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05/28/2007 10:33:24 PM · #1 |
D= Somebody help me!
I don't know what to feed it..
Or where to put it..
It's in a large birdcage with a shallow dish of water and rolled oats mixed with fish flakes and turtle food. I haven't seen it eat, but it hates me.. It doesn't do anything around me.
It did swim in the water and drink a little..
It's under a heatlamp..
I'm using a small fleece blanket as bedding..
What more can I do, guys? |
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05/28/2007 10:34:52 PM · #2 |
By the way, this is what he/she looks like..
It's definitely a mallard.. |
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05/28/2007 10:41:40 PM · #3 |
We have many ducks in our lake. These babies will usually eat any kind of "catfish food" or bread. However, they may not eat out of a bowl! You may have to put him in a pool or something and throw some food in.
A Petsmart or Petco may be able to help you with some kind of "duck chow".
KS
Originally posted by Beautiful-Joe:
D= Somebody help me!
I don't know what to feed it..
Or where to put it..
It's in a large birdcage with a shallow dish of water and rolled oats mixed with fish flakes and turtle food. I haven't seen it eat, but it hates me.. It doesn't do anything around me.
It did swim in the water and drink a little..
It's under a heatlamp..
I'm using a small fleece blanket as bedding..
What more can I do, guys? |
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05/28/2007 10:43:06 PM · #4 |
Birdseed should probably be fine. They typical forage in the grass for seeds etc. I would recommend contacting fish and wildlife (or the US equivalent). Make sure you try not to handle it too much as your scent will get on it. Ducks are really good about taking care of orphans. Its a little tough to watch but after a while the mother duck will take the little guy in.
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05/28/2007 10:43:45 PM · #5 |
I don't really know. But what do you think killed 'em all?
That's really sad, wish I had some decent advise.
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05/28/2007 10:46:06 PM · #6 |
Whenever I go to the bird sanctuary they sell bird seed to feed the ducks with. The ducks gobble that stuff up.
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05/28/2007 10:48:03 PM · #7 |
| I hate to tell you this but, put it back where you got it. It is a migratory bird and it is illegal for you to capture it. Besides, whatever ate it's family may still be hungry. |
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05/28/2007 10:49:09 PM · #8 |
Citadel, the only birds with any sense of smell are vultures and eagles (to locate roadkill).. But I get what you're saying.. He seems awful fragile.
I tried cracked corn and thistle and he didn't seem to like it much, though he picked at the corn a little..
I haven't tried bread yet, but it makes sense.. I'm going to go to the hatchery tomorrow afternoon and get waterfowl feed.. I've already called my grandfather who works for the DNR, and he suggested that I take care of the duck until he can get ahold of someone more equipped than I.. |
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05/28/2007 10:51:51 PM · #9 |
David Ey, I hate to say this, but.. Omae ga daikirai desu yo.
I found one of God's handcrafted creatures wandering around alone, and I saved it from a mink/fisher/something else. If you could look at a fluffy little duck and just watch it waddle around in it's mother's blood.. I sincerely pity you, and I hope that you get some professional counseling right away.. |
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05/28/2007 10:53:32 PM · #10 |
Call the dnr. We have a group of homes that foster wild animals. Maybe they can give you a phone number of someone in your area that will take the little guy in.
Don't feed him bread. His little body will get all gunked up.
lol. you already typed what I was typing about the dnr. |
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05/28/2007 10:54:11 PM · #11 |
| I had found some baby rabbits and I was able to take it to an animal refuge or sanctuary where they were trained to take care of the animal and feed it properly. I am really proud of you for showing such care and compassion for this little animal. I have a great affection for ducks...I hope for best for you and your little friend. |
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05/28/2007 10:55:23 PM · #12 |
Unfortunately, that's nature.
If the ducks were killed due to something man did then by all means man should step in and help out.
If the ducks were killed due to being lower on the food chain than another animal then it must be left to its fate.
This is a hard lesson to learn.
Having said that, I hope you find a conservation centre or some other wildlife centre to take it in now that you've started the process of raising it.
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05/28/2007 10:55:30 PM · #13 |
David didn't mean any harm or anything harsh, I don't think. The laws about migratory birds (at least around here, don't know if that is regional or federal) are pretty strict, and he probably didn't want to see you get in trouble. Also, ducks are really good at taking care of their own
That said, it sound like you are pretty much on the right track for taking care of it. good luck
Message edited by author 2007-05-28 22:57:11. |
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05/28/2007 11:03:10 PM · #14 |
Heavens no!! Migratory foul come under FEDERAL regulation. I understand you wanting to help but......
BTW, bread is not good for them....it has no nutritional value. |
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05/28/2007 11:05:28 PM · #15 |
o_o
I have never seen a mallard migrate in my life..
If they do migrate, then Walker, MN has some pretty wacked out ducks..
We have mallards, both male and female.. All year round.. In the woods, and in the park..
But, I've already told my grandpa about it, so I don't think I'm going to get hauled away for animal capture-ment.. Or something..
Right now, I just need to know of things I can feed it. It eats the food I made, but I'm not sure how good it is for it. I don't have any of that fancy shmancy bird food right now, but I will tomorrow.. I'm concerned about protien and calcium. Will it eat earthworms or mealworms? Or even leeches or minnows?
Questions questions.. |
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05/28/2007 11:06:47 PM · #16 |
//www.liveducks.com/care.html
(I'd contact a state game and wildlife officer to be safe. You are a kindhearted person. Good luck)
What to feed your pet duck
This is our recommendation for a domestic duck diet, based on input from Avian Veterinarians, Wildlife Rehabbers and Ducksperts all over the globe. We list food choices that are readily available to consumers.
Avoid commercial diets designed to grow ducks fast for meat or commercial egg production. These diets often contain medications that prevent communicable diseases in large duck communities, and may be harmful to your duck. NOTE: Most newer formulations have improved - still best to be cautious.
Ducks do well on non-medicated pelleted mash as a staple, supplemented with fresh vegetable trimmings, chopped hard-boiled eggs, tomatoes, cracked corn (keep out of ponds if you have fish), garden snails (NOT if you use snail bait or pesticides), worms, night crawlers, bloodworms... They enjoy floating coy food occasionally. Most items are available at pet and grocery stores.
Protein levels are very important to your duck's stage of growth.
Ducklings need starter feed with 20-22% protein for 3 weeks.
Adolescents do best on 16% protein.
Adult ducks need 16-18% when they are laying and 14-16% if they aren't laying. A/P Lay mash is excellent for adult ducks.
Too much protein can cause a condition called "Angel Wing" where the feathers on the wings protrude upwards. Too little can cause nutritional deficiencies and serious health problems. Cracked corn is a popular and inexpensive food for ducks. It contains half of the protein a duck needs to stay healthy.
Keep fresh non-medicated drinking water close to the food supply. Ducks do not have teeth to chew, they wash it down with water.
Acceptable Treats: Ours love scrambled eggs, tomatoes and finely chopped lettuce. Hardboiled eggs are good, including the ones they lay themselves. The eggs are hardboiled, cooled then chopped finely with the shell on. Sharon Demeola heats the shells in the oven until crisp, then grinds the shells into a fine consistency.
Humans may consume duck eggs as long as they are fresh.
Ducks love earthworms, meal worms, slugs, bugs and live snails with the shell on.
Never feed ducks bread, bread products, popcorn, chips or "junk food" that offers no nutritional value. These foods are extrmemly damaging to your duck. Ducks eat the bad stuff first, ignoring the healthy foods they need.
Seeds and seeded breads are very bad for ducks. Seeds can cause painful digestive problems. Chocolate can be fatal (just as in dogs). Although ducks appear to enjoy treats of almost every variety, junk food causes malnutrition and leads to death in a surprisingly short time. A poorly fed duck will literally drown in its own fat, though you will not notice any outward physical signs. You will however notice sluggishness and aggressive behavior when they aren't eating right. Ducks should eat ONLY their staple food
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05/28/2007 11:08:44 PM · #17 |
No one's going to come after you for rescuing an abandoned baby animal. It may not be legal to "capture" or keep one as a pet, but intention definitely comes into play as to how authorities handle it. Case in point, a co-worker recently rescued an abandoned fox kit. When she called the vet to see about how to handle it, she was told that it's illegal to keep as a pet since it's considered state property, but that the vet knew of a wildlife rehabilitation center in the area that would be able to handle the abandoned baby. Contact a local veterinarian and ask what you should do. They'll know.
Message edited by author 2007-05-28 23:10:51.
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05/28/2007 11:10:37 PM · #18 |
Here's some reading material.
Duck Facts
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05/28/2007 11:45:08 PM · #19 |
I don't even want it as a pet.
;-;
I don't even want it at all.
I just don't want it to die..
It bothers me.. I know what it feels like to be wandering around alone without parents watching me. And it doesn't feel good. What feels even worse is when people walk by you and they don't care that you're alone and you have nowhere to sleep or no food to eat..
But, I will call the vet tomorrow if the folks at the hatchery don't tell me all I need to know.. |
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05/28/2007 11:54:38 PM · #20 |
It bothers me.. I know what it feels like to be wandering around alone without parents watching me. And it doesn't feel good. What feels even worse is when people walk by you and they don't care that you're alone and you have nowhere to sleep or no food to eat..
yay Joe!!!.... empathy can be painful, but it is one of the most beautiful traits we can have as humans! and he's cute, you done good!!
~SiSi
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05/28/2007 11:57:28 PM · #21 |
some good info there riversong. We ended up with mallard ducks after a terrible wind storm blinded them for a bit with sand. My brother and sister took them in during the storm and they refused to leave afterwards. We also raised rabbits and chickens so I think they felt right at home lol. They ate anything they could find in the yard and garden, I don't think we had bug problems for years, well except for the flies from their smelly poop lol. We even put an old bathtub in the yard for them to bath and play in. (yes we were redneck before redneck was cool lol)
I'm sure you can give them worms and other bugs but I would think you would have to mush them a bit like a mother bird does for it's baby. You shouldn't have to chew it long before giving it to them...just kidding, just probably chop them a bunch. I'd go with worms and other bugs in the yard and maybe even some mealworms or crickets.
Our eventually reproduced but we lost most of the babies when they couldn't get out of the tub...sorry...We ended up putting bricks in there on one end so they could climb on and out. They were a great pets and while not as good of a watchdog as geese or an actual dog, they were pretty good at letting us know when something was wrong outside....plus the eggs were great too. :D
Good luck on your endeavors, hope it doesn't turn to be a wild goose chase...lol...oh stop booing, you know someone had to use a pun eventually
Message edited by author 2007-05-28 23:58:41. |
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05/29/2007 12:17:27 AM · #22 |
I highly appreciate all of the care information and dietery information.. It really really helps. This little one MUST be hungry after running around alone for so long.. I think he's just insulting my cooking.
=P
I'll go find him some nightcrawlers now considering it is night..
Thanks alot, guys. |
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05/29/2007 12:21:33 AM · #23 |
I think you have a very wonderful heart!
Good luck on finding someone to help you.
I once found an injured red wing black bird and I took it to a lady that just lived in the woods and helped
out anyone that found any injured wild animal. When I called to ask if she could take the bird, she replied that she only wanted enough bird feed to get him through a couple of weeks. I was glad to help with that and I even made a donation. I wish there were more folks out there in the world like you! I admire you for your tenacity in finding someone to help.
Keep up the great work!
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05/29/2007 12:22:53 AM · #24 |
I've done nothing good or out of the ordinary.. Believe me.
I just have a soft spot for orphaned critters.. |
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05/29/2007 12:47:38 AM · #25 |
Just for the record, I've seen orphaned ducks (plural) get adopted by another duck. The mother was ran over on the Deerfoot here in Calgary (a particularly busy major road). City police were notified about the ducklings and an officer put the whole flock in his trunk to take down to the park by the river. The first few minutes were tough to watch because the mother duck actually pushed the little guys away at first. After a few minutes, she took them in.
Apparently it happens a couple of times a year which is really sad. (That is, ducklings are orphaned a couple of times a year)
Message edited by author 2007-05-29 00:48:23.
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