Poor Duckling! What Now?

[highcountrychickens]

So I was driving home on a back road yesterday, and the car in front of me swerved - a trio of ducklings scattered... I stopped and found the very upset survivor, and no hen to be found anywhere (they still had the tooth on their bills... so hatched recently) The irrigation ditch where it would seem she nested is now totally dry. I set the little guy up with my chick setup, and went to look for the hen and more ducklings (heard one but couldn't find it)

The Game and Fish knows me well from other work with birds... and I'll give them a call later this morning - but in the meantime - what do I do? I crumbled layer mash, and he has water and a light, but he's all by himself. I have a big garden - greens are good, right? If I find the hen, can I release the duckling back?
Any suggestions from the Duck Gurus here would be incredibly well-appreciated!!

I'll post pics here in a few minutes -

 

[1lpoock]

The duck probably wont take the duckling back now...feed it whatever you have , greens are great! Is it a mallard?? Because you can get in trouble for having any wild duck in your possesion without a permit...good luck though....POST PICTURES!!

 

[keeperofthehearth]

Layer mash is O.K. for now. Place a stuffed toy & poss. a mirror in w/him/her for a bit so it can cuddle and see it's reflection. If you have a spare chicken waterer that would work for water. It's deep enough for the duckling but not deep & open that it get into trouble. If you don't have a spare waterer any shallow small bowl/pan will do. If you do end up keeping the duckling for awhile you might want to switch it to 20% non-med chick starter for a few weeks. I noticed my broody ducks didn't take their ducklings out forageing for a day or so and kept them close by so I don't think you need to get it any bugs to eat yet.

If you do find the ducklings mom,(don't know if she would accept it back or not,) you could take it back and keep an eye on it to see if she does accept it back. She may be in need of help herself. Since you plan on contacting Game & Fish, they may be able to give you some advice on what they need you to do. I'm sure you will do the right thing and see that the duckling is cared for one way or another. Take care and good luck. Keep us posted.

 

[Cetawin]

Every breeder I know of gives strict warnings to not feed layer feed to ducklings or goslings.

Give the little ones some greens like lettuce or spinach leaves chopped up into 1/4 pieces...non-medicated chick starter/turkey and wild game starter equally mixed if duck starter is not available.

I hope you can find the other one or at least mama. If she has the other one with her she might take this one back...you just never know.

Good luck with the little one.

 

[highcountrychickens]

Thanks so much for your help, you all...

After talking at length to the bird specialist at our Game and Fish, I found a pond on Nature Conservancy land that had dozens of coot families, and a bunch of Mallard families... with the assurance from the G&F specialist that it would work, I released the little guy and retreated with my spotting scope to see what would happen.
Sure enough, much to my surprise... after only a half hour, a hen with a little clutch of ducklings about the same size scooted over and adopted my little rescue.

The truth is that it was really not suited for life in a cage - while I was carrying him out, he was ferociously throwing every feather of his .2 ounces into shredding my finger - a puddle duck he was not, but it suuure made me want a couple

 

[rainplace]

I love happy endings

 

[keeperofthehearth]

So glad everything worked out well.

Now you will just have to get yourself a couple of ducklings of your own.

 

[Cetawin]

Quote:

Vicious attack duckie. Every yard needs a couple of those.

I am so happy you found a great place and a new mom to take the little one.