Please help with breed and maybe sexing

[duckmanjim]

Its a merganser! They nest in hollow trees! I bet there is a hollow limb above the guys roof! You cannot release it! It will surely die! Go to your local feed store and buy some waterfowl starter! Put him in a plastic bin with grass clippings or hay for bedding and a tupperware dish with water and a heat lamp! Keep him warm to about 95 degrees for first week!

 

[masked malitia]

Lol beautiful little fish eaters

 

[Luke 13V34]

Can I let the duck in my pond? Free range? I get nervous because I have hawks all over. Not till he is older of coarse. I will get a duck friend for him if he lives. He seems very vocal and happy now

This thread talks about free ranging ducks - https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/869162/how-to-free-range-ducks

I am sure you can do it if you train them, but I'm not sure if you'd need to clip a wing on it or not to keep it from flying away. I've never free ranged ducks!

 

[masked malitia]

Federal laws will come into play here so be very careful whatever you decide.

 

[Luke 13V34]

Federal laws will come into play here so be very careful whatever you decide.

This is true! http://www.fws.gov/forms/3-200-9.pdf

From what I just read, you probably can't legally own that duck since you took it from the wild, but I don't know what options you have

 

[masked malitia]

The best option is contact your state fish and game. They will ensure this bird gets back to the wild where it belongs.

 

[Luke 13V34]

The best option is contact your state fish and game. They will ensure this bird gets back to the wild where it belongs.

Or euthanize it.

 

[masked malitia]

Lol yes or kill it but highly unlikely. I have worked many hrs with a duck rescue organization and the different state fish and games have always been more than helpful. They have resources the average person does not, and likely know right now where to find a hen hooded in the wild with ducklings to add this one to.

 

[chick resq]

I am a licensed rehab'er only thing I legally can't do is deer, moose and bears. They said to call a licensed rehab. Lol

 

[duckmanjim]

There are many people on this site in the ornamental waterfowl section who would gladly add the little guy to their flock and give it a great life!