Pekin Duck Club!

[sannabelle]

Help please. We were walking in a park along a river tonight and found an abandoned duckling, looks like a Pekin from the pictures. Appears to be about 8 weeks old since it has the beginnings of curly feathers at the tail but does not have mature feathers. It is definitely not wild since it is very friendly and imprinted on humans. I called a wildlife rescue, but they're not open until tomorrow. I did reach a lady who suggested keeping it in a box with towels and a bowl of water for the night. We are in a hotel with limited resources. How warm should it be? Can it wait to eat in the morning?

Help please. We were walking in a park along a river tonight and found an abandoned duckling, looks like a Pekin from the pictures. Appears to be about 8 weeks old since it has the beginnings of curly feathers at the tail but does not have mature feathers. It is definitely not wild since it is very friendly and imprinted on humans. I called a wildlife rescue, but they're not open until tomorrow. I did reach a lady who suggested keeping it in a box with towels and a bowl of water for the night. We are in a hotel with limited resources. How warm should it be? Can it wait to eat in the morning?

That IS a pekin- not sure what a wildlife rescue will do for it since it is a domestic animal, hopefully they'll be willing to help. Are there any feed stores near you? I'm sure it is hungry if it was dumped and not used to foraging in the wild. I would keep it warm with a towel or blanket, make sure it has water deep enough to dip its whole bill in.

Where abouts are you? There could be a bycer able to help near by!

 

[sannabelle]

And THANK YOU! For picking up that sweet baby

 

[kelly md]

He's snuggled in a box with fluffy hotel towels and a deep bowl of water. Drank a lot before he settled down for the night. There's a feedstore nearby on the way home, so we figured we could stop and pick something up on the way. We live in the suburbs of Houston, if anyone knows of any resources. He's so sweet, and we had to convince my husband to let us take him with us back to the hotel to keep him safe.

 

[Miss Lydia]

He's snuggled in a box with fluffy hotel towels and a deep bowl of water. Drank a lot before he settled down for the night. There's a feedstore nearby on the way home, so we figured we could stop and pick something up on the way. We live in the suburbs of Houston, if anyone knows of any resources. He's so sweet, and we had to convince my husband to let us take him with us back to the hotel to keep him safe.

@kelly md go here and reach out on the Texas thread. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/44/texas/41580 in the mean time get the lil one some all flock crumble or chick starter and feed but it always has to have water when eating.

Thank you for saving it. Just shows you what happens to some Easter ducklings.

 

[rong]

I just signed up to the website. I need help with my 4 year old female Peking duck. She has one of her legs out and can't walk. She eats and drinks and can stand if I help her up. I thought my male just hurt her trying to mate. I took her to the vet and they x rayed the leg and no broken bones. I also noticed her last egg was ever small before this hapened.

 

[miranda HR]

I have a drake that keeps picking on my ducklings anyone know why or how to stop it

 

[Miss Lydia]

I have a drake that keeps picking on my ducklings anyone know why or how to stop it

Keep your duckling separated from your drake he can hurt or kill them , best to keep them away but where they can all see each other until the ducklings are as large as the adults. especially if you have females then it is very important they not be with the drake till at least 4-5 months old.

@miranda HR Welcome to BYC

 

[Miss Lydia]

I just signed up to the website. I need help with my 4 year old female Peking duck. She has one of her legs out and can't walk. She eats and drinks and can stand if I help her up. I thought my male just hurt her trying to mate. I took her to the vet and they x rayed the leg and no broken bones. I also noticed her last egg was ever small before this hapened.

@rong what did the vet say if the leg wasn't broken? what was the diagnosis?

Best to keep her and the drake separated while she recovers. Give her rest with plenty of good food and fresh water but where she isn't trying to do alot of walking. But water therapy would be good because it takes pressure off the legs and back and also helps strengthen those legs. They can lay different size eggs so that may not have had anything to do with the leg injury but sometimes when they are trying to recoup from an injury or illness they may not lay.
Welcome to BYC!!

 

[kelly md]

2 questions: 1)the lady at tractor supply estimated the duckling at 6 weeks. By my calculations, he can probably tolerate the outdoors in Texas at night since is about 70ish? We have him in an extra large kennel to keep him safe from our dogs and predators.
2)I've had a couple of offers from people to take him. What should I be looking for in a good home for him?

 

[Miss Lydia]

2 questions: 1)the lady at tractor supply estimated the duckling at 6 weeks. By my calculations, he can probably tolerate the outdoors in Texas at night since is about 70ish? We have him in an extra large kennel to keep him safe from our dogs and predators.
2)I've had a couple of offers from people to take him. What should I be looking for in a good home for him?

In that pic he doesn't look 6 weeks maybe 3-4 needs to be at temps at around 70* with out chilling breezes. If mine he'd be inside.poor thing outside by himself would be terrifying since they are flock animals. Your not keeping him in water continually are you.

Good homes mean secure housing with secure fencing maybe someone who already has ducklings or ducks and has experience in caring for one. Bless it's heart it's been through so much already getting the best forever home is a must.

Are these that have offered members of BYC?@kelly md