My younger brother found a duckling!

[LittleLionLover]

Well this morning The only thing I was thinking of was staying inside my nice warm cozy bed. But unfourtunately it was not to be. My father brought me into the kitchen and said "your the one who wants to be a vet what should we do" Mind you im half asleep and when i finally focused i saw the little fluff in the cluthes of my enthusiastic 3 yr old little brother. As of now I let her swim around a bowl of water and clean herself off. Tried cleaning out her mouth out a bit, and removed tape and other derpis from her coat and mouth. She was found in the gutter and im worried I have no idea where to start and the thought of this poor girl being euthanized is not one i'd like to imagine. So if anyone has suggestions or info that could be useful to her care i'd appreciate it very much!

 

[AJA]

Ha ha, welcome to the world of animal rescue Go get some duck feed from the feed store not the grocery store. Ducky will need high protien to grow. Provide Ducky with some water to bath, drink and poop in (not necessarily in that order). Make sure Ducky is safe from preditors, i.e. the cat. Lock said Baby Brother in his room for the rest of the week with nothing but bread and water until he repents.

 

[LittleLionLover]

If only i could I had to stand by and watch him almost strangle her but I've got to try and be patient. The woes of such a large age gap makes me wonder why have kids so late lol but thankyou for your input I appreciate it.

 

[LittleLionLover]

Here are some picks. Though im sure many of you know what a duckling looks like their still to cute so i though id share.

 

[AJA]

I don't think a Petco is going to have what you need but you can always ask. Read the care sheet below.


http://www.phelpswaterfowl.com/Duckling_Care.htm


Ducklings need a 20% protien and non medicated. Do you have any farms nearby or a wildlife rescue?

How about some canned corn to start off with?

 

[LittleLionLover]

I think I'll start with the corn. Luckily I found a couple feed stores close by im hopeing that they'll carry the food I need for her , or really it, im not actually sure but thankyou so much you've given me a good starting point.

 

[AJA]

If they don't carry duck food, ask them for game bird or turkey food, but make sure it is NON MEDICATED or you will kill the duckling. Get as close to 20% protien as you can. Have fun Momma Duck... ha haha ahhahha ah ha

Oh, and they are very, very messy, so when you put in water either keep it shallow or put some rocks in there or they will climb in it and have a party. If the feed store sells you those plastic waterers, put it up a bit so it isn't ground level, because the duckling will try to crawl in the water, they can't help themselves.

On the other hand, you must have water with them at all times. They will also like dandelion greens and freshly pulled grass (not the stuff from lawn mowers) and not pesticides!

 

[LittleLionLover]

Lol okay. Curious though the corn seems a bit big for her and she seems very uninterested should i crush it a bit? I was thinking of getting a hand feeder of sorts9similar to a dropper, maybe it'd help start her off.The pollution here is terrible so im guessing it mightve gotten her sick. Right now shes infatuated with a towel and simply wants to curl up and ignore everything but im not sure if shes simply tired or if shes dehydrated, shes not very active.

 

[AJA]

Be sure that she is warm, very warm, bird's temperature are in the 100s. So put a light over her or a heating pad if you have one. Provide water for her and show her what it is, you will have to dip her bill in it. Smash the corn a little bit and offer it to her. You are now the momma duck and have to show her everything new. Dip the corn in the water for more liquid.

You can check if she is dehydrated by 'gently' pinching the back of her neck to see if the skin sticks or if it goes back quickly. Sticky skin means dehydration. If you happend to have Pedialyte, give that to her instead of water.

You can also 'talk' to her in a whispered peep since that is what she knows.

Sounds like she has had a long day, you have no idea how long she was on her own before your brother found her. Let her sleep if she wants but keep her dry and warm.

Good luck with this. Be prepared that she may not make it either.

IF she does make it, do not put her on newspaper, it will splay her legs and she can develop what is called spraddle leg. She will need shavings.

 

[LittleLionLover]

any specific kind of shavings? I know some animals don't do well with certains kinds. Im more knowledgable with herps not fowl unfourtunately. Shes swimming in the tub right now, much more chipper then before. How could I present the food to her I believe my brother scared her with his grip so she prefers not to be near me. I guessing you've had some experience with this sort of thing probably been another poor ducklings "momma" of sorts.

 

[AJA]

Any shaving but cedar, just like herps. Just smoosh the food and put it near the water dish, she will dab the water and then the food. You can even tap your finger on the food and make quacking noises to tell her this is what you eat (chickens fall for this) . You can even try to hand feed her and see if she will take it, they are very curious.

Yes, I can understand being traumatized by a three year old Easy on the loud noises and rough handling. Put yourself in her place.

I raised a few ducklings now and then.

You probably don't want to buy a 50 lb of feed, so ask the feed store before you go over there and waste your time/gas/money if they have a broken sack to sell you a couple of pounds or at a discount.

Try to find a wildlife rehab for her so she can grow up with other ducklings and go out into the world, otherwise you might find yourself with a pet duck. She might not leave you as long as she knows there is food and safety, she also may not forage as well in the wild after living the Life of Riley with you.

 

[LittleLionLover]

I think I found the reason as to why she was so weak. I felt arond her neck and at one point it felt almost like it caved it. I believe it might've been fractured or broken. She was swimming fine then all of a sudden she was swaying and couldn't swim upright so i took her out of the tub and put her back in the towel and wrapped her up so she'd be warm. At the moment she was just peeping. . . and moving in the towel. . . and when i went to check on her she just closed her eyes and then she just shook. . . she died in my hands. I've had her for barely a few hours and shes died. It's expectd but unfourtunate and I hadn't believed if it were to happen it'd be this soon. . .

 

[insert name here]

Im so sorry to hear that. It has to be the most difficult thing to have something die in your hands. We all know that you did your best for it and would have done so much more if you could. R.I.P.

 

[LittleLionLover]

It's something I have to learn to cope with, if I want to study veterinary medicine unfourtunately. You do what you can,as much as you can, sometimes they make it sometimes they don't regardless theres always a lesson to be learned. But thankyou for the help and the condolences. I just wish I could have found her sooner maybe she wouldv'e stood a chance. Jersey is so dirty and polluted though, at least where im located, you've got to be hardy and strong to make it and the poor little dear just didn't stand much of a chance. But it was an experience. Thanks again I appreciate the help and on a happier note at least ill be better equipped the next time should something like this occur.