Raising and caring for ducklings

[Amiga]

It is normal if the ducklings are eating their own poop. And I read that I can not use newspaper with them but why?

Slick surfaces often lead to spraddle or splay leg.

 

[JasmineG]

I found what I think is a baby mallard in a muddy puddle at the edge of my property today. I watched it for about 2 hours as it was peeping away. Mama duck was nowhere to be found. Needless to say I ran out and purchased duck starter/grower food. He/she is now in a large plastic tote with food and water. I purchased cedar shavings...then found this site and realized that was my first mistake. The remainder of the day I kept him/her in the tote in my screened porch, thinking mama might hear the peeps and come investigate...nope.

With all that being said, I want to take care of this little cutie, but I'm afraid I might do more harm than good. Is there anything I'm missing...other than the bedding screw up? Oh, and anyone have any idea how old he/she might be?

 

[Speceider]

Looks more like a Rouen than mallard. Probably about 5-7 days old. There's a sticky with a lot of info on raising ducklings.

Clint

 

[JasmineG]

Looks more like a Rouen than mallard. Probably about 5-7 days old. There's a sticky with a lot of info on raising ducklings.

Clint

Thank you for the reply. Omg, poor thing is so young. This forum has so much information, I'm so glad I found it.

 

[buckbye]

, JasmineG!
I am new to ducklings and this thread has helped me a lot, too!

 

[Alice28]

 , JasmineG!
I am new to ducklings and this thread has helped me a lot, too!

X2! This thread has been amazing! JasmineG, do you have any other ducklings? The little guy needs a friend. Ducks don't like to be alone. It's so cute watching them go around together. Good luck with you little guy (or girl)

 

[JasmineG]

Right now he is alone, sadly the way I found him. Really wasn't prepared to become a mom to a duckling, but I'm going to do the best I can.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Right now he is alone, sadly the way I found him. Really wasn't prepared to become a mom to a duckling, but I'm going to do the best I can.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/750869/raising-and-caring-for-ducklings#post_10611711 a soft cuddly stuffed animal can bring comfort and a non breakable mirror so he can see himself.

 

[JasmineG]

Okay, so his bedding has been changed to pine, his food is Dumor starter/grower. Access to food and water is 24/7 and a stuffed animal was added for comfort.

I also bought a small animal pen to give some supervised yard and swim time with half the pen in the sun and the other half in shade.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Okay, so his bedding has been changed to pine, his food is Dumor starter/grower. Access to food and water is 24/7 and a stuffed animal was added for comfort.

I also bought a small animal pen to give some supervised yard and swim time with half the pen in the sun and the other half in shade.

Your making a fine duck mama especially on such short notice, I'd go ahead and get some Brewers yeast to add to his feed just in case he may need more of the B vitamins than the dumor provides since it's for chickens. 1Tab to 1 cup of feed. Nice setup too.