baby ducks--what do I do??

[Lizard Queen]

They hopped into my garage chirping as soon as I got home.  Called a vet and they said to stick them outside so they'll chirp for their mom.  They didn't chirp.  Now what do I do? I don't want to raise ducklings.

[Deleted]

Jun 18, 2015 17:10:03 GMT -5 Lizard Queen said:

They hopped into my garage chirping as soon as I got home.  Called a vet and they said to stick them outside so they'll chirp for their mom.  They didn't chirp.  Now what do I do? I don't want to raise ducklings.

Bring them here. I think I know a duck mom that will adopt them.

[milee]

I'm the wrong one to ask. I'm not only a softie with things like this, but I love baby ducks. So I've ended up being mama duck probably a half dozen times over the years when the mom isn't around.  So yeah, um, if you don't want to raise ducklings... I got nothing.   

[dannylion]

The mama duck might have been flattened by a semi, in which case the baby ducklings will need someone to care for them.

If mama duck doesn't turn up pretty soon, you could try to find a local wildlife rescue organization to take them.  The animal control department might be able to recommend resources.

[Lizard Queen]

I put them into a little box, tipped on its side, and put a lamp on it.  I've got a teeny little water bowl for them.

I would love to hand them off to someone who wants them.  Taking care of kids + my mom is all I can handle right now.

[Lizard Queen]

Jun 18, 2015 17:18:29 GMT -5 dannylion said:

The mama duck might have been flattened by a semi, in which case the baby ducklings will need someone to care for them.

If mama duck doesn't turn up pretty soon, you could try to find a local wildlife rescue organization to take them.  The animal control department might be able to recommend resources.

Local animal control only cares about dogs, and they list animal removal people.  Hmm, now I'm thinking about a group I've heard about....

[Deleted]

Check Facebook for a rescue group.

[Lizard Queen]

DH has tried to call different places. He hasn't gotten through to anyone.  What do baby ducks even eat?

[ArchietheDragon]

First you have to get a long tube.  Then stick it down the ducks throat and force feed it until the liver is giant and tender.

[dannylion]

They eat bugs and stuff from the bottom of ponds, though I expect it is probably possible to buy Purina Baby Duckling Chow.

Also, if you keep them, you're going to have to teach them to swim. And fly.

[Peace Of Mind]

1.  Ignore Archie. 
2.  Check with local Bird/Wildlife Sanctuaries in your area.
3.  Check with local zoos.
4.  Be a Duck Mommy!!! 
5.  Give them to MPL.   She's a great Chicken Mommy. 

[milee]

Jun 18, 2015 17:56:34 GMT -5 dannylion said:

 

Also, if you keep them, you're going to have to teach them to swim.  

Not a problem.  They're chubby enough that they naturally float (adorable!!!) and they'll paddle their feet instinctively.  When they're little, you can give them a little swim time in your kitchen sink or the bathtub.  Again - super cute.

I never did teach mine to fly.  Guess I'm a bad duck mommy. 

[wyouser]

Ducks! The only fowl when done for soup, who come with their own "quackers!"

[dannylion]

And you must teach them duck lore. And to sing the songs of their people.

There is much to be considered before taking up duck husbandry.

[Anne_in_VA]

You guys are hilarious!

[mmhmm]

Jun 18, 2015 20:31:58 GMT -5 dannylion said:

And you must teach them duck lore. And to sing the songs of their people.

There is much to be considered before taking up duck husbandry.

You do not, however, have to teach them to poop the results of their feeding. That, I know!

[Cookies Galore]

Jun 18, 2015 17:53:55 GMT -5 ArchietheDragon said:

First you have to get a long tube.  Then stick it down the ducks throat and force feed it until the liver is giant and tender.

Your delightful brand of deadpan humor has gone too far!

[Virgil Showlion]

Jun 18, 2015 17:10:03 GMT -5 Lizard Queen said:

They hopped into my garage chirping as soon as I got home.  Called a vet and they said to stick them outside so they'll chirp for their mom.  They didn't chirp.  Now what do I do? I don't want to raise ducklings.

I've got a solution for you, but it involves a duck suit, eighteen months, ...

[Virgil Showlion]

Jun 18, 2015 17:53:55 GMT -5 ArchietheDragon said:

First you have to get a long tube.  Then stick it down the ducks throat and force feed it until the liver is giant and tender.

If life gives you ducklings, make duckmonade.

[Opti]

Jun 18, 2015 17:10:03 GMT -5 Lizard Queen said:

They hopped into my garage chirping as soon as I got home.  Called a vet and they said to stick them outside so they'll chirp for their mom.  They didn't chirp.  Now what do I do? I don't want to raise ducklings.

Call around and find a wildlife rehab or bird center. They might take them.

How big are they? Do you know what kind of duck they might be? (Willing to take pics with your phone and post?)

[Lizard Queen]

They started chirping, so I asked DH to set them out front and watch them.  They ran away from home. 

[Opti]

Jun 18, 2015 20:31:58 GMT -5 dannylion said:

And you must teach them duck lore. And to sing the songs of their people.

There is much to be considered before taking up duck husbandry.

If they are simple Mallards, there is not much duck lore, except find people like Optimist to feed you.

Both Dad I have pics of Mallards from our old backyard. So I could do duck husbandry, but I know Mom would not approve.

[Opti]

Jun 18, 2015 21:38:17 GMT -5 Lizard Queen said:

They started chirping, so I asked DH to set them out front and watch them.  They ran away from home. 

How do you know where home is? Where is the nearest body of water, i.e. creek, pond, etc. ?

[CCL]

Maybe they found their Momma?

[Lizard Queen]

Jun 18, 2015 21:42:17 GMT -5 Opti said:

Jun 18, 2015 21:38:17 GMT -5 Lizard Queen said:

They started chirping, so I asked DH to set them out front and watch them.  They ran away from home. 

How do you know where home is? Where is the nearest body of water, i.e. creek, pond, etc. ?

I meant my home.  I had gone to my mom's, and then to the store to see if they had any crumbles for them to eat.

There's a bigger lake about a mile to the South.  Little, tiny, creeks are a bit closer, but nothing very close by.  I was wondering if they were using a backyard pond somewhere around.  . There was a spot that contains rain runoff that's pretty full right now.  Do they like swampy type of areas?

[Opti]

Jun 18, 2015 21:52:36 GMT -5 Lizard Queen said:

Jun 18, 2015 21:42:17 GMT -5 Opti said:

How do you know where home is? Where is the nearest body of water, i.e. creek, pond, etc. ?

I meant my home.  I had gone to my mom's, and then to the store to see if they had any crumbles for them to eat.

There's a bigger lake about a mile to the South.  Little, tiny, creeks are a bit closer, but nothing very close by.  I was wondering if they were using a backyard pond somewhere around.  . There was a spot that contains rain runoff that's pretty full right now.  Do they like swampy type of areas?

I am not up on my current duck lore.  Depends on the type ducks, your type of area... Mallards, which I'm the most familiar with, should prefer creeks and ponds. I grew up near a creek. Geese(goslings) are more opportunistic. They will nest in office complexes and possibly lay eggs by rain runoff areas.

Slightly OT, but the Great Swamp in NJ is home to various waterfowl. I think I found something I should do to take a break from work.   Since my back hurts, I'll be going to the easy access observation areas.

[milee]

Not sure what types of ducks you have up there, but around here if they're all yellow they'll grow up to be those pure white ducks that we call (slang) Peking ducks. Mallards are yellow with grey/brown stripes that are a nice pattern. If they're mottled colors or look like they have patches of colors, they're Muscovies.

[mroped]

They'll eat anything that a bird eats: worms, seeds, crickets, hoppers. Also bread crumbs or pick at your vegetable garden when you don't look. <img text="" alt=" " src="http://images.proboards.com/new/smiley.png"><br>But if they left there is a very slim chance that they'll come back.<br>They could attach themselves to an adoptive mother and her litle flock or if they run into even to a hen and her chicks.<br>Unprotected by a mother figure they have no chance at surviving!

[weltschmerz]

Jun 18, 2015 20:31:58 GMT -5 dannylion said:

And you must teach them duck lore. And to sing the songs of their people.

There is much to be considered before taking up duck husbandry.

You also have to teach them to fly south in formation. That could be problematic.

LL, do you own hang-gliding equipment?

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

Jun 18, 2015 20:31:58 GMT -5 dannylion said:

And you must teach them duck lore. And to sing the songs of their people.

There is much to be considered before taking up duck husbandry.

POTD, IMHO.