Stray wood duck need help

[DuckMoore]

I raised Mallard Ducks and got a call tonight on a Duck someone found. They couldn't find the mom and there are no water or ponds close by. They gave me the Duck with us all thinking it was a Mallard. Well.... it looks like a Mallard yet is very small with claws. It is jumping in the box so bad we put a lid on it. Can I mix this Duck with the Mallard babies? Lost any help would be great.

 

[Amiga]

I would not, as you don't know the status of its health (don't want to infect the mallards).

If you can give it water and food, that would be good. Wish I knew more about what you have. Might it be a grebe? Do you have a photo? Regarding food, it may need something like worms, I doubt it would recognize domestic duck food.

I would call a wildlife rehabilitator and get it into experienced hands as soon as possible.

If you have an unbreakable mirror that might help calm it down. If it is jumping around so much, be careful how you offer water. You don't want it dehydrated, but you don't want it to catch a chill from getting everything wet.

Mercy. Glad you are caring for it, hope a wildlife person checks in soon.

 

[Haunted55]

I would not, as you don't know the status of its health (don't want to infect the mallards).

If you can give it water and food, that would be good. Wish I knew more about what you have. Might it be a grebe? Do you have a photo? Regarding food, it may need something like worms, I doubt it would recognize domestic duck food.

I would call a wildlife rehabilitator and get it into experienced hands as soon as possible.

If you have an unbreakable mirror that might help calm it down. If it is jumping around so much, be careful how you offer water. You don't want it dehydrated, but you don't want it to catch a chill from getting everything wet.

Mercy. Glad you are caring for it, hope a wildlife person checks in soon.

Can you post a picture? I agree with Amiga about putting it in with your Mallards. Maybe near but not "in". Meal worms would be my choice for first feed as it would be something more to it's liking. You could give your regular duck feed with some meal worms on top to entice it to eat the grain. I would also use a chick waterer with marbles in the base. They're bright and shiny and the poor little thing should be attracted to them and so drink. Maybe an addition of a good vitamin in the water as well to make sure everything is covered.

 

[JJRS]

Woodies jump a lot for about the first week after hatching. Judging from the title of the post I guess you already had the idea it was a Woodie. I would recommend getting it to a rehab, there is no reason to jeopardize your other birds.