Need help with orphan duckling

[Romachick71]

hi everyone,
I had a wild duck nest in my yard.
She had 12 babies but left one behind. The baby is now a week old and I’m noticing cold symptoms.
I have the duckling in my house in a plastic tub with a heat lamp.
I got poultry nutri drench yesterday, and I’ve been feeding a mixture of cooked egg yolk, purple kale, clover sprouts,freeze dried mealworms and poultry crumbles. Does anyone know what I can do to help him or is taking him to a wildlife rescue the best thing?
Thank you

 

[Jpat]

I couldnt imagine how you could help any better than you are

Ide keep him forever and be my own little secrete

 

[Romachick71]

I couldnt imagine how you could help any better than you are

Ide keep him forever and be my own little secrete

thank you. I’m just worried about the cold getting worse

 

[PirateGirl]

If the bird has a respiratory infection, you risk transmission to your own flock. A wildlife rehabber is probably the best option. They may even be able to test for what illness it is to best treat it.

 

[Romachick71]

If the bird has a respiratory infection, you risk transmission to your own flock. A wildlife rehabber is probably the best option. They may even be able to test for what illness it is to best treat it.

Hi there. Thank you for responding.
I don’t have any other chickens or ducklings. Just the one baby.

 

[Jpat]

i didnt read it rightm I thaught u meant it just looked cold. Didnt realize it was sick

 

[Romachick71]

i didnt read it rightm I thaught u meant it just looked cold. Didnt realize it was sick

Yes, seems to be a cold. Still eating and drinking

 

[llombardo]

Ducks need grit, yes? They also need water to clean out their noses. So they eat and then dip their bills to clean it out.

 

[llombardo]

What symtoms are you seeing?

 

[Romachick71]

Ducks need grit, yes? They also need water to clean out their noses. So they eat and then dip their bills to clean it out.

I wasn’t sure if the baby needed grit?
I’ve been taking outside and letting him pick through dirt and such.