We just rescued a little Mandarin duckling this afternoon. He was caught by a cat, but he seems OK. We have never done anything with ducks before, but we've had chickens for 6-7 years now, so I was able to set up a temporary brooder for him. He's in a tupperware container with high sides (he keeps trying to jump out). He has a shallow bowl of water and non-medicated duckling/chick feed to eat. After reading a little bit on here, I gave him a clump of grass and dirt to mess with, too.
I have no idea how to care for a duck! He seems pretty young; when do they start eating? Are they like chickens in that they absorb the yolk and don't eat for a few days after hatching? He's an active little thing, and I don't want him to starve himself because he doesn't know what the food is. He's pretty comfortable with us. I held him most of the way home, and he fell asleep in my hand after he stopped shaking. He doesn't mind being handled at all now. I don't want to hurt him by doing something that would be OK for a chicken but bad for a duck. Can anyone help? Thanks!
Also, how do you tell a male from a female, in general. Are males more active?
I have no idea how to care for a duck! He seems pretty young; when do they start eating? Are they like chickens in that they absorb the yolk and don't eat for a few days after hatching? He's an active little thing, and I don't want him to starve himself because he doesn't know what the food is. He's pretty comfortable with us. I held him most of the way home, and he fell asleep in my hand after he stopped shaking. He doesn't mind being handled at all now. I don't want to hurt him by doing something that would be OK for a chicken but bad for a duck. Can anyone help? Thanks!
Also, how do you tell a male from a female, in general. Are males more active?
hehe It's adorable!
