My wood duck died... What could I have done?

[ktpunkinface]

So, we have experience with birds- but this was my first time trying to raise a wood duck. Our local animal control asked if I wanted to take the little fellow in. we live in a rural area-with no wildlife rehab outfits nearby. I did sooooo much frantic googling as to what to feed it, care required, etc... He was tiny, and would not eat on his own. The first night he was in pretty rough shape but we gave him some water and egg yolk with a syringe and he perked up immensely. I brought the brooder in the house so I could get up and feed him every few hours. He was super lively and "chirpy." He hated being in there, so I relented and let him snuggle me most of the night. (Was super careful not to squish him, or anything.) Second day, he was perky, he enjoyed his water time, and spent the day snuggled up in my lap while I studied for my nursing boards. I tried everything to get him to eat on his own, but no such luck- tried chopping up worms, mealworms in the water so he could "hunt" them, greens, carrots. Nothing worked- so I continued with the syringe water/egg yolk regime every hour. I only gave him a few drops at a time- and was super careful not to give him too much, so he wouldn't choke. I couldn't find duck starter anywhere- tried making a paste with oatmeal ground up mixed with water and yoke, thinking maybe he would nibble at it-but no. That evening he started seeming drowsy and woukd t keep his eyes open or hold his head up- I had read about hypoglycemia with malnutrition, so gave him a few drops of sugar water- I realize the yolk thing wasn't ideal, but since he was so little and wasn't eating, I didn't know what to do. He just chirped constantly-with his eyes shut, and died a few hours later. It was heartbreaking.... I feel like I killed him. My husband said that he had accidentally dropped him on the floor at five or so- but that he had landed on his feet. Could that have been the issue? Because he started to seem lethargic that evening... Since they divebomb out of trees at birth, I don't think that was the problem.... What could I have done differently? He was so sweet and snuggley, I just feel awful! And why wasn't he eating on his own? From what I've read, I thought wood ducks figured it out on their own. My thoughts are that he was so little, he never got the chance to "monkey see, monkey do." Was I feeding too much, not enough? Why did he perk up and then suddenly decline so fast? I'm sorry this is so long- it's just really weighing on me, and I would like to know what I should have done. It's too bad we don't have more resources for these situations in my area. Any advice or words of wisdom appreciated!

 

[GitaBooks]

I'm really sorry to hear about your duckling.

We lost a sweet little chick, Amber, today from paralysis.

As to what caused it, the fall could have, but like you said, they jump out of trees. If he was wild, there might have been a reason he was abandoned. He could have been too weak to keep up with his mother, injured himself jumping out of the tree, gotten attacked by a predator (even a small wound can lead to life threatening bacteria in hours), or caught some form of bacterial or viral infection.
Could the raw yolk have had some bacteria in it, or was it farm fresh? Could the duckling have been too cold? Some chicks just have deformities or brain trauma that make it so they can't eat on their own.

Little animals are very delicate. I have had chicks that were dying and I held them on me during the night to keep them warm as they passed away. It is really hard, but sometimes there is nothing you can do.
I'm glad you gave it such wonderful care and a happy life, even if it was short.

 

[ktpunkinface]

Thank you for your kind words! the eggs were farm fresh, so I don't think that was the problem. Poor little ducky... I just feel so bad- he seemed so much better that second day, I was just really hopeful. I just want to learn all I can, so I don't feel this way again- should we be asked to take in another woody.

 

[ktpunkinface]

And I am very sorry to hear about your sweet chick!