Wild Mallard Ducklings

[~Wind~]

Just an update, they are eating and drinking. They knock the food out of the feeder and then run and chase it, once they have a peice of food they run to the water dish for a drink. So things are going okay.

 

[La Mike]

 

[corrae]

I'm sort of in the same boat.... Last night the dog brought me a tiny duckling--completely unharmed--and we are no where near water. No trees (so no wood ducks?) and I've got a solo baby on my hands. I've got it warm in a box w/shavings, it knows about the water--my main concern is food. I've not seen it eat, though I was trying to tempt it with some scrambled egg, and it did take a couple tiny pieces, not nearly enough to keep it going though. I have chickens, so I know a little about fowl, and had ducks when I was a child, but I've never done anything like this... Any suggestions? We are sure the dog brought the duck in from the hay field, which has not yet been cut. I've walked through the most likely spots (the dog is a mini dachshund and the hay is tall--we don't think she went too far) and can find nothing.... ARGH!!!! Help, anyone??

 

[xke4]

~Wind~ :

Thats a great idea! Also I am in Eastern Ontario.

I have someone in Rousseau, one Napanee, Trenton and Midland. Are you close to any of those?​

 

[La Mike]

Corrae If you can post a pic we can help you better. Otherwise does it look like the one in this thread. If not then generally feed it like a baby chick and you should be ok.

 

[~Wind~]

The closest of those would be trenton but thats about 3 hours from me.

 

[corrae]

Here's the best I can do--I *think* it's a mallard, but what the heck???? We've seen ZERO ducks around our place, ever--none flying in or out, nothing. The only thing I can think of is maybe my neighbors have mallards and one wandered over and made a nest? Sheesh. I'm so worried about the little guy--just want it to survive so I can let it go when it's ready. PS--I realize it looks as though I'm squeezing it to death, but I really am holding it very gently--it zips away if I let go....

 

[La Mike]

Ok I do believe you also have a woody. Does the line at the eye start from the beak or back of the eye. I cant really very well in the pick. Mallard starts from the beak and runs through the eye. Woody starts at the back of the eye.

 

[corrae]

Line starts at beak. Plus mine has yellow markings on body--unlike the wood ducklings Wind posted originally. Will this guy be okay on his own? What about eating--is he doing it when I'm not around?

 

[La Mike]

Yea couldnt tell color there either. Most likely you will be fine just feed it like it was a baby chick and make sure it stay warm and the watere is 1 it cant get its body in to get too wet or drown