I walked across the street because I saw one of the many stray cats in my neighborhood poking around a bush...When I got to the driveway I realized it was a baby mallard duckling...SO cute. We are not sure what to do with it at this point..I've been on the internet to see if I could get a contact but because it is Memorial Day no one is around. I have two phone calls into two different places...Not just waiting to hear back from them. FH took pics on his phone...If I can I'll try to upload them and post...It is the cutest thing I have ever seen! (and so random since I live in Bellmore by a train station...not normal to find ducklings here!)
ETA: OK...got the pics...You girls are going to die when you see how cute he/she is!
UPDATE: A big thank you to Jessica (KiTTeN0819), another LIW bride, who offered her services last night. Mike and I drove our duckling, which we had named Lucky, out east to Jessica who is now giving him the proper care he deserves. She explained to me that the wildlife rescue organization she works for recently rescued 11 ducklings so our little guy will join them. This is a great thing since I learned from all of the reading yesterday that ducklings love companionship. I also want to thank all of the girls on LIW for your quick response and assistance in giving me information about foods, etc....You girls are so great and without LIW I wouldn't have been able to take care of Lucky so quickly. Thanks so much!!!
Aw, that's so sad! I hope you find someone who can take care of the duck. I wish I could help.
Two Peas
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Re: NWR...I rescued a duckling today!
I think these people that we called will come through....I just hope they call back within the next 24 hours...What do you feed a duckling?
Dougs Girl
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Re: NWR...I rescued a duckling today w/ pics
That is a wonderful thing you did. I hope the people you call come through...until then I found this: Hope it's of some help. General Care: When you are finding a place for them to live, remember young ducklings will swim a little but they prefer to spend most of their time in a warm dry place. The pen you select should be large enough so the ducklings and chicks will have room to grow.
When it comes time to feed your chicks and ducklings, you should put a pan under the water dish as the ducklings will play in the water and get the bedding wet if there isn't a pan beneath it. A chick feeder will be a good source for the feed. The feed should be a commercial feed that supplies the right amount of energy, proteins, and vitamins.
Baby chicks and ducklings will need heat for the first few weeks. A 100 or 150-watt bulb will provide enough heat for a few chicks or ducklings. It is a good idea to have two separate heat lamps in the pen in case one of the bulbs burns out in the night. You can raise the heat lamp in a few weeks as the birds get larger and require less heat.
Baby chicks and ducklings need a hard surface to lay and walk on for the first week that they are born. You can switch to crushed corn cobs or pine wood shavings after that. The corn cobs or wood pine shavings will give an appropriate surface for the chicks and ducklings as well as soak up any water that they may have spilled.
Finally, always handle your chicks or ducklings with care. Birds in general have hollow bones. Hollow bones are much lighter than regular bones and help birds fly, but they are also very fragile, meaning they break easily. Accordingly, you must never squeeze or hug your baby chicks and ducks.
Two Peas
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Re: NWR...I rescued a duckling today w/ pics
I am not prepared at all to take care of this duckling and do not have food for it...What do you think I can get for it to eat.....All of the stores are closed?
chrispar
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Re: NWR...I rescued a duckling today w/ pics
Oh my god how cute!!! I am so glad that you did that. I wish I had advice for you on what to do but I have no idea
040508Bride
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Re: NWR...I rescued a duckling today w/ pics
awww omg so cute!!! imagine if they could stay that small?!?!
Two Peas
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Re: NWR...I rescued a duckling today w/ pics
If it stayed that small I would keep it! Just can't imagine having a full grown duck living in my house! haha
I read that you can give it fruit if it is mashed up...is that true?
I had moss in my backyard so I put that in water and gave it to him
Two Peas
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Re: NWR...I rescued a duckling today w/ pics
Posted by jeanne08
You can call Volunteers for Wildlife! (true they may not be in due to the holiday but leave a message for them)
I did call them (and email them) but they were unavailable! Of course this has to happen on Memorial Day weekend.
jeanne08
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KiTTeN0819
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Re: NWR...I rescued a duckling today w/ pics
I work at a wildlife rescue. We are called Second Chance Wildlife Rescue. We are out in Suffolk County, but if you can get it out here I can take it. FM me if you would like to set something up.
Where are you in Suffolk? I would be willing to drive it out to you tonight. I know this sounds ridiculous to ask but you do release it right? Someone told me that because ducks are overpopulated some places put them down instead of releasing them.
THanks
KiTTeN0819
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Re: NWR...I rescued a duckling today w/ pics
We will raise it with all the other babies we have right now and if we are able to release it we do, if not one of our rehabbers has a farm with a pond that we release it too.
