Michigan

[LyonFuzz]

I know some of you keep ducks so I am asking for some advice. Hubby is at our cottage on Vineyard Lake this weekend while I am working. He was out on our boat when he noticed a tiny duckling battling the waves out in the middle of the lake....yes, the middle with no other ducklings or momma around. He watched it for a while to see if momma would show up but she never did He was worried she was gonna get hit by a boat or become some bass's lunch so he dove in and caught her. She's exhausted. He put her in a dog crate and gave her some water and grass/weeds/oatmeal. He also gave her a spoonful of yogurt. At any rate, what should I do with it? It appears to be a mallard from the pic that I compared to one on here. I wasn't looking for a pet duck, but I will never turn down an animal in need either. What should we be feeding it? Help! Why can't he bring home a stray kitten like normal people? LOL.

 

[Huston's Happy Hens]

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Oh LyonFuzz - what a GREAT husband you have - I like him already! - regarding the care - i have no idea.....someone will follow up soon, I'm sure! Congrats on marrying such a great man...I did too!

 

[ChicwannaB]

we're sposed to get down to 49 here tonight so I did put a bulb in the brooder lamp and have it over my 4 week olds. The last 2 nights I had thrown a blanket over the hutch cause they'd been huddling up.
They have grown so much already....

 

[Opa]

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Usually the mother isn't too far away and they will reconnect. However, on heavily trafficed lakes the boats and the wakes from them can separate them to the point that they are indeed lost. Technically it is illegal to take wild ducks but under those circumstances I think your husband has done the right thing. Treat it like any other duckling and as far as anyone knows it is a Rouen.

 

[ChicwannaB]

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[ChicwannaB]

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love it, glad you had a great day

 

[chikkaboomboom]

Welcome new BYC Michigan folks , the bubbles remind me of the 2 liter bottles I froze and put in the coop and run for my girls, they ran like the devil himself was after them, but by the end of a very hot day I needed a 2 liter for every hen, they squabbled over who got to snuggle with the frozen bottle, I leave a empty in the coop now so they don't forget and freak out next time they need them..lol.
My baby EE;'s are roosting with the big girls now, cept for the Roo's I put the little guys up there every night and the girls push them off

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Guess my neighbors are weird they all got excited when they heard my baby roosters crowing came over and fed them treats. I was the neighborhood dog lady now I am the chicken Lady, all strays end up on my door step, dogs, cats,birds, kids the occasional wild animal. I do my best for them or get them to the right people.
God help me if they bring me a coyote pup...

Been a beautiful weekend so far, got my veggies in, ran out of room for the sunflowers and the sweet corn, but found people to trade fresh eggs for flower seeds and corn. I love watching my seedlings grow every day I wake up wanting to run out to the garden to see whats new over night. I am having a ongoing war with a mole, my schnauzer is on duty, poor old guys getting kinda deaf though( the schnauzer). But he still sends the dirt flying and hes got 3 moles already this year.
Hes worth his weight in gold for critter control.
Have a wonderful weekend everyone.

 

[LyonFuzz]

A rouen? What's a rouen? He waited for a long time out there fishing and watching for a mom or other siblings but no one ever came for it. I can't "treat it like any other duckling" because I don't know anything about them. Chickens I'm good with. When he gets home tomorrow I'll have to post some pics of it and maybe one of you can tell me exactly what kind it is. And yes HHH, I do have a great husband He's definately very compassionate to animals even though he was never allowed to have any as a child growing up. Any suggestions on how we should house it?

 

[Opa]

A Rouen is a breed of domestic duck originating in France that looks almost identical to a wild mallard.

 

[Chickmate]

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I would give it fresh water and chicken crumbles for right now along with some greens like dandelion. There are several people on here who have ducks and would know better what to feed it. Keyt, where are you???