warning: about a dead duckling

[alexxiscavender]

i know the title sounded pretty bad but i had no other way to put it. this morning, i went outside to feed the ducks, i got them the beginning of march, they are indian runners. when i went out, i found a baby ducklings probably 10 feet from their cage, i immediately brought it in and tried to save it but i think itwas too far gone . i don’t know how it got here or if my ducks had ducklings, i am just a mess right now, i have came up with 3 explanations.
1. we do live near the river, which is about 1 mile away, or less, i don’t know if this could be a wild baby duck but i don’t see how it could’ve got over here by itself i see no other signs of ducks. 2. my ducks could’ve had it but i don’t see them just having one and then not taking care of it even though they are indian runners and not the best parents, plus they are only 3 months
2. the sad one, somebody could’ve dropped their easter duck off and just left the poor thing out with the predators.
i don’t even know if this is allowed i’m sorry if it’s not but i’m going to insert a picture because i don’t know if it could be wild or not, i’m not expert on the duckling breeds. i am sorry if this isn’t allowed just trying to get some opinions i feel so so awful :,(

 

[DuckyDonna]

I think it's probably a wild mallard. Not your fault!

 

[Loopeend]

Could it be dropped by an flying predator or a cat?

Edit; it looks like a wild duckling indeed.

 

[alexxiscavender]

Could it be dropped by an flying predator or a cat?

Edit; it looks like a wild duckling indeed.

that’s what i was thinking maybe flying to the river it could’ve fell and something could’ve got it, i wish i could’ve saved the poor thing, we have seen mallards at the river around this time

 

[danceswithronin]

Wild mallard duckling, maybe got separated from its flock and was attracted to the sound of your ducks or something.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Sad you had to find the little one. Def didn’t come from yours.

 

[chickens really]

Wild Momma Ducks nest sometimes a long distance from the water and that baby possibly got separated as she was heading to a water source.

 

[Table4Six]

You did everything you could.
The duckling is a wood duck, not a mallard. Wood ducklings are extremely difficult and tricky to raise. My guess would be that it was a late hatcher and was left behind.

 

[FluffTheDuck]

Yeah it’s not from yours, probably a wild one. Don’t feel bad so sorry!!

 

[cluckmecoop7]

I'm sorry you had to go though this. Please don't .