Lost/Abandoned Wood Duck duckling

[Year of the Rooster]

This afternoon a duckling Wood Duck wandered into our garage. Don't know how or where it came from. We looked all over our neighborhood going to neighbor's houses checking for a hen with a clutch, but we found nothing. I know little to nothing about ducks or waterfowl. Can anyone help? I've been trying to force feed it a wet mash of non-medicated chick feed. It ate some bits of grass this afternoon. I've tried leaving it alone to keep stress low, but it really seems to want company. Every time I put it on my belly he wants to snuggle against my chin/neck. I'm fairly sure it's been getting fluids because the crop feels full and squishy. I'm worried though that it hasn't eaten much solid food. Does anyone have suggestions as far as solid stuff it can eat?

Edit: Also, I should add that I let it swim in the bathroom sink about ten minutes ago (luke warm water). It floated around, pooped twice (kinda greenish), and tried splashing water to preen. No pin feathers whatsoever, so I'm assuming it can't be more than a few days old?

 

[Zombified]

I'm not very experienced, so hopefully someone more experienced can chime in and correct me or add to what I say.

As far as my understanding goes, they start to get harder tail feathers around three days old(that's just something I've personally noticed with both my Mallard duckling and my Welsh Harlequin ducklings; it could be completely different for Wood Ducks). They also don't really eat a whole lot until they're about three days old. Make sure that the water is shallow enough that his/her feet can touch the bottom. Wherever she's at, one side should be at least 90 degrees Fahrenheit. I believe every week you lessen it by five degrees? Don't quote me on that; I'm not positive. Also not sure how important it is to decrease the temperature. Either way, when my ducks finally go outside, it'll be 80-90 degrees anyways.

 

[poochell01]

I have a rescued baby wood duck as well the neighbors almost ran the itty bitty over. I have had him for almost two weeks now I was having the same issue but he was actually eating when I wasn't looking but I was given a thread by another member to read it was great info. Get him/ her some floating koy food and meal worms it helped my little baby. Also until I was able to get some chicks for him to play with I put a mirror and teddy bear in his brooder with him. Also grit and niacin a lot of experienced people on here will tell you. I added vitamins and electrolytes to his water also. They love grass to hope I helped I am still pretty new to ducks myself I have two that are 7 weeks old and my little guy. But I'm sure some experienced people will be along soon. I don't know how to post links but there is one I think is sticky noted about ornamental waterfowl it will help. Good luck keep us posted

 

[Zombified]

To clear up my earlier statement, I meant one side of the cage/box should be about 90 degrees, not the water lol.

 

[Year of the Rooster]

Thank you for the advice. He/she made it through the night, but I'm still worried it's not eating enough.

poochell01, I will try the foods you listed and see if they work.

Zombified, I knew what you meant haha. I'm assuming brooder conditions for ducks are similar to that of chicks.

 

[Zombified]

Don't forget that it could be stress. As long as it's eating at least a tiny bit, and it isn't lethargic, try not to worry. Give it another day. It took Pyrrhos a few days to eat(although we're pretty sure she was a day old when we found her).

 

[duckmomma92]

From my understanding ducks arent solo animals, they need another duck to keep them from gettin lonely... if you can you might want to buy a duckling for him/her to keep company with, and oost pictures! Wood ducks are so beautiful!

 

[Zombified]

From my understanding ducks arent solo animals, they need another duck to keep them from gettin lonely... if you can you might want to buy a duckling for him/her to keep company with, and oost pictures! Wood ducks are so beautiful!

Yes, they get very lonely. If you've ever had rats, I've heard that they're similar in that way. Rats will self-mutilate and some even die from depression because they're so lonely. If you can devote enough time, though, you can usually wait a little bit. Singleton rats and ducks are out there, and they're healthy and happy. Pyrrhos was a single duck for almost two weeks, and she never self-mutilated. Of course, she is OBVIOUSLY happier now that she has little ones surrounding her! And, it does take a load off of me, since I don't have to spend as much time making sure she's not lonely. With that said, I do think she'll be more social than the others.

I did debate for a while if I should get more. I don't work, I don't have school(although I'm about to sign up for classes to get my GED), and I really don't have much to do during the day/night. But when I was starting to get sleep deprived(they might not need THAT much time, but she would get so lonely that I ended up keeping her out of the cage for most of the day and night anyway), I decided to get her companions. She still calls for me sometimes, and she still doesn't like for me to leave the room, but she isn't so dependent on me for interaction anymore.

 

[fawne]

I noted that most of my ducks like cherry tomatoes and they will eat them as if they are candy. They also eat leaves.

 

[Year of the Rooster]

If this little guy can hold out for another week, then we'll have some more chicks to keep him company. We have a broody Silkie (chicken) sitting on some eggs that are due to hatch next week.

Some good news though: he/she ate a fly this morning, which is better than nothing I guess. Force feeding isn't helping. It just spits it right out. Definitely not lethargic either, quite the opposite actually haha