RESCUED MUSCOVY DUCKLING! HELP!

[Queenandking13]

I rescued a Muscovy duckling on Wednesday, she is a month old and she looks like a week old, I take care of the muscovies in my complex lake, so I keep track of how they are. Carly (as I named the duckling) is Pipa's duckling. Pipa's ducklings are always sooo little, and don't grow much. I rescued Carly from the hawk, the hawk swooped down and attacked the ducklings and Pipa defended them. I realized Carly was acting different. She threw up in the water too. I put my hand in the water and she swam right to me, letting me touch her. It was strange becuz Carly is wild, I haven't ever seen her go up to a human like that. So I tried to grab her, but she ran to the bushes so I ran after her. I grabbed her and I brought her home. I put her in a box with a mirror,water, and Dumor Chick starter unmedicated. She sleeps ALOT, that's what she does all day, if I put her in the bathroom tumb, she sleeps. she drinks and eats a little, she poops a lot ( im sure that's normal). I also took her away cuz her mom doesn't care about her anymore bcuz she has nest with eggs right now so she doesn't care about the ducklings she has right now. Yesterday she left her last duckling (besides Carly) die. Yesterday I let Carly swim around the lake. She was a bit happy to see her birth mom. She took a quick bath, brushed her feathers and went to sleep under the bushes. Why does she sleep so much? By the way she got squeezed by the hawk too, that's why she threw up in the lake. I've been loking for any injuries but she seems fine, she swims, eats, drinks,walks OK. What could be wrong with her? Why does she sleep ALOT?

 

[Amiga]

She could be traumatized, have internal injuries, even some kind of viral or bacterial infection. Is there a wildlife rescue or rehabilitation person or place near you? I think that would be best.

 

[Queenandking13]

She could be traumatized, have internal injuries, even some kind of viral or bacterial infection.  Is there a wildlife rescue or rehabilitation person or place near you?  I think that would be best.

I checked everywhere, all over her feathers

 

[Amiga]

Well, I always feel that a bath in lukewarm water, and vitamins-electrolytes-probiotics, fresh water and plenty of food and a warm, safe place are a good start.

You need to think about advising someone familiar with wild muscovy care. There may be some rules and regulations that apply.

 

[Queenandking13]

Today she seems ALOT better, the only thing that seems strange is that she sleeps ALOT. Today she swam in the lake, took a quick shower, and combes herself. She sun bathed a little too. I took her back home, she trusts me more now. I put her in her box where she ate and drank water. She seems to get better everyday!! I will wait till she is big enough to not be taken by the hawk, then she can hang out with her cousins, who she enjoys. I wouldnt give her away to anybody after knowing that EVERYONE here hates the poor muscovies. I live in Florida.

 

[Amiga]

Fair enough. Glad she's doing better.

 

[Queenandking13]

Does anyone know a food that makes ducklings grow?

 

[AmberRex]

In Ireland we use broiler chick crumb or duck grower, Both are high in protein ( around 7,8,or 9%) They always say sleep is the best healer so it really does depend on how badly she was hurt. Unfortunately at this stage and judging by the trauma she has sustained it will either kill her or cure her, I'd say but while she is eating, drinking, pooping normally and prepared to swim a bit then little Carly is on the right track. Let her sleep it off and eventually she will be just fine, she is also probably not putting on any weight because all of her energy is focused on recovery. Hope this helps!