Help please, orphan duckling

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Anonymous

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hi
am out of my depth here as I keep a few pekins and have no experience on keeping ducks. have just had a phonecall from a family member who has a baby duck that mum has left. they tried to put it with others but they just attack it so asked me to take it. now I'm a bit soft and can't see any harm come to it so am picking it up after tea. I have heat lamp to keep it warm and have chick food is this ok for a duck? if not what do I need to feed it. also will it need water to paddle in or can that wait till its older? any advice very welcome please
 
Hello, don't give it chick crumbs- only if there non medicated-you need duck or goose crumbs- as for water a shallow dish would be good- be warned :D they are very messy :) but very cute- if its already been with mum it will have some waterproofing as they get it from mum when they hatch but dont give it water deep enough to drown in-make sure it can get out of whatever container you have water in. Is it going back to join your friends when older? It's not really fair to keep a lone duck- they like some company of their own kind- let us know how you get on and please ask for any advice- good luck
regards, David :)
 
thanks. is there anything I may have in the house as won't be able to buy duck food until tommorrow? know its not ideal. haven't thought as far as where it will go when older just can't see the little thing die. will find it a home when its old enough.
 
i really wouldnt worry about the chick crumbs, ive been feeding my ducklings on medicated chick crumbs for years and have never had any problem .. what is the idea behind not feeding ducks chick crumbs?
 
Hi. thank you for all the advice but after seeing it, it was a wild duck and only a day or two old as still had egg tooth. I thought it best to drop it in to our local RSPCA centre as would not be fair to try and raise it on its own. all it did was cry for its family. the woman at the centre said they have some about the same age so hopefully he will be happier with company and the right food.would of loved to of kept it myself as was a cute little chap.
 
Hi, you can feed chick crumbs if they are not medicated with ACS - most are some aren't- thats why they make duck and goose crumb-no medication- chicks only peck at the feed- ducks and goslings shovel it down- and can overdose.
regards David :)
 
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