What should I do with this baby duck??

Question

My patio doors were open and a baby duck has just wandered in.

There are no other ducks around anywhere, & I was worried about it getting eaten by foxes in the night (I live out in the country) so I've put it in a big cardboard box with some bedding, water & bread.

Any ideas what I should do with it tommorrow? Let it go free to take its chances, or let it wander in my garden, feed it & wotnot?

It's about the size of a fist, so I have no idea how old it is.

Any help/direction greatly appreciated !!

(don't suggest cooking it - my 'hilarious' husband just suggested that.)

Answer 1

YES.keep it as a pet.go on the internet,about how you care for it.mary.c.

Answer 2

Dude a little salt and pepper and your set! LOL no no I'm joking what about an animal shelter?

Answer 3

A baby duck will probably  not survive on its own.  I have rescued 9 mallards in the past.  It takes about 12 weeks til they can fly and then be safe from predators.  I don't think it'll eat bread.  It needs duck mash or pellets mixed with water.  Keep it inside in a large box with newspaper or towel on bottom.  Babies like real feather dusters to sleep with.  Duck food can be purchased from a feed store.  Have fun.  They are great.  If you have just one it will follow you around and be your best friend

Answer 4

Keep till it's older and it can survive on it's own and let go in a creek or river

Answer 5

I'd keep it as a pet duck :-) When it gets bigger though it'll need a run to stop it getting eatan, a large rabbit hutch and run should suffice. It sounds to be a month or so old, can you get to a store to get it some proper food? Bread isn't that good, get some wheat or something. Ask your pet shop, some bird food should suffice until you get something else. Make sure it has access to water for bathing, at it's age a washing up bowl will be enough but a bath may be more suited when it is older!! Good luck with quacky :-)

Answer 6

Take it to your local vet.

Answer 7

Love midnights answer - I'd love to have ducks in my garden !!

If its not your thing contact the RSPCA or if you have a local vet, give them a call. my vet gets all sorts come through the door not just domestic animals (the last time i went with my dogs someone had handed a bat in) - they will know someone to help to help the poor little thing.

Answer 8

look after it feed it with baby porridges and when it gets bigger keep it ducks dont take up lots of room or shove it out on the streets no please keep it get it a chocken house feed it on bread and the grass in your garden and water

Answer 9

raise it if you want, my step mom had one that she found abandoned. She raised it from a box and everything was fine until my step-sister ran it over on accedent :-)

Answer 10

You are right about foxes , but also rats , cats , dogs , stoats , and mink will prey on this duckling , hawks from above too , a fist size it could be up to 2 weeks old , if you wish to keep it you will need to make something stronger than a cardboard box , also it will take to you very quickly , letting it go out on its own is signing its death warrant , keep it until older and then release it near water where other ducks are

Answer 11

contact the RSPCA

Answer 12

I would phone the RSPB in the morning and see if they have any advice for you.

Answer 13

Generally, she wouldn't just wander in so it is worrying.  Find something to put her in overnight, like a rabbit hutch or just a deep cardboard box on its side with a black sack over it, and get plenty of bedding, either sawdust or towels.  If its still there in the morning you'd better take it in to a shelter.  If its just a little'un its mother should be nearby - time will tell.

Answer 14

Check local ponds and water, there might be a chance the mother would take it back, though it's possible the mother was killed, as a duckling should not be wandering around on its own. They can get left behind, particularly if the mother takes them across a road and one fails to jump up the kerb.

If you do raise it yourself, you will end up with a tame duck, best thing would be to get it into the hands of a wildlife organisation, as if they have orphan ducklings of a similar age, they can add it to the group.

Answer 15

Get rid of the bread for a start.  It's really not that good for ducks - has no nutritional value to them at all.  You'd be better putting some cooked, cooled porridge in overnight.

In the morning I'd be trying to get hold of the RSPCA or a woldlife hospital like Tiggywinkles (that's in Bucks).  the vet may not be much help, they often don't have a clue when it comes to ducks and chooks etc.  Although you said you were out in the country so they might be better, they're not too bad around here.

If you do decide to keep it, you need to get to a animal feeds supplier (some farm shops do it too) and get either some duck crumbs or chick crumbs (easier to come by) to feed it on.

If you don't want to keep it, give it to me and I will!!  My duck is currently sitting on 10 eggs and the drake is very lonely without her wandering around - he's hanging out with a chicken!!

Answer 16

Find a wildlife rehabilatitor in your area to take care of it.

Answer 17

I Suggest an animal center

or...keep it ^^

ducklings are sooooo cute   (x

Answer 18

Give your local vet a ring and ask for suggestions.