New Duckies?

[Lovem all]

I'm well experienced with Guineas and Chickens but we just rescued 8 baby ducks a friend found. The mama and papa had been missing for days so they let us take them. If the parents show up we plan to return them but until them does anyone have any tips for us? Or about letting younger children help?

 

[Duck mommy 2019]

post pictures please? if they are wild ducklings it’s illegal to keep them unless you have a license

 

[Lovem all]

They are mallards

 

[Lovem all]

if we keep them we will go through all the lawfullness

 

[Duck mommy 2019]

if we keep them we will go through all the lawfullness

they are wild, so need to be released once they are of age. if you get a license, it would make you able to rehab mallards not take them from the wild and treat them as domestic pets. have you thought about bringing them to a rehabber and adopting some hatchery ducklings?

 

[Lovem all]

No we were going to raise them till they are old enough to go wherever they wanted but if they want to stay we have food and room. We'd keep an eye on them. Don't worry its the sticks not some little town house back yard.

 

[EverythingDucks]

Wild ducks? I would get them to a rescue as soon as possible. Keep in mind it's illegal to have them in captivity.
For now, or if you can't, set up a brooder, either out of a kiddie pool, a box,or a large tub. Line it with puppy pads. Don't use newspapers since its slippery. Get them a water bowl that they can get their whole head in, but not their body. Be sure to get proper food. Read @isaac s thread on niacin deficiency. Setup a headlamp too. 90F the first week, and lower it by 5 every week until matching outside temps.
I wouldn't let any kids handle them. They can help if you think they are capable. I would limit any handling if you are to release them.
Give them plenty of closely supervised outside time. You can sprinkle live mealworms in the grass to teach them to forage.
They get their oul glands at 4 weeks, but do t get adult feathers until later. Since in the wild they would be swiming early you can let them in the bathtub, in lukewarm water, with about 2 inches deep. Supervize them and only keep them in there for about 10 mins.
Be sure to dry them off and put them under a heatlamp.
Sorry for bad spelling, I'm on my phone and autocorrect is horrible

 

[Lovem all]

Thank you for the help. That was what I was planning on. The kids are very committed already. I would also never leave them outside unsupervised and actually already set stuff up for them in the morning.

 

[EverythingDucks]

Can you attach some pictures please?

 

[Duck mommy 2019]

you can let them swim in deep water, as long as it’s not cold. i’ve always done it with my ducklings and they love being able to zoom