho he/she is just starting to venture away from me a bit...I give a loud "quaaack and he comes running back...he's been chasing the cat around the house and poor kitty doesnt knw wht to make of this tiny bully (hes declawed and im always around the 2 of them, so no funny business. Anyway im not sure what to do or expect next...do i clip that back toe nail? Is it too late?...should i plan on him staying? Which is fine i can do whatever to raise / over winter him if he wants to stay...we have 2 small ponds (koi type ponds) 5 feet deep at deepest and ive put a couple pounds of rosie's and fat heads in there for him...any suggestions/help/ideas is appreciated

 

[Speceider]

Sounds like you are doing well. Do have to say what you are doing is illegal, and clipping a toe will not change that. Best to prepare for it to leave...your ponds are not large enough or have enough prey base.

Clint

 

[s dinaldi]

i know... i figured i would leave him as is and when he wants to go he can...if he wants to stay he can do that too..just want to give him whatever he needs to grow strong and healthy

 

[Speceider]

One of the problems is he will not fear people. Many people hate mergs, thinking they impact fisheries( which they can in some situations) and will kill them to protect the fisheries. A big reason to have people trained in rehab work with birds that will be released.

Clint