Rescued baby mallards. One dead, one very weak. Please help!

[desertdarlene]

I don't think that's a mallard, I think it's a gadwall duckling. Very cute! Do yiu have any more pictures of the babies? I would contact rescue agency. They know what to do and can prepare them for life in the wild.

 

[katie197888]

This was the day we brought them home


Heres the sick little guy sleeping on my friends chest. He passed yesterday I grew very attached to him after having it at my hip for almost 2 days.

 

[Miss Lydia]

This was the day we brought them home


Heres the sick little guy sleeping on my friends chest. He passed yesterday I grew very attached to him after having it at my hip for almost 2 days.

I'm sorry to hear you lost it, how are the rest doing?

 

[katie197888]

The rest seem great! They are finally not scared enough to be active while I am in their view and I can even pet them if they are feeling friendly enough. I contacted a lady who rescues wild bird the next town over, let her know the situation and that I was taking good care of them. I asked if she thinks it would be ok to keep caring for them like this, waiting to hear back from her. I hope she says yes, I love these guys! Although I am finding out they are VERY VERY messy! They soak their bedding by playing in the water! We got a deeper waterer with higher sides for them in hopes that they can't make as much of a mess. Ahhhh and I thought chickens were bad when we hatched ours...lol

 

[m.kitchengirl]

Try putting the waterer in a tupperware, or on a piece of hardware cloth over a plastic tub. It will catch some of the water they splash & help keep the bedding somewhat drier.

 

[Miss Lydia]

The rest seem great! They are finally not scared enough to be active while I am in their view and I can even pet them if they are feeling friendly enough. I contacted a lady who rescues wild bird the next town over, let her know the situation and that I was taking good care of them. I asked if she thinks it would be ok to keep caring for them like this, waiting to hear back from her. I hope she says yes, I love these guys! Although I am finding out they are VERY VERY messy! They soak their bedding by playing in the water! We got a deeper waterer with higher sides for them in hopes that they can't make as much of a mess. Ahhhh and I thought chickens were bad when we hatched ours...lol

Happy to hear the rest are doing great. you are doing a great job. Bless you! be sure to keep posting pics we love pics!

 

[desertdarlene]

Yep, those are mallards. Too bad that sick one died. In the wild, only 3 of those ducklings would most likely make it to two months old. It sounds like you're doing well with them. I hear that many people use puppy pee pads to help with the mess.