Please help!!

[ILOVEMYDUCKLING]

Hello, I am new to this forum but I've been reading a lot of your posts for the last 3 weeks since I found a duckling in the parking lot of a very busy mall here in Fort Lauderdale, FL
The duckling was almost run over by several cars and was running all over the Parking lot. I took him and spent 2 hours looking for his mom in the nearby areas but no luck so I took him home. He seemed to be thriving and has grown a lot. I have been feeding him: peas, a few mealworms (a day), hardboiled egg,greens, manna pro gamebird/showbird food, and multidrop vitamins for all birds and plenty of water.I calculate he is about 4 weeks old. He is usually very active and somewhat talkative speacially when he doesn't want to be alone. For the last 3 days I have been keep him out side the house for about 2 hours and I let him back inside afterwards but I have noticed that he is not as active and he doesn't follow us around like he normally does. He's very quite and wants to sit most of the day. I don't think he's sick cause he is eating and drinking plenty but I did notice that he won't eat unless I'm standing right next to him. I don't know what is going on. I read they are very social and they do better with a friend but that seems unviable right now as I wasn't planing on taking care of a small animal. Have any of you raised a single duck by itself successfully? This might sound dumb but I think he's kind of sad or feels lonely thus his late behavior. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Also, if you have any idea of what breed it is that would be great.

 

[GitaBooks]

I'm so glad you helped that duckling!

He looks like a Black Swedish, which is a domestic breed (not a wild duck like a Mallard). As for his decrease in energy, he sounds like he is being given good care and proper nutrition, so that shouldn't be the problem. Is he getting niacin in his diet? Is he able to keep his nose and eyes clean with a dish of water? Is he too cold or too warm? Is his food medicated?

Ducks are generally hardy animals, I hear they don't often have worm problems. It could be that he is lonely and getting depressed. You could try finding a buddy for him or ask around to see if anyone has some young ducklings he could be introduced to. A careful introduction over the period of a week could lead to life-long friends and a great pet.

Best of luck!

 

[Amiga]

Beautiful duckling!

Yes, they can get depressed and lonely.

Some folks have house ducks - of those, there are some singles
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/632070/show-off-your-house-ducks

A good duck vet is best - sometimes they can get an infection.

Is the duckling safe from predators while outdoors?

Ducklings and ducks can be sick and hide it for a long time - there may be something wrong, or it could be emotional.

Please tell us a little more - give us some more clues.

Try an unbreakable mirror in with him for company, and a washable stuffed toy a little bigger than he is.

Looks like a Swedish or Swedish mix to me.

 

[caesargirl]

Give him an unbreakable mirror and stuffed animal. Also check out the house duck thread, many people over there have single ducks.

 

[ILOVEMYDUCKLING]

Thank you so much @ gitabooks for your help. Yes he is getting niacin and food is not medicaded. I try to pay special attention to his body temperature and he seems to partial to be indoors (78•) he does have access to water in a glass ramekin so that he can wash his bill and nostrils

 

[ILOVEMYDUCKLING]

Beautiful duckling!

Yes, they can get depressed and lonely.

Some folks have house ducks - of those, there are some singles
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/632070/show-off-your-house-ducks

A good duck vet is best - sometimes they can get an infection.

Is the duckling safe from predators while outdoors?

Ducklings and ducks can be sick and hide it for a long time - there may be something wrong, or it could be emotional.  

Please tell us a little more - give us some more clues.

Try an unbreakable mirror in with him for company, and a washable stuffed toy a little bigger than he is.

Looks like a Swedish or Swedish mix to me.

Thank you so much for your reply and help. I am deeply grateful!
He is safe from predators and he stays in my back porch all the time. He doesn't like to be in the grass at all. He only spends a couple of hours out there but it's getting hard to keep him entertained since I have to work and I don't want to keep him confined long periods of time
Sometimes I wonder if I made his situation worse by bringing him home but he was really young to have survived so young by himself. Getting him a little duck friend is not something that I could do right now but I'm really concerned.

 

[ILOVEMYDUCKLING]

Give him an unbreakable mirror and stuffed animal. Also check out the house duck thread, many people over there have single ducks.

Thank you so very much for the advice. Tomorrow GOD willing, I will buy him the stuffed toy and mirror.

 

[Amiga]

Thank you so much for your reply and help. I am deeply grateful!
He is safe from predators and he stays in my back porch all the time. He doesn't like to be in the grass at all. He only spends a couple of hours out there but it's getting hard to keep him entertained since I have to work and I don't want to keep him confined long periods of time

Sometimes I wonder if I made his situation worse by bringing him home but he was really young to have survived so young by himself. Getting him a little duck friend is not something that I could do right now but I'm really concerned.

I feel you saved his life. I would have no regrets. Life with ducks, for me, has been life-changing. And not without challenges. They are more intelligent than I realized. Great communicators. So, if I were you, I'd get the mirror, the stuffed toy, sit down have a little chat with him. Explain how you feel, what the deal is. Go to the house ducks forum, get acquainted with others with single ducks or single duck experience. Give yourself some credit. Enjoy the relationship. Keep him safe - everything wants duck dinner. And they can get into some remarkable "situations."

Please keep us updated. Look at that face. Awwww.

 

[caesargirl]

You did a good thing by helping a creature! And if you're not able to properly keep it, there is nothing wrong with finding the best home possible. (They're very social creatures) Not everyone keeps a duck survival kit in their closet for when they end up with a surprise duckling!!!!! Lol